The Pros and Cons of Cameras and Telematics for Your Fleet

April 14, 2016

When you own a vehicle fleet, knowing where your cars are and how they are driving on the roads is very important, especially when there are passengers involved. A taxi fleet has a lot of responsibility and even lives in their hands, and knowing how those vehicles drive on the road can prevent complications in the future.

Cameras record everything that happens on the road, being a neutral party in recording the day-to-day events. Like telematics, they help gain information about every vehicle in a fleet and allow you to know how the vehicles are being used.

The Advantages

Helps Improve Safety

The GPS tracking technology in telematics helps fleet owners know when drivers run into issues, and they are able to quickly communicate with local authorities to report them. If a vehicle breaks down, another one can be sent to its location in a very short time. It minimises delays and helps with company costs.

Gains Customer Trust

A taxi with telematics and cameras will appeal to customers and their safety concerns. It will prevent drivers from misleading customers into taking them through longer routes, as there is proof of such deceits. Customers will feel safer knowing that the driver is being monitored and that there is a record of everything the vehicle does while they are travelling in it. A tracking system can also be used for customers to see where their drivers are and when they’ll be arriving.

 

Reduces Insurance Costs

Companies with car fleets might pay out a lot for insurance every month. GPS trackers will allow for premium discounts, making sure you pay less. Cameras record accidents and clarify who was responsible, and it discourages potential fake accidents from scammers who want to claim accident money.

The Disadvantages

This technology has great benefits, but it also brings its downsides. Both advantages and disadvantages need to be considered when thinking about opting for them for your company.

High Technology Costs

Installing black boxes and cameras on every vehicle can be costly, not accounting for the maintenance and monitoring costs. Removing the black boxes and the cameras might also come at a cost, especially if new vehicles are brought in to replace other models regularly.

Telematics record what a vehicle does and not what a driver is doing. Drivers might have to make decisions that may be necessary to avoid accidents or other issues. However, they might feel the need to act in other, less safe ways in order to avoid having their driving recorded as dangerous.

Privacy Concerns

Disclosing personal data is always a tricky subject, as it might compromise any private details. There is the possibility of private information falling into the wrong hands and being distributed on a wide scale; knowing the exact routes of all vehicles in a fleet might also make them more susceptible to theft.

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