Every modern car available in the US comes equipped with infotainment systems. GPS-based navigation is one of the primary uses of an infotainment system in a modern car.

However, the GPS connection of a car’s infotainment system cannot be used to track the vehicle. Taking note of this void in the market, countless brands introduced GPS-based trackers to the US market. The outcome is that, currently the market is flooded with cheap trackers that don’t necessarily work as they should.

So what should you do when you finally decide to install a GPS car monitoring device like Vyncs OBD GPS tracker on your car?

This blog in the following sections will try to answer the above question. However, before getting into that, let’s learn what a tracker is. We will also discuss why it is recommended for you to install a vehicle tracking device in your car.

What is a GPS tracker?

A GPS tracker is a device that uses the Global Positioning System to locate and track a person, vehicle or asset.

A GPS tracker is not the same as the GPS navigation system in your car

Do not confuse the GPS navigation system you got in your car from the factory with modern GPS trackers.

A GPS tracker like Vyncs GPS tracker for cars is typically used for intelligent vehicle management. The GPS navigation-enabled infotainment system of your car simply lets you reach your destination quickly (and safely).

Is it true that all cars in the US are equipped with trackers from the factory?

Well, every car in the US comes with GPS navigation-enabled infotainment systems. These infotainment systems simply use the GPS for navigation purposes. Real-time location tracking is not possible with the infotainment systems of modern cars.

However, the future of vehicle telematics with a new generation of devices like Vyncs vehicle tracker is here. This is why all modern cars collect vehicle performance data such as braking, accelerations, gear shifts, etc. The above-mentioned data points are collected in modern cars for maintenance purposes. Car manufacturers also collect relevant data through the onboard computers of modern cars to keep owners from violating the warranties on their cars.

With that, we have (almost) covered everything that you need to know about car GPS trackers. Now, it is time to learn how you can choose the best GPS tracker for your car.

Choosing the best GPS tracker for your car

Countless brands offer trackers for cars. You will have options in terms of devices, features as well as subscription packages. To put it all in short, you might feel confused. Avoid the noise and buy the connected car management solution like Vyncs car tracker offering the loudest bang for your buck. To do that, you should shortlist the tracker that comes with the following features.

1. Real-time vehicle tracking

The best GPS car tracking device will offer you a real-time vehicle tracking feature. What is that, you ask? Well, real-time GPS car tracking lets you check where your car is at any time. You can also track the details of every road trip you take with your friends and family.

Is your work route becoming unbearable due to rush hour traffic? You can use a tracker like Vyncs GPS vehicle tracking device to plan your route. Is your car used by other members of your family? Get alerts every time the car enters or exits a zone you have created for your car such as work, home or school.

The best car tracking device would also alert you the moment your car is moved from its original position. For instance, if your car is towed away or stolen, you can share the notification data with the authorities. In this way, vehicle recovery becomes easy.

2. Select a device that is easy to use

The best tracker brand would spend a lot of its resources and time to make an easy-to-use GPS tracker. But what makes a tracker easy to use? Well, how about getting a vehicle tracker that offers lifetime device assurance, a risk-free trial period and an easy setup? Whichever tracker you finally choose to buy, make sure that the device is easy to use and setup.

3. Choose a tracker offering a complete connected car experience

What does a complete connected car experience mean?

Well, a tracker that offers a complete connected car experience would let you keep track of your car’s fault codes. Top GPS trackers for cars will also notify you if you miss an appointment with your car mechanic.

The latest generation of vehicle trackers made by the best brands would also remind you to rotate your car tires. You would also get notifications for brake pad replacements and cabin air filter replacements.

That is not all. There are GPS tracker brands out there that would also notify their customers the moment a car brand initiates a recall drive!

Amazing! Isn’t it?

4. A device that is IoT-ready

Make sure that your money is spent on IoT-ready trackers.

What is IoT?

IoT is short for the Internet of Things. IoT is an umbrella term for devices that are connected to the internet in some way or the other.

Why you should get a tracker that is IoT-ready?

With an IoT-ready GPS tracker like a Vyncs GPS vehicle tracker, you will be able to get notifications through your smartwatch. You can also get audible notifications through your digital home assistants (Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Home).

Convenient, don’t you think?

5. Does the device offer Road Side Assistance?

Road Side Assistance comes to your aid when your car breaks down. You can also avail of RSA when your car’s battery is dead. RSA also feels like a boon in the case of a flat tire. If your car doesn’t have an inflated spare tire or you don’t know how to change a tire, RSA is handy.

You would be surprised to know that leading car tracking device brands offer RSA as an additional feature to their customers. So, make sure that the tracking device you are buying offers RSA as a standard or premium feature.

6. The best tracker lets you save money!

Trackers are available that notify vehicle owners in real time how much fuel is left in their vehicle’s fuel tank. Fuel consumption and money spent on fuel purchases can also be tracked using the best GPS trackers. The best tracker lets you save money by planning a route for a trip that has minimal traffic or signals.

7. Choose the tracker that promotes preventative maintenance

Spend your hard-earned money on a tracker that compels you to take your car for periodic preventative maintenance.

What is that?

Preventative maintenance is the process of taking your car to the service center even when it has not broken down.

Why cars should be subjected to preventative maintenance sessions?

Well, through preventative maintenance, small issues in your car can be solved on time. In this way, your car will become extremely reliable.

It is as simple as that!

8. Do you let your teen drive your car? Install a tracker today!

Why tracking a teen driver is important? The reason is simple. Connected car solutions can build & bolster good driving habits in teens. The best GPS trackers would send notifications to you during every harsh braking and rapid acceleration event.

In this way, your teen child will become a more responsible and disciplined driver. At the same time, your car’s life will increase and its running cost will decline.

9. Easy geofence management

Make sure that the tracker you are selecting lets you easily set up, manage and modify a geofence. For instance, a Vyncs GPS vehicle tracker lets its users create a geofence using a polygon. In simple words, a Vyncs geofence doesn’t have a specified shape.

What is a geofence?

A geofence is a virtual fence you are setting up for your family car or commercial vehicle. Every time your car enters or exits a geofence that you have set, you will get a push notification

What is the benefit of a geofence?

Well, you can make sure your teen driver is not going too far with the family car. Additionally, if you are using a tracker for your business vehicle, you can keep the driver and the vehicle away from the turfs of your rivals.

Neat, isn't it?

10. How about a tracker that lets you evaluate gas stations?

The leading brands in the car GPS tracker sector are now offering unique features like gas station evaluation. What is this?

Gas station evaluation lets car owners identify the gas stations where gas is relatively cheap. On top of this, with the above-mentioned feature, car owners can also identify the gas stations where the quality of gas is top-notch. Just think about it!

Car GPS Trackers Are Convenient And Offer Peace Of Mind

Installing a tracker on your car is a necessity, not a luxury. However, if you fail to select the best tracker brand, you might not get the features that you paid for. This is the reason why a bit of research is necessary in this matter. Don’t you agree?

Pure electric vehicles do not come with engines. However, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles do come with an internal combustion engine that acts more or less like a generator that kicks in the moment the battery pack of the EV goes out of juice.

We are getting sidetracked. Let’s get back to the topic.

Whether you own a pure electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, remember that although the number of moving parts in an EV is less, this type of vehicle also needs a bit of care from its owners. For instance, modern EV owners tend to use connected vehicle solutions for EVs in a bid to keep tabs on their EVs. However, that is not enough. As an EV owner, you’d also need to remember the following things.

