Private hire service Greentomatocars has implemented fleet safety technology from GreenRoad to help improve driver behaviour and increase efficiency.

Greentomatocars driver Habtamu Behailu shows the GreenRoad mobile technology

The London-based business wanted to promote a culture of continual improvement amongst its drivers and installed the GreenRoad system in 300 of its vehicles this year.

The technology monitors more than 150 different movements and monitors when a driver performs a manoeuvre such as sharp cornering, swerving, harsh braking or sudden acceleration. Drivers are alerted by a simple ‘traffic light’ system that sits on the dashboard, using a green, amber and red system to distinguish between safe driving and risk manoeuvres.

Although the company says it’s early days in terms of evaluating the benefits of the system, it’s already been well received by the drivers.

Julia Thomas, managing director of Greentomatocars, said: “The great advantage of GreenRoad is the easy access of information for the driver, meaning it can be used as a self-learning tool. Drivers have access to their performance via app and web per journey every day and in an industry where drivers can be waiting for their next passenger, this is well used. This is in addition to the traffic lights system in the car, which shows the driver in real time; whether they are driving according to the standards we have set for braking, accelerating and cornering.”

“As a company, we can then view the progress of the fleet as a whole, highlight drivers who may benefit from further one on one training, with the aim of giving a better, safer passenger experience.”

Driver Habtamu Behailu was one of the first to try out GreenRoad and has already achieved ‘Fleet Elite’ status – GreenRoad’s recognition scheme for the safest drivers.

Behailu said: “I am really pleased with the telematics device and it has certainly helped me improve as a driver, as it gives tips to improve my driving and has made me more aware of my actions, which is good for me and good for the safety of my passengers. The system also helps us monitor fuel consumption, which is good for the environment and this is a key concern for greentomatocars as we are London’s original green private hire car service.”