The Importance of Emergency Response in a Driver Risk Management Strategy

Originally published in Fleet Management Weekly 09/07/2021

By Ed Dubens, Founder/ CEO of eDriving

Over the last few years advances in smartphone telematics technology not only means we can help drivers remain safe while driving for work purposes, but it also means we now have the ability and the data to respond in seconds in an emergency when it can mean the difference between life and death!

We all know about a single vehicle “event” with a driver unconscious at the side of the road and no witnesses to call for help, OR a driver delivering parcels in the run up to Christmas hijacked enroute to their delivery locations.

According to a European Transport Safety Council report: “Road safety policies typically aim to prevent collisions from occurring and to mitigate the impact of the collisions that do occur. An issue that has received less attention, is how improvements in emergency response can also help prevent deaths and reduce the severity of injuries.”

It has been well-publicized that in the U.S., preliminary NHTSA estimates indicate that 2020 saw the largest projected number of fatalities (38,680) since 2007. This was despite a significant decrease in vehicle miles traveled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to NHTSA’s analysis, the main behaviors that drove the increase included impaired driving, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt. Risky behaviors such as these not only increase crash risk, but also influence the severity of a crash, and the likelihood of serious injury.

Globally, 20-50 million crash-related injuries occur worldwide each year (Global Road Safety Partnership), often leaving drivers stranded or worse, unconscious and unable to call for help when every second counts. Now, Automatic Crash Detection can protect your employees and contractors 24/7 from such circumstances, should a crash occur while driving for work purposes. Sfara’s patented, fully smartphone-based technology detects collisions and triggers a voice call to the driver from the Bosch Emergency Center, serving over 50 countries and handling more than 1.7 million emergency calls globally each year. In the case of no response from the driver or confirmation of an emergency, event information will be relayed to local emergency services for immediate dispatch of help to the scene. Approved contacts in a driver’s Emergency Profile (e.g., next of kin, employer, etc.) can also be notified.

Now is the time for organizations to take action to help mitigate the effects of collisions that do occur. As the World Health Organization states: “Timely emergency care saves lives and reduces disability.”

About eDriving, Bosch & Sfara
Revolutionizing driver risk management for 25 years, eDriving is the trusted partner of choice for many of the world’s largest Sales, Service, and Delivery fleets, supporting over 1.2 million drivers in 125 countries with award-winning digital driver risk management solutions. A respected partner of the automotive industry for more than 125 years, Bosch protects over 20 million vehicles with its global emergency management services platform. Sfara provides its patented AI technology with industry-leading accuracy and speed to connect Mentor users with Bosch’s lifesaving dispatch services. A powerful trio backed by experience and expertise, committed to helping drivers return home safely at the end of each day and supporting drivers in their moment of need.