The battery pack needs special care

The most important part of an electric vehicle is its battery pack. At the same time, the most expensive part of an electric vehicle is its battery pack. To put things into perspective, replacing the battery pack of an Electric Vehicle costs half of a new EV’s sticker price. For the best results, ensure that your EV is being tracked using a Vyncs real-time tracker for teen drivers that will not only let you track your vehicle but also keep teen drivers within the geozones that you have set. Furthermore, with the help of devices like a Vyncs OBD GPS tracker, you will also be able to gauge how much range your EV is giving you per charge. Please note that you should never let your EV’s battery pack overcharge. Furthermore, you should never let the battery pack of your EV reach below 20% regularly. Fail to follow this tip and you are automatically shortening the operational life of your EV’s battery pack.

Ensure the vehicle is parked at a safe and secured place

Although the battery packs of modern EVs come with dedicated Battery Management Systems as well as heating and cooling systems, excess ambient heat or sudden drops in ambient temperature can wreak havoc on the battery pack of an EV. This is the reason why, an EV owner should make sure that they are using connected vehicle solutions like a Vyncs vehicle tracking device in a bid to search a covered parking space. A covered parking space will keep your EV protected against the elements. Additionally, the battery pack of your EV will not get damaged due to drastic temperature changes.

Change the oil on time (applies to PHEVs)

It is no news that electric vehicles do not need oil changes since they do not have any internal combustion engines.

However, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles do come with an engine and an engine does need periodic oil changes. If you want to ensure that your plug-in hybrid electric vehicle remains operating as it should then change its engine oil on time.

Additionally, you can track your electric vehicle in a bid to gauge how fuel-efficient the vehicle is. You can also track the overall health of your PHEV by keeping tabs on the vehicle’s several systems such as its cooling system, HVAC system, etc.

Don’t forget to take care of the brakes

EVs come with regenerative braking but still rely heavily on traditional braking systems. Hence, it is natural for your EV to come equipped with EBD, ABS, brake lines, brake fluid reservoir, etc. And just like a normal vehicle, your EV would also need periodic brake oil changes, brake pad changes, and EBD/ABS module diagnostics. Don’t forget these preventative maintenance steps if you want to keep your EV operational for a long time. You can also install a real-time EV tracker in a bid to track your overall driving behavior so that you do not end up breaking your EV prematurely.

Electric vehicles are not entirely maintenance-free – remember this

Electric vehicles are not entirely maintenance free especially if you own a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Whether you own a pure electric, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, develop the habit of using an electric vehicle tracking device. These smart GPS tracker devices are capable of keeping tabs on your EV’s overall health. Additionally, an OBD GPS tracker device will also let you develop driving habits that would let you get more range out of your EV.

The U.S. Department of Transport claims the country has about 276 million registered cars, with around 91% of households owning at least one vehicle and almost 58% having two or more.

Cars are a massive investment, only next in rank to a house. However, it only takes a few minutes for your hard work and money to go down the drain. Instances of car theft are on the rise, which means you can lose your automobile to carjackers within moments.

One foolproof way of protecting your vehicle is to use a GPS vehicle tracker. These gadgets can track a car's real-time position and let you see its location at any time. GPS devices ensure vehicle safety, but these are capable of doing a lot more.

Car tracking solutions are a staple for businesses with vehicle fleets. In reality, these devices form the backbone of fleet management. Then again, these are not overlooked by regular consumers, either. After all, caregivers and parents of senior drivers and teen drivers would want to know the on-road behavior and trip history of the person behind the wheel to ensure the safety of their loved ones. These devices can also point out maintenance faults and requirements.

What can GPS trackers do?

A car tracking device can be battery-powered or OBD-II compliant. Once you connect it to your car, it will use Global Positioning System technology to pinpoint the vehicle's exact location.

Depending on the device, there may be other features you can tinker with. Yes, OBD-II tracking solutions are capable of monitoring vehicle health, gauging driver performance, keeping track of speed, and sending alerts if the car has been tampered with.

In other words, a tracking device has other surprising uses than just giving you the location of your car in real-time.

Five surprising uses of vehicle trackers

1. Vehicle security

Over 748,000 cars are stolen daily in the USA. In many instances, carjackers don't need to break in or hotwire the automobile because, surprisingly, the owners leave the keys or key fob inside.

As a result, the car becomes an easy target. If the device is in the car even after the vehicle is stolen, you can provide law enforcement with its location and increase the likelihood of retrieving it.

2. Teen driver monitoring

Parents, quite naturally, worry about the safety of their teenagers when they drive. Lack of adequate experience combined with a greater likelihood of speeding contributes to accidents - the leading cause of teen death in America. Parents may also wonder where their kids are if they are late.

For newly licensed teen drivers, GPS trackers can provide trip statistics to help parents monitor driving and address any problems they notice.

3. Fleet management

Fleet management is not easy. Thankfully, the technology incorporated in a GPS tracker for vehicles can simplify your work. These devices allow fleet managers to monitor the entire fleet through their smartphones and computers and communicate with their drivers.

4. Insurance premium reduction

Businesses with vehicle fleets require insurance. This insurance covers automotive damage and theft by compensating the fleet manager when one or more vehicles are stolen by carjackers.

Insurance firms usually charge hefty premiums to provide theft coverage. However, they also offer worthwhile discounts for automobiles with tracking systems installed. After all, such a solution ensures easy recovery of stolen vehicles.

You must set up tracking systems for your entire fleet if you hope to save money every year. Additionally, it lets you avoid the hassle of going back and forth searching for compensation should you lose your automobile to carjackers.

5. Maintenance and diagnostics

Timely and proper maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicles in perfect condition and increasing longevity. Then again, it can be challenging to keep track of maintenance schedules if you manage a large fleet or for a busy individual.

A modern GPS tracker for a car can offer routine diagnostics. You receive comprehensive details on your automobile's condition. They also alert you if you encounter an issue with a specific part.

This feature will ensure that you keep your car or business vehicle fleet in pristine condition at all times. You will also save a significant sum of money on repairs as your car will not break down as often.

Wrapping it up

The number of ways businesses and individuals use GPS devices is growing rapidly. As humanity continues to seek out ways of improving transportation and communication, the GPS vehicle tracker has become a crucial tool for everyone.

Connected vehicle solutions don't just allow businesses to locate their fleets in real time and monitor driver behavior but also allow consumers to keep their vehicles in top-notch condition and get help during emergencies.

Such is the power of Vyncs!

Just think about it - you are sitting in your car on the side of a road where the streetlight above you is not working or blinking constantly. You are about to leave when the door opens, and a gun appears in front of your face.

Someone yells at you to get out of the car.

Your car is being jacked!

Despite being relatively rare, there has been a rise in carjacking events in recent years across the States, which makes it worthwhile to know how to avoid becoming a victim and what to do if you can't avoid the situation.

More and more carjackings

Many people describe carjacking as a “trope from the action movies of the 70s." After all, news channels and papers did not cover many reports on this crime.

However, the current statistics do not lie. According to the latest data, carjacking is rising in many states in the USA. Some cities that reported a significant increase in carjackings in recent years include Memphis, Chicago, Baltimore, Nashville, and New Orleans.

