Commercial fleet briefs: Latest from QBE, Webfleet, Snap, Rygor, AssetGo and Geotab

Euro NCAP welcomes QBE to Safer Trucks scheme

Insurance company QBE has become the first associate member to join Euro NCAP’s new Safer Trucks testing programme.

Euro NCAP launched its Safer Trucks testing programme in November last year, to create a safety standard for HGVs for the first time. 

The partnership means more action on improving commercial vehicle safety and more integrated risk management through the sharing of claims trends and HGV safety technology.

Jon Dye, director of underwriting for motor at QBE, said: “We are committed to informing Euro NCAP of the latest trends on claims so we can better inform manufacturers on what businesses need. 

“In turn, we will be able to share safety insights, forecasts, and technology trends with our insureds to help businesses create safer roads and reduce risks and claims volatility.” 

Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at Euro NCAP, added: “It is particularly meaningful to have an insurer such as QBE on board with us since their unique insight, data, and commercial clientele help get our message out whilst helping QBE optimise premiums and drive down risk.”

UK roads ranked 8th most hazardous for HGV drivers in Europe 

Great Britain has the 8th highest yearly fatal HGV collision rate in Europe, according to analysis by Snap.

The new research has revealed that Great Britain has an average of 1.13 HGV fatalities per 10,000 road miles annually. 

Using the latest data from the Department of Transport (DfT) and European Road Safety Observatory, Snap established a hazard rating system, comparing the average HGV fatality rate to the country’s total road network.  

When examining all vehicle types, the UK takes the sixth place among the most hazardous highways in Europe, followed by Lithuania in fifth place, with Romania ranking number one for the most dangerous roads with an average of 213.24  fatalities per 10,000 road miles. 

Matthew Bellamy, managing director at Snap, said: commented on the findings: “With Great Britain ranking in the top 10 most hazardous countries for drivers in Europe, the haulage industry must ensure that we are addressing these statistics and focusing on driver safety.” 

Webfleet collaborates with Krone to offer trailer telematics

Webfleet is collaborating with Krone to offer an integrated telematics solution via its OEM Connect partner programme.

Fleets can now connect their Krone trailers to the Webfleet platform via factory-fitted telematics, eliminating the need for aftermarket hardware installations. 

Webfleet trailer management features include, trip tracking, real-time location monitoring, proactive maintenance, payload management and tyre pressure monitoring.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, president fleet management solutions at Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Krone, a leading trailer manufacturer in Europe, combining truck and existing fleet data on one single platform to help even more businesses with actionable insights to maximise trailer performance.”

Maximilian Birle, managing director at Krone Digital, added: “By cooperating with Webfleet, we are offering our customers advanced telematics features with an easy-to-use interface from one of the leading fleet management solutions in Europe.”  

Rygor Group launches free online career hub

Rygor Group has announced the launch of an online ‘Career Hub’, offering job application, CV structure and interview ideas and techniques, to help individuals when applying for their dream role.

The Career Hub, which is freely accessible via Rygor Group’s website www.rygocareers.co.uk , provides interview hints, tips and good practice, alongside CV writing ideas and templates as well as access to Rygor’s digital Self-Development Journal. 

Furthermore, there are free videos to help with interview preparation, giving individuals the opportunity to practice answering questions which may come up in their own interviews and see how others may answer them. 

Kate Ruberry-Shoemack, head of people and communications at Rygor Group, said: “We understand that seeking employment can be daunting, so we want to assist people where we can, to ensure they have the best chance of success when applying for roles. 

“We want to help people ‘stand-out’ at all stages of the process, and we hope that by having access to a free resource like the ‘Rygor Career Hub’, candidates will feel confident and empowered to succeed when they apply for roles.”

Mac Plant Construction boosts efficiency with AssetGo

Mac Plant Construction is making efficiency and cost savings by switching from a paper-based system to AssetGo’s online fleet management software. 

The Cornwall-based construction company specialises in civil engineering and surfacing, covering the Southwest of England. 

Its fleet comprises two tractor units and two trailers, six mixers, two tippers and a beavertail flatbed. 

The firm adopted AssetGo’s fleet and driver compliance management system in October 2024 and immediately experienced an improvement in its operations.

Mac Plant’s transport manager, Stacey Hallett, said: “AssetGo’s fleet management system has made everything much more transparent, and I have instant access to the information I need. 

“It saves time and money too because I don’t need to wait for any physical documents such as defect sheets – everything is just available online.”

AssetGo’s software addresses core fleet activities such as daily walkaround checks, cost and accident reporting, fuel and expense tracking and tachograph analysis - among other key elements. 

Healthcare transport provider achieves 96% reduction in accident costs

Geotab has helped Hats Group improve fleet safety and reduce insurance costs through its telematics and artificial intelligence (AI) video technology. 

Since working with Geotab through official reseller Levl, Hats Group has achieved a 78% reduction in road traffic incidents and slashed related costs by 96%.

The solution, which combines Geotab's GO9 telematics devices with Lytx Surfsight AI-12 dash cameras, was deployed across Hats Group's fleet of 880 vehicles in response to escalating insurance premiums.

The integration provides real-time driver monitoring and coaching, helping the company transform its approach to fleet safety and risk management.

Jon Trotter, head of all insurance at Hats Group, said: "With Geotab, I can now get a clearer picture of any incident which takes place with one of our vehicles and manage the associated risks better than I could have done before.

"The cameras, and the ease of access to that footage on the MyGeotab platform, makes managing fleet risk so much easier.”

The impact of Geotab's solution was immediately apparent during a trial across 13 vehicles. 

In the four months before implementation, Hats Group recorded 18 incidents costing up to £35,000. 

After installing Geotab and Lytx technology, incidents dropped to just four over the same period, with costs falling to £1,500.

The MyGeotab platform has also transformed Hats Group's claims management process. In one instance, footage from the Geotab-integrated dash cameras helped achieve a split liability decision in a motorcycle collision that would have been ruled against Hats Group based on written reports alone.

Peter Barnes, head of patient transport for south-east London at Hats Group, said: "It also helps our control staff to be able to pick up on issues straight away and help drivers in real-time when they're on the road.”

The Hats Group team is now using MyGeotab's analytics to optimise vehicle utilisation and reduce fuel consumption through improved idle time management.

The company plans to further expand its use of Geotab's capabilities by implementing centralised fleet maintenance management through the MyGeotab platform.