Motorists and road users will have to dig deep when paying for petrol and transport, following the massive petrol price increase announced last week.
However, changing the way we use the road, according to an organisation, can go some way in helping to lessen the pain at the petrol pump.
“It is abundantly clear that it is about to become more and more expensive to transport any goods by road. Private road users and public transport passengers will see a similar assault on their wallets,” says Wahl Bartmann, CEO of the Fidelity Services Group.
The use of telematics, says Bartmann, can perhaps now be seen as more important than ever before. Telematics provides a digital blueprint of every aspect of a vehicle’s operation, helping fleet managers understand where improvements can be made in accident prevention measures and driver safety standards.
Several products are available in the South African marketspace which can be installed in private vehicles and in company fleets, such as SecureDrive.
“Installing a telematics device can give you the kind of real-time data you need to determine if your driving is contributing to your costs. Depending on the insights, you can either make small changes or decide to implement corrective training,” says Bartmann.
Telematics technology can also improve on route planning, which is especially important for larger fleets of vehicles. A considerable cost saving can be achieved by dispatching the closest delivery vehicle (for example) to a customer’s address to collect a package.
“Safety and security are further key features of telematics devices. Automated alerts can be generated if a vehicle deviates from a planned route or when there are signs of unauthorised use or possible theft. These features are often also chosen by private users of telematics devices,” says Bartmann.
“Modern technology and devices powered by AI (Artificial Intelligence) can help all of us deal with the fuel price which is expected to just keep on climbing. By choosing the right telematic device for your needs, you could hopefully feel less of a pinch the next time you need to fill up.”