Criminologists and psychologists attempt to theorize why the prevalence of carjackings has been increasing. Vehicles are much harder to steal now, especially when the driver is not around. Modern cars are equipped with anti-theft technology or a car GPS tracker and will start only with a keyfob. Stealing a parked car has become a tedious, time-consuming, and dangerous task for regular offenders and would-be thieves. Hotwiring is no longer an option. Therefore, instead of targeting parked, unoccupied automobiles, criminals aim for already running cars and force drivers at gunpoint. It is much faster and easier than stealing the old-fashioned way.

Understanding carjackings

Now that the rate of carjackings have increased, how do you avoid becoming a victim?

The first step is to educate yourself about carjacking. You must know where carjackers operate and how this crime typically goes down so that you can plan on how to avoid such situations.

• Carjackings are rampant in high crime areas, but they are happening in safer and wealthier parts of the country too.
• Carjackers are opportunists. They watch out for the right moment. For starters, they operate at night and in dark areas. Intersections and parking lots with poor lighting are their favorite spots. However, it does not mean they avoid driveways or gated community entrances.
• Carjackers usually strike precisely when a person enters the vehicle.
• 92% of these events happen when the victim is in the car alone.
• 90% of these events involve weapons, typically firearms.
• Carjackers are usually aged below 21.

Do not become a victim

Here are a few factors that make people vulnerable to this crime. Being familiar with them will ensure you can prepare appropriately and adequately.

Start by maintaining situational awareness. Keep your eyes peeled and scan your surroundings, look for anything out of place in the environment, and be ready to handle the situation if something goes wrong. Remember - situational awareness is not about being paranoid. It is only about staying in a state of calm attentiveness.

Look for populated and brightly lit parking spots. As you already know, carjackers are opportunists. They will steal only if they believe they can get away with it, and a clean getaway is possible if there is no one around and it is dark. Make sure carjackers do not get this opportunity. Park your vehicle in brightly lit and populated locations. Do not park close to large objects, walls, or big vans, as they block an onlooker's view. Try to park where you and your car will be visible to many people.

Move purposefully. Carjackers usually target drivers who appear vulnerable or distracted. When you walk towards your car, be aware of your surroundings. Look around and inside while scanning the front and back seats. The moment you climb in the driver's seat, lock the doors and start driving. Avoid fiddling with your phone or the infotainment systems. Stick to the same rules when getting out of the car. Once you stop, get out and start moving to your destination. The more time you spend inside the car, the more time you give a carjacker to make a move.

Doors and windows closed. Your objective should be to make things as difficult for carjackers as possible. If you keep the doors or windows open, carjackers will definitely target you. Therefore, the moment you enter your vehicle, lock the doors. Try to make it a habit. Yes, rolling the windows down on a lovely spring day is irresistible, but you must resist that temptation, particularly in high-crime regions of the town.

New models have a feature that locks the doors automatically when the driver starts the car. It is recommended that you turn on this feature so you don't have to think about locking the doors after entering.

Avoid traveling alone in dangerous spots. About 92% of carjacking victims were alone in their cars when the crime happened. Of course, you can't travel with a friend every time in your car, but make sure you have someone when you know you will be passing through a dangerous part of town. Carjackers are opportunists, as mentioned several times. If you have a passenger, the carjacker will be outnumbered, which, in turn, will diminish their possibility of robbing you and leaving.

The tires should be visible. If you are stopped in your car, ensure the tires are visible. Doing so puts enough space between you and the vehicle in front to steer and drive away if a carjacker attempts to rob you. Also, create a plan every time you have to stop at a signal light. You should know where you must go if you choose to drive away.

There is an underhanded strategy criminals often use to rob drivers of their cars. It is called “bump and run," where the perpetrator, accompanied by an accomplice, will bump their vehicle into the rear of your car. This forces you to think you are involved in an accident, so you get out to check the damage and discuss insurance. At that moment, the perpetrator will threaten you and steal your automobile. The carjacker will vanish with your car, the accomplice will drive away in the one that bumped into you, and you will be stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Always try to pull your car over into a well-lit and populated location if you get rear-ended. You need as many people to see you as possible. If you don't see a good place to stop, keep driving with the flashers on. In doing so, you will know that the person who bumped you is an average citizen following you and waiting for you to stop. If you have a reason to believe the bumper is a carjacker, contact the police and stay inside with the doors and windows locked and rolled up until they respond to your distress call.

What to do in the situation

Regardless of all precautionary measures, you may run into a desperado who points a gun at your head and yells at you to get out of the car. What will you do then?

Hand it over. Carjackers usually don't want anything from the driver other than the car. So, hand it over. Your life is more valuable than your car because they are replaceable, but you aren't.

Evacuate the children. Those who have kids in their vehicles should get them out first. Never let a carjacker get behind the wheel as long as the children are inside. Just tell the perpetrator they can take the vehicle, but they must allow you to get the kids out - pronto! Tell your kids to exit the car and move as far away as possible if they are old enough. However, if they can't get out alone, turn around to the backseat and pull them out.

NEVER get in the car with them. If the carjacker demands you move over, stay inside with them, or reenter the vehicle after they take the driver's seat, do everything in your power to avoid complying. The criminal may possibly attempt to take you to another “crime scene" - a place you don't want to go. These places are hidden from the public where criminals do despicable things to their victims. Crime studies show that a victim's chances of survival drop once they reach a second crime scene. So if the carjacker demands you get inside the car with them or stay inside as they try to take the wheel, try to resist. Your life depends on it.

Gain control of whatever weapon your attacker has and unleash violence on them. Keep pepper gel or foam and use it as the first line of defense. Avoid pepper spray as it can mist back on you. You need something that you can shoot directly on the criminal, and the projectile should stay on them.

Be vigilant

The best way to prevent an attack is avoidance. Depend on your judgment to assess the situation and possible reactions. Familiarize yourself with safe areas to go to during emergencies, and always carry phones or a radio. Non-confrontation is usually the best response, but it does not always work. In any case, your objective should be to survive and not thwart the crime.

Consider using a vehicle tracking device no monthly fee too. It has already proven to be an excellent investment for families and businesses. We can keep you, your family, and your business safe. Get in touch with us to find out more about how we help our customers.

Sources:

1. https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/manly-know-how/what-to-do-in-carjacking/
2. https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/19782.htm
3. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/heres-what-to-do-if-youre-being-carjacked-how-to-prevent-it/2555546/
4. https://safety1stdriversed.com/2015/03/what-to-do-if-someone-tries-to-carjack-you/
5. https://wjla.com/news/local/7news-on-your-side-as-carjacking-cases-rise-how-to-avoid-them-what-to-do-if-threatened
6. https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/carjacking-what-to-do-safety-tips

The thought of losing yourself in the heart of Mother Nature’s mind-boggling paradise excites you, doesn’t it? You’re not the only one. Hundreds and thousands of like-minded individuals drool at the thought of jet-setting to far-off lands. Maybe you’re planning a trip to another country, but if you live in the States, take a couple of moments to sit down and ponder on the fact that your own nation is one of the prettiest places to travel.

Many people do not consider the US when planning a trip. It’s probably because they think they have seen everything. However, you'll find more than a few hidden gems spread throughout the United States that are often unnoticed. So, let’s explore some unique places that aren’t crowded and budget-friendly.

Here are a few lesser-known, almost-invisible destinations that appeal to travelers in search of something different from their ventures. Many of these places feature various levels of accommodation, from camping to luxurious hotels. Despite remaining under the radar, these places may become your new favorite destinations in America.

