Driver performance tracking

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In running a fleet, you prioritise safety and efficiency—and you know that enhancing both requires driver performance tracking. But how do you get the visibility you need? That’s what this page is about: maximising safety, cost cutting and sustainability with insights on driving behaviour. You’ll also discover which tools can help you do it all.

Why tracking driver performance matters for fleets

Before you can enhance fleet safety and efficiency, you first need to realise where improvements could be made. That’s where your fleet data comes in handy. In analysing your driving performance data, you can spot trends and patterns that may need to be addressed. The benefits include:

Improved driving habits: By tracking driving performance, you can identify where your team may need extra coaching or training. Important KPIs to consider include speeding, harsh braking and rapid acceleration. Targeted coaching/training helps drivers improve their valued skills while contributing to road safety.

Greater fuel savings: Maintaining steady speeds and avoiding unnecessary idling are key to fuel efficiency. With clear driver scoring and performance benchmarks, you can recognise and reward drivers who consistently work in a fuel-efficient manner. You’ll promote a culture of continuous improvement, growing your bottom line and shrinking your fleet’s carbon emissions.
Reduced insurance costs: Has your fleet made big strides in road safety? If so, your driving performance analytics will demonstrate that. With fewer accidents on record, your business may qualify for lower insurance premiums—some providers offer discounts for safety improvements.

Practical strategies for tracking driver performance

As hinted at in the section above, outlining clear benchmarks is foundational to drawing actionable insights from your fleet data. The following strategies will set you up for tracking driver performance effectively.

Establish your KPIs: You need to know what to monitor and how to analyse it. When it comes to monitoring driving behaviour, which key performance indicators should be taken into account? Critical areas for most fleets include habits like speed, braking, coasting, gear shifting and idling.

Introduce driver scoring: Want to understand how your entire road team is performing? Use your safety and efficiency metrics as a basis for driver scoring. In a nutshell, drivers receive scores based on how well they meet your KPIs. You can compare individual scores against fleet averages to identify and appreciate top-performing drivers. Recognition for a job well done boosts morale and gives other drivers a positive example to follow.
Get driver input: Employees are more engaged when they feel listened to. The same rule applies to drivers. Collaborate with drivers on setting measurable goals for reducing road incidents and improving fuel efficiency. Goal-setting can inspire drivers to take ownership of their performance.

Tools to track driver performance

At the end of the day, monitoring driving behaviour is about keeping your drivers and vehicles safe. Looking for ways to help your drivers adopt a safer, more environmentally responsible driving style? With a solution like OptiDrive 360, you get all the tools needed to improve safety and efficiency.

Real-time insights: Customise your fleet management dashboard so that you can visualise all your crucial KPIs at a glance. You can even define values for each performance indicator, helping you and your drivers prioritise certain benchmarks.

Active driver coaching: Provide drivers feedback and advice on safer driving and watch the number of accidents and unplanned repairs go down. Your drivers get real-time, in-cab coaching directly through our PRO Driver Terminals.
Event trigger alerts: Do you use fleet management software like Webfleet? Then you can receive alerts on specific driving events, such as speeding or harsh braking. Immediate notifications like these enable you to make timely interventions.
Analytics and reporting: Comprehensive reporting makes it easy to assess long-term driver performance trends. Detailed reports help fleet managers make data-informed decisions around coaching and training. They also help drivers analyse their own performance.

Putting insights into action

A significant percentage of your operational costs can be attributed to how vehicles are driven, so it pays to monitor driving behaviour. But it isn’t enough to track and analyse driving performance. To improve safety and efficiency, you must translate insights into effective actions. Here’s a process worth trying for your fleet:

Tap your fleet’s historical data to spot trends: Get a clear picture on your drivers’ performance over time. Do you consistently notice certain patterns emerging in the data? You may recognise them as areas needing improvement—or even as areas in which drivers have improved.

Offer coaching and training: Your historical data analysis could reveal a need for specific kinds of coaching or training. Leverage these insights to understand whether group programmes or personalised mentoring would be most effective. Remember to applaud your team for any improvements they’ve made. That can go a long way in creating a culture of accountability and safety.
Policy adjustments: Regular analysis of your driver performance data can help you refine your fleet policy. If speeding in a specific area keeps popping up in the data, you’ll know to adjust route plans or schedules, for example. You’ll also determine whether your messages around safety and fuel efficiency could be reinforced in your policy guidelines.