Geotab’s NFC (Near Field Communication) Driver Identification is an incredible tool that can be used to both incentivise drivers and monitor their behaviour. Any business that utilises a fleet of vehicles and employs multiple drivers, must ensure that their personnel adhere to the safety standards and parameters specified by the company. Managing the latter is simplified with the use of the Geotab NFC Driver ID.
Using the NFC Driver ID
Each driver is allocated a unique driver ID tag. The tag is coded with their name and relevant details such as employee number, for example. Each vehicle is fitted with an NFC reader.
NFC Driver ID Functionality
Geotab has taken the means of driver identification even further with the option of “hard-immobilization”; quite simply put this ensures that any vehicle will fail to start unless the relevant Driver ID tag is presented. Driver ID tags can then be allocated to one vehicle, a group of vehicles or any number of specific vehicles given that the driver has authorization to utilize said vehicle(s). This then ensures that you will never have an unlicensed driver or unauthorized driver in a company asset, thus maintaining correct safety and compliance parameters put in place by the employer. Even if an employer chooses not to utilize the hard-immobilization functionality, rules may be allocated where a driver must present his ID tag within an allotted amount of time after ignition, failure to do this will then send an immediate notification to any number of pre-specified recipients.
Monitoring Driver Behaviour with a Driver’s Scorecard report
Geotab’s award winning software makes it simple for a company and/or fleet manager to identify their strongest and weakest drivers. This can be achieved by running a Driver’s Scorecard report. This report reflects each driver’s infringements as well as identifying which diver was best and, in turn, which driver was the worst. The report itself can be tailored to reflect specific information that the company deems necessary to their operations. As well as any other custom exceptions that may have already been created on the company profile.
Some of these exceptions include:
- Exceeding posted road speeds
- Harsh braking, cornering and acceleration
- After hours usage
- Idle times
- Engine abuse
- Possible accident
This information then allows, dependent on company policies, the best drivers to be rewarded for their actions. Be it a monthly reward incentive for example, or even a continued requirement to ensure year-end bonuses. The same can then be applied for negligent drivers. Failure to adhere to company policy can then be identified and a formal written warning may be issued should the driver fail to comply with the specific job requirements as defined by the employer. This report can be then automated and generated daily, weekly, monthly, or even added to the company dashboard display.
Author: Travis Booth, Business Development – KZN – GEOTAB AFRICA