1. North Shore, Minnesota

The first destination on this list is North Shore, Minnesota. This place appeals to those who love state parks, waterfalls, lakes, and romantic A-Frame cabins. Located in Cook County, North Shore got its name because of the sprawling shores of Lake Superior, also recognized as the turning tip of Northern Minnesota.

If you love the outdoors, there are a few hiking trails you can meander through at the Tettegouche State Park. You can try one or two of these or hike to the tallest waterfalls in Minnesota at Judge C.R. Magney State Park and camp under the stars at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

North Shore will be an excellent choice if you’re looking to go on a road trip. You’ll head down winding roads and run into many lookout points and state parks.

2. Ausable Chasm, New York

A “hidden gem" in every sense of the phrase, the Ausable Chasm is also one of the natural wonders in Western New York. While the city hoards all the state’s glory, this location steals most of the hearts and minds of people who see it. Ausable Chasm is about five hours to the northwest of New York, so it is unsuitable for day trips. However, if you start down the hiking trails, you’ll realize sooner than later why it’s special.

Located on the opposite side of Lake Champlain, it’s a naturally created river from a waterfall - basically a smaller version of Niagara Falls. You’ll also find three different trails within the chasm: tubing, rappelling, rock climbing, and lantern trails.

Go to the main building to book tours in a jiffy! You can also stay in one of the cabins behind the entry gate. This rustic destination is perfect for a weekend getaway and outdoor adventurers. Ausable Chasm takes camping to a whole new level since you can see the gorge from multiple angles.

3. Anna Maria Island, Florida

Do you want to live the life of a romance novel character or experience what a TV show set in a beach town is like? Go to Anna Maria Island! It’s an island that acts like a barrier facing West on the Gulf Coast, Florida. Anna Maria Island is a scenic spot renowned for its beaches and shopping.

Anna Maria, on the namesake island, is a small resort town situated about 45 minutes east of Tampa and 30 minutes south of Sarasota. The turquoise green-blue waters and white sand beaches will give you Caribbean vibes.

Don’t throw in a fit if a manatee bumps into you at some locations. After all, it’s Manatee County! All the beach houses are available for rent, and restaurants offer fine dining options inside fully furnished buildings or shacks. So, fine dining won’t be a problem. Stroll down the street barefoot if you like and reach the paddleboard rental booth. You’ll be sure to fit in, just like a resident.

4. Willamette National Forest, Oregon

The Oregon Coast is a lovely spot for anyone willing to explore the United States. Go to Blue River, Oregon, to the Willamette National Forest - a part of the Cascade Range. The woods stretch over 110 miles long and occupy 1,675,407 acres.

Follow the rivers to witness three waterfalls when hiking. One of them is the second-tallest waterfall in the entire state. In fact, NASA has used some of the rocks resembling lava rocks on the hiking trails for training purposes as they match the ones on the moon.

You’ll find over 70 different camping sites along the national forest, which are suitable for outdoorsy travelers, and the dry landscape has enough history to offer as the waterfalls. More than a dozen conifer trees stand tall in this forest, and over 300 fish and wildlife species claim the lands and waters.

5. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona happens to be one of the best-kept secrets of Arizona, and it’s right in the heart of red rock country. Just like Sedona, there are many other hidden vacation spots in the Southwest, featuring winding roads that bring you to towering red rocks, canyons, and desert landscapes. Sedona is situated about 2 hours south of the Grand Canyon. It’s the best place to stay when exploring everything Arizona has to offer.

Indulge in numerous outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, hiking on mountain trails, horseback riding, and driving ATVs. You’ll have enough in your hands to keep you busy. Do you want to know the history of Sedona? Just visit the Sedona Heritage Museum or tour the red rocks in a Jeep.

If the outdoors is not you thing or you want to relax after all the activities, there are plenty of resorts and spas. Also, enjoy the views from your hotel room or participate in a wine tasting at one of the many vineyards and wineries in the location.

6. Door County, Wisconsin

Visit Door County if you choose the Midwest region as your destination. To some people, this part of Wisconsin never ceases to incite amazement. The entire area exudes the vibes of a small town with more access to resort-town elements not found anywhere else in the Midwest.

This destination is one of the best places for tourists in Wisconsin. In fact, it’s known as the Cape Cod of the Midwest. It’s a 64-mile peninsula that offers incredible views of Lake Michigan.

Door County is also popular for wine, cherries, and apples. If you plan your trip in August, and if you’re a fan of good music, you should definitely check out "Cheeseheads! The Musical" event. Don’t forget to visit the renowned von Stiehl Winery in Algoma. Also, check out the famous fish boil at Pelletier’s Restaurant & Fish Boil in Fish Creek.

7. Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country is full of hidden activities and picturesque natural beauty. Understandably, it’s one of the best-hidden vacation spots in the nation. Hill Country is in Central and South Texas, comprising the Southeastern zones of the Edwards Plateau. This place isn’t entirely to the Southwest. Instead, it’s considered to be in between the border areas of the country.

Hill Country is full of locally-owned eateries that people sing praises of, such as Der Lindenbaum and Redbud Cafe & Pub. Also, this location is close to San Antonio, which makes it a perfect family vacation destination.

You’ll encounter whole fields covered by Lavender and a Lavender Festival in Blanco. If you plan your trip at the end of August, you can watch or even participate in rodeos, parade on main, dance & car show between the 11th and 12th. Again, between September 1st and 3rd, you can satisfy your love for music with the Western Heritage Music Festival.

Gardening and stargazing are among the most popular activities to participate in. Apart from that, Topaz is found by the dozen here, even in the dirt. In short, you can literally find hidden gems spread throughout Texas Hill Country.

8. Devil’s Tower, Wyoming

The Devil’s Tower is a divine national monument in Wyoming. This monument is unlike any other in the United States, as it’s a massive rock conglomerate standing 1,267 feet tall above the Belle Fourche River. The local Native American tribes call it Bear Lodge - the world’s most significant example of columnar jointing.

There are several other canyons and parks, including Bighorn Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands National Park, close to this natural wonder. Road-trippers should take a detour towards the Southwest to stop at Yellowstone National Park after exploring this awe-inspiring landmark.

9. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

One location, four different terrains. That’s what the Great Sand Dunes National Park is all about! Here you will find dunes, creeks, mountains, and forests. There isn’t any other destination in the country where tourists can enjoy as many vistas as the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. The pictures of this place can be misleading because some of the dunes are as large as mountains. As a result, the images may appear almost fake.

Participate in outdoor activities like hiking, sand sledding, swimming in Medano Creek, camping, and riding 4WD vehicles through the trails. Close to this park are waterfalls and ranches for you to stay. Just imagine staying on a ranch in Colorado and visiting some of the largest rolling dunes you’ve ever seen!

Then, walk through the national park or swim in the creek below the waterfall. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, sandboard down a small dune. Stargazing is an option for those with a cosmic fantasy before retreating to the ranch for the night. To many, this place may be one of the best, underrated vacation spots.

10. Channel Islands National Park, California

Five sensational islands off the West Coast make up the Channel Islands National Park. It’s one of the most stellar national parks in the nation and probably has the largest population of seals.

The national park is close to Los Angeles. Despite that fact, it’s the second least visited national park in all of California and also one of the most underrated national parks in America.

These islands in the Pacific include Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island, Santa Rosa Island, San Miguel Island, and Santa Barbara Island. The best activities to indulge in at the Channel Islands National Park are snorkeling, kayaking, and seeing seals at Point Bennett on San Miguel. It’s this marine sanctuary that attracts nature and animal lovers from all across the United States to this place.

