Reinventing Vehicle and Driver Security Through Digital Transformation

September 22nd, 2022 | by Stacey Papp, Director, Content | Posted in: Insight on Things

3 ways that automation technology increases safety and security for fleets

Reinventing Vehicle and Driver Security Through Digital Transformation

Fleet security is one of fleet manager’s many top priorities. And the data speaks for itself: the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported that 932,329 vehicles were stolen in 20211, a 6% increase over 2020 and a 17% increase since 2019.2

Let’s zero in on one particular data point: Between January 2016 and December 2018, an average of 209 vehicles were stolen every single day—and all of them had the keys or fobs left in the vehicle.3

While these stats are definitely alarming, there is good news: the right technology can help you achieve greater security, and it can do it automatically. While you’ve likely already made some important strides toward creating a safer fleet, it’s time to take it to the next level to combat theft and keep your drivers, vehicles and cargo secure.

Vehicle theft is on the rise

Step 1: Ditch the fobs and take your keys to the cloud

The first big step in your fleet security evolution starts with moving vehicle keys to the cloud. As many fleet managers know, physical keys and fobs are a theft waiting to happen for fleets, but keyless technology is a digital security system you can count on.

With keyless technology, driver verification and authentication are required before the engine of any vehicle will start. Using automated workflows, vehicles can be assigned programmatically, giving managers the ability to automatically grant and revoke access in real-time to any vehicle within the fleet.

Drivers won’t have to worry about picking up a physical key or carrying it around during deliveries—and with the help of a proximity locking solution, vehicles and cargo stay secure while drivers save valuable seconds on every delivery.

Step 2: Control driver access and optimize fleet oversight

Fleet security is twofold when it comes to your drivers. First, hiring reliable drivers starts with setting up strong screening processes that includes:

  • Criminal background checks
  • Drug/alcohol screening
  • Traffic violation screenings
  • Physical examinations

Second, vehicle access management should be a top priority for your fleet. For example, when a driver needs access to a vehicle outside of operational office hours, physical key management takes up precious time and often leads to lax security. Physical keys can be easily passed between individuals, leading to fleet managers being unaware of who is driving each vehicle at all times.

Complete oversight of vehicle access is crucial for accurate driver behavior monitoring and keeping drivers safe on the road. With the right technology integrated with driver screening and verification processes, access can be granted or revoked automatically to ensure the right driver has the right access to the right vehicle at the right time.

Step 3: Prevent thefts before they even happen

Digital immobilization is game changer for fleets. With a fully automated security management solution, you can protect your vehicles and their contents around the clock, and you’re fully prepared should an incident strike.

The system will always automatically detect if a vehicle is moving and whether an authorized driver is present—if not, it will prevent theft altogether by digitally immobilizing that vehicle, making quick work of partnering with local law enforcement to recovery the vehicle within hours rather than days.

The digital transformation future is here and transforming your fleet’s security has never been so simple. Ensure your drivers can keep up with the demands of today—and feel safe doing so—with the right technology.

Click here to learn more about how Ridecell helps fleets stay safe, secure and on the road.

Author: Stacey Papp, Director, Content, Ridecell

Sources
1 NCIB.org
2 consumerreports.org
3 NCIB.org

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