Brakes, the big food distributor, says it has seen a 'dramatic' reduction in accidents since specifying telematics systems in its fleet. At one operating centre in Grantham, it says the reduction amounts to 60 per cent.

Whilst improvements in driver behaviour and fuel consumption are regularly experienced by fleet operators who introduce telematics, we know of few recorded instances of such a sharp drop in accidents.

Brakes runs a predominantly Mercedes-Benz fleet (it has 1,850 vehicles in all), and has chosen the group's Daimler Fleetboard telematics system. More than 250 vehicles have so far been supplied with Fleetboard units installed, and 50 more are being retrofitted with them.

Fleetboard equipment is also being supplied on the company's next batch of 134 vehicles, which include 15-tonne Atego 1524 rigids with RVL refrigerated bodies and 21 three-axle Axor 2543 tractor units.

 

There are 52 vehicles in the Grantham fleet with the telematics system installed so far, so that implies thirty fewer accidents. Fleet operations manager Steven Bannon says the reduction is directly attributable to improvements in driving technique prompted by the system, which has also produced a 7 per cent fuel saving, with an attendant reduction in emissions.