These islands provide refuge to various flora and fauna, including some found nowhere else on Earth. Channel Islands National Park is also where you’ll witness more prehistoric sites than anywhere else in North America. So, if you’re looking for a destination to run away from it all, this is where you should go!

For all wayfarers

This list is an ode to all vagabonds, rovers, and roadies residing in America. If you have an itch for wanderlust that needs scratching, this list of places to visit should suffice. Before we take off to these wonderful locations, you want to take some safety measures for there may be some obstacles waiting ahead in your adventure.

Vyncs can be the perfect partner for road-trippers. This car GPS tracker can help them out of a jam if their vehicles break down in the middle of nowhere. Travelers can also pinpoint every flaw under the hood before setting out and get them repaired on time. If a group of teens choose to drive to one of these spots, their parents can monitor them for their safety using the geofencing capability of Vyncs. You know what they say, better be safe than sorry.

Sources:

1) https://viatravelers.com/best-unknown-places-to-visit-us/

2) https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/best-hidden-vacation-spots-in-us/

3) https://www.thediaryofanomad.com/best-hidden-vacation-spots-in-the-us/

4) https://www.worldpackers.com/articles/best-offbeat-places-to-visit-in-the-USA/

5) https://www.attractionsofamerica.com/travel/most-beautiful-hidden-gems-usa.php /

Now who doesn’t love to crawl rocks or splash through a mud-filled trench aboard their SUV?

However, one must remember that simply buying an SUV and attending a few offroading sessions doesn’t guarantee a fun-filled day in the great outdoors.

Apart from having the right set of offroading skills, one must also ensure their offroad vehicle has the right set of attachments installed. That’s the only way to make a vehicle off-road ready. With the right set of offroading attachments, you can even make a 1st generation JDM Miata offroad-ready.

Off-road attachments to make your car off-road ready

So what are the basic offroad attachments that a vehicle should have before the owner even thinks of hitting a trail with their car?

Well, go through the following sections to know more.

Offroad tires

?iloveyou=trueconquered only with off-road tires. The reason is simple. Offroad tires are made with multiple compounds and have different tread patterns. Together, these two separate attributes allow a vehicle to have the traction needed for conquering uneven surfaces like ice, mud, slush, snow, mud, and sand.

A suspension lift kit for offroad vehicles

Off-road vehicles cannot even function properly on novice-level trails let alone hardcore trails without a lift kit.

What’s that?

A lift kit lifts your vehicle to safe levels so that the suspension system of the vehicle doesn’t bottom out. Additionally, with the help of the increased ground clearance, you would not scrape the underside of your vehicle whenever you drive over an undulation.

Lift kits often come with heavy-duty bushings and suspensions. It is best that you install the aftermarket attachments that came with the lift kit you bought for your vehicle.

Additionally, don’t forget to replace the stock rubber bushings of your vehicle with polyurethane bushings since the latter offers impressive tensile strength and operational life.

A winch

An off-road vehicle without a winch?

Well, that’s unnatural, to be honest. Sure, you can venture into the great outdoors without a winch installed in your car. But if you get stuck in a sticky situation where your car is either stuck or is unable to progress without taking help from another fellow off-roader, you would wish that your car had a heavy-duty winch installed in it.

Just make sure the motor of the winch is suitable for the overall weight of your car. Additionally, the winch should come with a heavy-duty hook and at least 20 meters of heavy-duty steel cable.

Light bars

Off-road vehicles cannot simply rely on just their stock headlights when exploring the great outdoors especially when one has to drive through a trail at night. One would need to install one or multiple light bars at the hood of their car. Additional units should also be installed and pointed at the sides and rear of the car so that the driver has 360 degrees of illumination.

A snorkel

It is no news that off-road vehicles often need to cross creeks and even rivers. Without a snorkel, your car’s air inlet will suck in water. The outcome is that your car will be left with a damaged engine and associated components. To keep that from happening, install a snorkel. The snorkel’s top end acts as the air inlet thereby letting your car ‘breathe’ and function even when the entire car is underwater!

A connected vehicle device

Really? A connected vehicle device?

Yes. A connected vehicle device like a GPS tracker for car does more than track cars in real time. A modern-day GPS tracker or a simple car tracker gathers pertinent vehicle-related data from the ECU of a vehicle through its OBD 2 port. This is an important feature especially when you, your loved ones, and your vehicle are off the beaten path and away from any help on an offroad trail. With a connected vehicle device, you will be able to monitor your vehicle’s health. And if things start to look suspicious, you can cut the offroad trip short and fix the vehicle at the nearest authorized service center.

Additional equipment to make an off-road-ready car

You can also add quite a few additional offroad attachments to your vehicle to make it ready for all kinds of trails. For instance, you can add a skid plate to your vehicle in a bid to keep the radiator, the engine pan as well and the differentials of your car protected from rocks as well as sharp objects while approaching or leaving an inclination.

Additionally, attaching front and rear bull bars would help you to move obstacles from the path of your vehicle. Furthermore, you should not forget off-road compatible roof racks. Offroad compatible roof racks are one of the best road trip accessories one can install on their car in a bid to make it ideal for the great outdoors.

With that stated and out of the way, the post concludes!

So, you have finally put together a few thousand dollars with the sole aim of buying a grey market car. However, the car enthusiasts you know are telling you to do your homework on the 25 year rule.

They are also warning you to avoid violating the 25 year car rule as that might compel you to drive your beloved imported car to the scrapyard while the law enforcers keep their watchful eyes on you!

Scary, right?

Well, keep reading to get all your questions related to the 25-year rule answered.

What is the 25 year rule for cars?

The 25 year car import rule, in simple words, keeps a check on the imports of vehicles that are not officially sold in the United States by the car brands operating in the nation. The rule states that one can only import a vehicle to the US when the vehicle in question is at least 25 years old. Only when a vehicle is 25 years old, does the car in question become street-legal for the US roads.

What’s the goal of the 25 year car import rule?

The goal of the 25 year import rule is to strike a balance between the American classic car market, the current US-based OEM car market, and the foreign-market vehicles.

What’s the origin of the 25-year rule?

The origin of the 25-year import rule goes back to 1988. This was the time when people in the US were importing a lot of foreign market cars and also importing JDM cars. Back in 1988, the US Federal Government decided to regulate the number of imports of foreign market cars, by enforcing the above-mentioned US car import law.

Why do enthusiasts love to import foreign market cars?

Foreign market cars come with their fair share of upsides. One of them is that their designs are otherworldly. Furthermore, cars that are not sold in the US market often come with amazing features as well as on-board technology such as four-wheel steering.

Although such features look and feel amazing on paper and foreign roads, such Unique Selling Points might not always be suitable for US roads. Hence, the car in question becomes unsafe to drive on the US roads. Furthermore, chances are high that the foreign market car in question also fails to meet pedestrian safety rules and emissions standards followed here in the US.

Why foreign market cars are often called grey market cars?

Grey market cars are those imported cars that are brought to the US roads by importers who do not have any official license from the US government.

Grey market cars might not be fit for road use. They could be salvaged cars or cars that have been in a fatal crash. This is one area where the import rule for grey market cars shines as illegal importers will think twice about bringing in cars to US customers via proverbial ‘backdoors’.

Why wait for 25 years?

By waiting for 25 years, you are ensuring the car you are importing doesn’t cause the regulatory bodies to come up with new norms that may make the lives of existing car makers hard.

