UK-based technology company Trak Global Group has launched a free app – Appy Fleet – aimed at helping vehicle fleets manage driver safety through the use of telematics and improved insight into driver activity.

One in three road traffic accidents in the UK involves a vehicle being driven for work.

Drivers can download the app and use all the road safety features for free, while managers can use the Appy Fleet Manager portal to monitor and manage the behaviour of their workforce behind the wheel.

The Appy Fleet Driver App turns each employee’s smartphone into a GPS data-gathering device, which also can be placed into private mode when employees use their vehicles outside work. By tethering the app via Bluetooth to each vehicle they use, the system also provides driver ID.

Trak Global has already tested Appy Fleet’s telematics technology in the motor insurance market via the company’s ‘Better Driver’ app.

“We know we can remove the costs of funding, fitting and supporting a traditional, telematics hardware system in a vehicle, and we also know that our data insights and risk management techniques will improve driver behaviour and bring down the cost of fleet insurance,” explained Trak Global Group chief executive, Nick Corrie.

Supporting the initiative, Adrian Walsh, director of RoadSafe said: “One in three road traffic accidents in the UK involves a vehicle being driven for work purposes. That’s way too many, and above all a needless cost to businesses; companies need to grip this problem.

“We recommend they take a look at the Driving for Better Business programme to see how other businesses reduce cost and improve efficiency. Using Appy Fleet will certainly assist them to improve.”

“Our goal is to for Appy Fleet to become the technology platform that allows companies to engage with all their employees on their business driving, making driving at work immediately safer and more efficient,” Corrie added.

“Through Carrot, our young driver brand, we’ve reduced accidents among the UK’s newly qualified drivers by 42%, by placing meaningful driving feedback in their hands via our telematics app and we are confident we can achieve similar results in the global fleet market.”

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