Front, rear and cab-facing cameras are being fitted to Kwik Fit’s 200-strong fleet of mobile vans.
40 Kwik Fit Mobile vans have already been equipped and it is anticipated that the entire fleet will be fitted with the suite of cameras by the end of 2015.
The cameras record a driver’s view of the road ahead, what’s happening behind the vehicle and a technician’s in cab behaviour while driving.
Kwik Fit anticipates a range of fleet operating benefits to accrue as a result of the move including:
- A reduced risk of fraudulent insurance claims from third parties
- Improved security for technicians when on the road - earlier this year a technician was attacked at knife point in London and tyres on his van were stolen.
- Video evidence from cameras available in the event of any complaint about a technician’s driving behaviour
Allied to management information already collated from telematics technology fitted to the Mobile vans, video from the cameras will be used as a training tool as part of technicians’ performance review.
Kwik Fit fleet operations director Simon Lucas said: “Our primary reason for installing the cameras is to reduce the company’s exposure to fraudulent insurance claims.
“Unfortunately, crash for cash scams are all too frequent. However, there is clear evidence that if vehicles are fitted with video recording cameras the risk reduces.
“The company will also be able to use video evidence in the event of any bad driving complaints against our employees and if they are involved in an incident.”
The suite of cameras further adds to the range of safety technology fitted to Kwik Fit Mobile vans following the addition of telematics last year.
Telematics devices were installed to all vans with the dual aim of further improving driver behaviour on the road and boosting customer service to even higher levels via operating efficiency improvements.
Lucas said: “Mobile technicians naturally adopted a more sympathetic driving style with the introduction of telematics and the decision to install cameras into vehicles further encourages that trend.”
In the 12 months since the vehicles were equipped with telematics, average fuel efficiency across the fleet of 3.5 tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinters and Renault Masters has improved 15%.
Kwik Fit attributes the MPG improvements to a combination of technicians adopting a smoother driving style and fuel economy improvements as new vans introduced to the fleet are equipped with the very latest engine technology.
Eight company cars driven by managers responsible for Kwik Fit Mobile are to be fitted with telematics devices over the coming weeks.
The company car driven by Lucas is the first to be equipped and he said: “Kwik Fit believes it is one of the first organisations to fit telematics to company cars at management level.”
He added: “Best practice driver behaviour and the safety of all road users is important to Kwik Fit. Telematics has a role to play and having equipped the mobile vans, we are now equipping management cars. My car will be the first to be equipped so I am leading by example.”
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