Don’t try to bypass the 25-year import rule

You can legally import a car to the US even if it is not technically 25 years old if the car will be used for ‘display’ purposes only.

However, the average car enthusiast should not bypass the rule.

Why?

Law enforcers would readily deny entry of your imported vehicle to the US if it is not 25 years old. Additionally, the vehicle might get seized or even destroyed right before your eyes completely! Furthermore, you might face fines and forfeits.

Even if you successfully import a foreign market car that is not yet 25 years old, please note that you won’t be able to sell the vehicle when the time comes. And even if you can find a buyer for the car, the offer price won’t even come close to the actual value of your car.

The 25-year import rule is unnecessary and essential at the same time!

The 25 year import rule helps car communities to welcome classic and collectible cars all the while ensuring the vehicles meet the rules penned by the authorities so that the US automobile sector can grow unhindered. Please ensure that when you finally get your hands on that 25-year-old Miata or that GT-R, you are diagnosing the vehicle with an OBD tracker. These devices help car owners to track their vehicles in real-time. Additionally, these devices also let a car owner keep tabs on the overall electro-mechanical condition of the vehicle.

Cars with internal combustion engines function normally thanks to their respective fuel systems.

So what’s a fuel system?

The fuel pump, the fuel lines, the fuel filter, and the fuel injectors are the macro elements in a car fuel system. However, an aftermarket JDM car fuel system will have additional parts in a bid to meet the expectations of the JDM car owner

But what can go wrong with your car’s fuel system?

Since a car fuel system consists of both mechanical as well as electronic parts, things will go wrong and the problems will manifest in the following ways.

Clogged fuel injectors

People who have spent some time under the hood of their car know for a fact that fuel injectors have specially shaped nozzles attached to the tip. These nozzles deliver fuel directly to the combustion chamber of an engine. Over time, carbon and particulate deposits build up around the nozzle of fuel injectors. The outcome is that the fuel injectors lose their efficiency and your engine suffers a sharp drop in its overall performance.

Fuel line leakages

Please note that fuel system problems can also crop up after an OTA update for car. For instance, the OEM decides to remotely alter the ECU of your car. The ECU of your car, in turn, instructs your car’s fuel pump to increase the fuel pressure. However, the new fuel pressure setting is not compatible with the stock fuel lines of your car. What happens next? Your car’s stock fuel lines break and you witness a puddle of gas beneath your car.

Clogged fuel filter

You have always wanted to increase the overall performance of your car but you are not a fan of aftermarket modifications. So what do you do? You replace the stock fuel filter of your car with a bigger OEM fuel filter. You make this change confidently as most upgrades for car fuel systems are often covered under extended warranty. However, you fail to fill up your car with high-quality fuel and end up clogging the fuel filter.

How to solve fuel system problems?

Well, you begin by using a connected car tracking device in a bid to ascertain which aspects of your car’s fuel system are performing poorly.

Then you take the following actions.

• You let professionals have the vehicle health data your preferred OBD car tracker has accumulated about your car.
• Then the professionals identify the problematic parts that need repairs or replacements.
• After that, the problematic parts such as the fuel lines, the fuel filter, or the fuel pump are replaced (not repaired).
• After that, finally, the entire fuel system of your car should be cleaned by the experts.

Take care of your car and it will take care of you

Ensure that when you change the spark plugs of your turbocharged diesel engine or gasoline engine-equipped car you are also changing its engine oil. Furthermore, ask the people at the OEM-authorized service center to take a gander at your vehicle’s fuel system. In this way, your vehicle will never fail you and leave stranded in the middle of nowhere.

A vehicle can experience electromechanical issues at any time, but the chances of breakdowns go up when the vehicle is used rather than new.

It would help if you remembered that owning a vehicle is an expensive affair. However, owning a used car is more expensive since it would often need part replacements and troubleshooting.

So what’s the solution? How can a used vehicle owner keep their vehicle ownership costs down?

Well, a used vehicle owner should invest in a used car extended warranty plan.

What are extended warranties for used cars?

The additional OEM coverage plan that one can buy for a vehicle from the OEM or a third party in a bid to pay partial or entire costs associated with repairing a vehicle if the vehicle suffers an electromechanical breakdown is known as an extended warranty.

Used car extended warranty – how important is it?

Used car extended warranties are pretty important especially when one owns a used car or used fleet vehicle.

Take a look at the following factors that make used car extended warranty plans important for fleet vehicle and personal vehicle owners.

Part and labor costs are covered under extended warranties

So you have witnessed after plugging in a car obd2 tracker to your used vehicle that it is generating quite a few errors. That indicates your used car will need part replacements and subsequent ECU tuning – all of this will entail hefty labor and parts costs. With an extended warranty for used cars, the labor costs and part costs will be covered.

Extended used car warranties are honored in certified repair shops

Please note that extended warranties for used cars are honored in all OEM-authorized service centers. Hence, you would not need to worry that your vehicle’s extended warranty will fail to shield you from additional expenses whenever your vehicle acts out and you’d have to take it to an OEM service center.

Reduced used vehicle ownership costs

Extended warranties for used cars also help owners to reduce the ownership cost associated with the used vehicle. You see, with extended warranties in place, you, the owner of the used vehicle, can get hefty discounts on repairs, labor costs, and even the cost of the new parts installed in the vehicle.

It is that simple.

Warranties protect the vehicle against depreciation and they are transferable as well

Extended warranties for used fleet vehicles protect a vehicle against depreciation. The best part is that, even if the vehicle changes hands, the extended warranty goes to the new owner along with the vehicle. In this way, if you want to sell the used vehicle, you can ask for a better price and at the same time, strongly negotiate with the buyer of the vehicle.

Drive your used vehicle with confidence

Buying a used car or fleet vehicle can be a gamble and it is natural for you to feel insecure especially when the vehicle doesn’t have any warranty. And since used vehicle warranties entail quite a few benefits, getting one makes sense now, doesn’t it?

Connectivity – the foundation of our lives these days.

From the smartwatch on your wrist to the connected refrigerator in your home and the car in your parking space, every modern offering receives its respective ‘performance’ and ‘security’ updates over the air.

Over-the-air updates are a vast subject however; this post will discuss car OTA updates

What are automotive OTA updates?

An automotive OTA update can patch a security vulnerability of a modern car, enhance its performance, or turn on a feature within the car that was not available to the owner initially but has been made available after the owner ‘subscribed’ the feature.

One of the many enticing facts about automotive OTA updates is that they can be sent to a car via Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and even the cloud. This multi-platform approach makes automotive OTA updates a coveted technology among global car manufacturers.

How do OTA updates for cars work?

Automotive OTA updates work in the following manner.

• A new software or firmware update is created and released by the OEM to its cloud
• The update is sent to the targeted users via cellular, Wi-Fi, or the cloud itself
• A pop-up shows up in the infotainment or MID screen of the user’s car
• The update is installed in the vehicle after the action is confirmed by the car owner

How do modern vehicles get OTA updates?

Car OTA updates are received by modern cars from their OEMs directly via the connected Wi-Fi of the owner’s smartphone or the cellular network of the embedded SIM card within the car’s infotainment system.

After the update is received, it is installed in the vehicle after receiving permission from the car owner. Just like a connected car tracking device, your connected vehicle is ready to address your needs. While connected to the vehicle, the OEMs also collect essential data points from the customer’s vehicle, such as GPS data, ECU data, speed, etc.

What are the advantages of automotive OTA updates?

