vehicle tracking

By cutting costs and driving productivity, companies that make the best use of vehicle tracking have laid the foundations to become more profitable. In a time of economic uncertainty, this can bring workers a greater sense of job security.

Businesses are increasingly explaining to staff how tracking will make the business more efficient by cutting wasted fuel and improving customer service standards, adding that individual drivers also stand to gain from having the new technology installed. For instance there will be no need to fill in mileage sheets to get paid or claim expenses any more, and drivers should be dealing with happier customers – the office team can see if a driver is running late and can warn the customer in advance.

streamline productivity

The system will also give verified back up if, for example, a customer disputes whether a driver has attended a job. The benefit-in-kind tax charge on company vans for employees has soared recently from £500 to £3,500. The move means that van drivers will be forced to pay significantly more income tax – unless their employers can prove that the van is only used for business and not personal use.

track mileage

Vehicle tracking gives definitive proof of business mileage, so drivers won’t have to pay any more tax. Businesses can also reassure staff that vehicle tracking will help keep them safer and less stressed at work. There’s no need for journey planning and maps, and none of the stress of getting lost or misinterpreting instructions and going to the wrong address: drivers can concentrate on driving safely.

legal duty

Companies have a legal obligation to fulfill fundamental duty of care responsibilities to drivers. Under the Health & Safety (Offenses) Act 2008, fleet operators and their directors and managers who do not take occupational road risk management seriously could find themselves in jail. If convicted in a Crown Court, they can receive a custodial sentence of up to two years.

A breach of the Act needn’t result in a death for a prosecution to be successful. Transparency is key to ensuring that vehicle tracking systems are a hit with both bosses and staff. Once initial skepticism has been overcome, the technology is welcomed by almost all drivers especially when they have experienced at first hand how it improves their working life and their ability to do their jobs.