Much like the humble car tracker that had become the norm for car owners, receiving automotive over-the-air updates is also slowly but surely becoming the norm.

Why?

Well, OTA updates for cars bring the following benefits with them.

• Maintaining, fixing, and improving the overall experience of a vehicle becomes easy since it is done remotely.
• OTA-updated cars remain safe both for the owner and other motorists on the road since issues with the car are fixed quickly.
• OTA updates help lock or unlock inactive features within a car only when the vehicle owner ‘subscribes’ to the said feature. This allows the car maker to generate additional revenue from their cars especially when the car in question is in the midst of its product life cycle.
• OTA updates allow OEMs to collect relevant data from their customer’s cars. In this way, they can predict possible future issues with a car and send fixes for the same before the issue(s) actually shows up in a car.

How secure are OTA automotive updates?

Just like the humble car GPS tracker has come a long way from being a luxurious option to being a part of the entire car ownership experience, the automotive OTA updates scene is also going through a lot of changes. One of those changes is addressing the security concerns associated with car OTA updates.

Unlike the initial days of car OTA updates, the modern generation of automotive OTA updates are shielded against –

• Spoofing
• Tampering
• Privilege permission alterations or
• Information leakage

Why do cars need OTA updates?

Just like you need a GPS tracker for car to keep it safe, your modern connected car needs OTA updates for -

• Map information updates
• Audio experience upgrades
• Infotainment and MID user interface optimization
• Car infotainment app updates
• In-car experience updates
• Powertrain performance fixes
• Updates for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

OTA updates are now part of the connected car experience

If you bought a modern car, the vehicle will automatically get OTA updates. However, when it comes to route planning, theft protection, or gas expense calculations, you cannot do that without the help of the best GPS tracker for car – remember that!

The Miata from the Japanese mass-market car brand Mazda is one of the most iconic and loved compact sports cars in the world.

But why?

Why is the Mazda Miata sold in millions across its many generations and why Miata is always the answer when you want a fun sports car? Well, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a complete package, to be honest. Additionally, behind its success, the following reasons are instrumental.

The Legacy of the Mazda Miata: A Cult Classic

Whether it is the OG Miata from 1989, the Mazda Miata 1990, or the present iteration of the car, Mazda made sure that the Miata retained its driver-centric authenticity in terms of driving dynamics as well as performance.

Since its inception, the Miata has been applauded for its sass, peppiness, and sheer driving pleasure. Mazda made sure that the 2024 Mazda Miata also retained the attributes the Miata is known for. That’s the story we all know. However, what most people don’t know is that the Miata has attained the label of the world’s best-selling roadster. One must also remember that the abovementioned ‘label’ is debatable and often criticized. Despite the criticism, the Miata brand has retained its popularity and garnered a cult following in the global car community.

It’s a fun drop-top car

The Mazda MX 5 Miata since its inception, has been offered with both hard tops as well as soft tops. Combine this feature with the overall fun nature and driving dynamics of the Miata and you end up with a fun drop-top car that lets you enjoy every drive. Despite a small cabin and short footprint, the hard-top Miata offers a significant amount of headroom to the driver and the co-driver.

A well-packaged car, don’t you think?

It offers a driver-focused interior

The Mazda MX5 Miata has always been a driver-focused car. Hence, it is natural for the interior of the car to be driver-focused as well.

What does a driver-focused interior mean?

Well, the interior of the Miata is free from distractions. In simple words, the cockpit of the car is equipped with just the necessary pieces of equipment. However, the latest iteration of the Miata comes with modern features like a push-start button, modern safety features, etc.

But compared to other ‘modern cars’ that are often packed with large screens, the Miata still prefers analog dials that create a synergy with the digital multi-information display in the dashboard.

It’s a reliable little car

People love reliable car brands. In recent years, in terms of reliability, Mazda has been ranking high and has been often in league with top reliable car brands like Toyota. The reason behind the brand’s newfound fame among car owners as a reliable brand is the company’s commitment to its customer base, impressive engineering, and outlandish quality control protocols.

In terms of reliability both the latest iteration as well as the most popular Mazda Miata 1995 scores high.

The suspension of the Miata has always been a USP

The Miata has always handled itself well on straight lines as well as on the corners. It is no surprise that the latest iteration of the car will continue to come with a well-tuned suspension. Just make sure you are keeping the car in its prime electromechanical condition.

Also, the Miata is backed by a lively aftermarket community

There are reasons for loving the 1990 Mazda Miata then there’s ‘the’ reason to love the 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Here’s the enunciation.

You see, behind the success of a sports car, there has to be an active aftermarket modification scene backing it. The Miata benefits from just that – a vibrant car community that literally worships the car in all of its avatars.

Whether you want a specified car tracker that is compatible with the 12 V power outlet of the Miata or swap the stock engine with a turbocharged diesel engine you’ll get it easily. The aftermarket support for the Miata is exceptional. Furthermore, modifying the Miata is pretty easy. You can do it by yourself. Let’s conclude this post with the notion that if you want to own a car that is fun, sassy, and affordable, go for the Miata, period!

Car makers do all they can to make sure that the vehicles coming out of their assembly lines meet national and international safety norms.

However, as cars are becoming more complex and packed with a bunch of technologies, it is natural that the chances of some issues going unnoticed have increased by several folds.

Additionally, problems within a vehicle can also arise well several years after it has left the assembly line.

To ensure that their customers remain safe while driving their vehicles and that their overall global reputation does not get tarnished, vehicle manufacturers often issue voluntary vehicle safety recalls for the cars they offer.

The sections below will enunciate what a vehicle recall is and why it is an important part of the global automotive sector.

Let’s begin.

What are vehicle recalls?

The process initiated by a vehicle manufacturer when a safety issue is identified in vehicles manufactured during a particular model year(s) is known as auto recalls.

Vehicle recalls by manufacturers are initiated so that vehicle issues are solved in a bid to keep motorists safe and the overall image of a vehicle manufacturer intact.

Who enforces vehicle recalls?

Car recalls are enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which is a part of the US Department of Transportation.

Are vehicle recalls serious?

Yes. Vehicle recalls should be taken very seriously by vehicle owners. Driving a vehicle that has outstanding recall notices is dangerous. The ideal vehicle owner refrains from ignoring vehicle recall notices.

How long do vehicle recalls last?

Technically, NHTSA recalls do not come with an expiration date. However, vehicle manufacturers can choose not to sort out issues with vehicles that are more than 15 years old from the date they were sold by vehicle dealerships.

Do vehicle recalls expire?

Long story short, no! Vehicle safety recalls do not expire. However, OEMs can choose not to sort out issues with a vehicle that is more than 15 years old.

Can you check recall data for your car?

Yes, a recall check can be initiated by visiting https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. The recall lookup is a service offered on the official website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - a part of the US Department of Transportation.

What is the process of a car recall?

The process of a car recall is as follows. OEM finds out about a safety issue with their cars. Then they notify vehicle owners via snail mail, calls, or e-mail. The notification can be in the form of recalls by VIN or a generalized one. The vehicle owner(s) then book an appointment at the nearest OEM-authorized service center. The problem with the car is fixed and paid for by the OEM.

Why do OEMs recall vehicles and why recalls are so important?

A vehicle recall is initiated by vehicle manufacturers to keep their overall image intact.

Additionally, vehicle recalls help keep people, roads, and vehicles safe. Furthermore, if left unchecked, underlying safety issues within a vehicle can lead to life-altering injuries or even the death of a car owner. And when this happens, a vehicle manufacturer can be sued, compelled to pay fines to national or international authorities, and even lose clients to the competition!

Additionally, underlying issues within a modern vehicle cannot be fixed by vehicle owners. Modern cars are pretty complex and are not at all DIY-friendly. Hence, if you are one of those car owners who like to fix their cars by themselves, refrain from fixing your car that has been recalled by its manufacturer. You might end up exacerbating the problem and even end up risking your life and the lives of others.

Who pays for car recalls? The owner or the OEM?

The short answer is no, as a vehicle owner, you would not have to pay a penny when your vehicle is being fixed at the service center after it has been recalled by its manufacturer.

As per the law, when a vehicle is being recalled by its manufacturer, the OEM can repair the issue but cannot ask for a single penny from the vehicle owner. If this is not possible and the problem cannot be fixed, then the OEM would have to replace the problematic vehicle with a similar or identical model. If none of these solutions can be implemented by the OEM, the manufacturer can refund the entire purchase price of the vehicle.

For the best results, as a modern vehicle owner, develop the habit of using a real-time car tracker to ensure your vehicle’s overall condition is in its prime.

What are the common reasons behind a vehicle recall?

Vehicle recalls are initiated by OEMS for several reasons and some of them are as follows.

Issues with the steering system

Even the best vehicle tracker can’t help a car owner navigate a tricky road if the steering system of their vehicle is acting out. If an OEM detects that their cars are having steering system issues, a voluntary recall will be initiated by the manufacturer. Possible problems with a vehicle’s steering system can be with, but not limited to its stabilizers, wheel assembly, control arms, suspension bushings, etc. Whatever may be the issue, the problem will be fixed by the OEM service center free of cost.

Leaking fuel tank or fuel lines

Do you often witness that even after preplanning your routes with an OBD 2 tracker, your vehicle is consuming fuel excessively?

Maybe your vehicle’s fuel tank and fuel lines have leaks or its fuel pump has hidden issues. Poor welding of the fuel tank or poor positioning of the fuel lines could lead to leaks. Additionally, a less powerful fuel pump could also be the culprit. Irrespective of the case, if recalls are issued for vehicles similar to the one you own, take the car to the OEM-authorized service center as soon as possible.

Issues with the braking system

So, the connected car GPS tracker of your vehicle has been coughing up vehicle health reports highlighting your car has issues with its braking system. However, even after bleeding the brake lines and replacing the brake pads, the issues remain in your car. In the meantime, your car manufacturer chose to initiate a recall drive for a vehicle similar to yours citing issues with their brakes. Jump on the opportunity and get your car fixed free of cost.

Issues with the wire harness

You have been trying to plug in a car tracker device that you like into your car’s OBD port for a while but the device never powers on. You thought that the device was to blame however that is not the case. Perhaps, the issue lies with the wire harness of your car. Maybe the OBD 2 port of your vehicle is not even properly connected to the rest of the car. Troublesome news, right? If the OEM of your vehicle has issued a voluntary recall citing issues with the wire harness of similar vehicles like yours, take the recall notice seriously and get the car fixed without spending a penny.

Issues with the airbags

One of the most important safety mechanisms in a modern vehicle is its airbags. If you notice that the in-dash airbag indicator notification lamp is illuminated and doesn’t go away, then it is confirmed that your vehicle’s airbags are faulty and might not even deploy when the time comes.

Additionally, the airbags may even deploy on their own when you are simply getting groceries. If the manufacturer of your vehicle has figured out that this is a common issue among the batch of vehicles whose part your car is as well, then they would issue a recall notice. Use your preferred car tracking device and head on over to the nearest OEM service center to get the problem fixed.

Recalls are pretty important – keep an eye out for them

Vehicle recalls are important. They help keep motorists safe and vehicle manufacturers in business. If recall notices for your vehicle are ever issued, take the car to the authorized service center and get it fixed. Don’t delay. That is the way of the wise!

GPS trackers have made their way into the lives of everyday folks. At the same time, entrepreneurs also understand that the challenges of fleet management can only be streamlined when they have implemented fleet GPS tracker devices in their daily operations.

Here’s why every business needs GPS trackers

There are several reasons why fleet GPS tracking solutions are slowly but surely becoming a part and parcel of running a business. The most prominent reasons are as follows.

A connected fleet is a safe fleet

The best fleet GPS tracker device range helps businesses keep their in-house fleets of semi trucks, rental cars, and panel vans; (whichever is applicable) safe by monitoring how the vehicles are being driven.

Additionally, fleet trackers benefit businesses by ensuring that none of the semi-truck and panel van drivers are overexerting themselves behind the wheel. Overexerted drivers often cause massive pileups on freeways. Additionally, an overexerted driver fails to make split-second decisions which usually lead to crashes, injuries, and even fatalities.

If that was not convincing enough for you then remember that certain fleet vehicle tracking devices help businesses track their stolen vehicles and even locate the vehicle when it has been towed away without notice.

A connected fleet is a productive fleet

Using one of the best fleet car tracker devices for your business lets you keep tabs on the overall activities of your fleet vehicle drivers. And when their actions are scrutinized, they will seldom partake in unproductive activities, especially during their active duty hours. Additionally, connected vehicle solutions for fleet vehicles help keep fleet vehicles from being used in any other activities except official duties.

Additionally, fleet tracking solutions help businesses shed paper-based business management. Why that’s important?

Well, paperless fleet management is better since you won’t have to worry about documents getting lost, damaged, or manipulated. Furthermore, businesses that have invested in used fleet vehicles instead of new fleet vehicles can use fleet trackers in a bid to keep tabs on the overall conditions of those vehicles. In this way, the chances of a used fleet vehicle breaking down in the middle of a delivery run would go down significantly.

Furthermore, real-time data accumulated by fleet trackers such as driver behavior lets fleet managers optimize routes on the fly in a bid to reduce delivery times and overall fleet running costs.

How?

Well, route optimization lets fleet managers ensure the fleet vehicles they are managing are completing deliveries using the shortest routes which in turn lowers the fuel consumed by a semi-truck or panel van. It’s that simple!

A connected fleet is a secured fleet

Supply chain management is an integral part of running a business in this interconnected world and this won’t be possible without fleet trackers.

Here’s the explanation.

You see, it is not that only private cars crash and burn due to driver error. Fleet vehicles also cause accidents due to improper driver actions or load planning. Loadplanning in fleet management is an important part of running a business. A semi-truck hauling a trailer with an imbalanced load will surely tumble when the vehicle takes a sharp turn at high speeds. A connected vehicle solution like a fleet tracker can help fleet managers plan a route that has minimal undulations thereby reducing the chances of the improperly loaded vehicle toppling during a typical delivery run.

Adopt GPS Tracking Technology Today In Your Business

It is clear by now that implementing connected vehicle solutions designed for fleets is pretty beneficial for businesses. However, the catch is that you’d have to ensure the connected vehicle solution you have selected for your business offers pertinent features like driver monitoring, vehicle health monitoring, gas station evaluation, engine idle monitoring, etc. If this is not the case then your business won’t be able to unlock its true potential let alone make its fleet efficient and safe.

Pure electric vehicles do not come with engines. However, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles do come with an internal combustion engine that acts more or less like a generator that kicks in the moment the battery pack of the EV goes out of juice.

We are getting sidetracked. Let’s get back to the topic.

Whether you own a pure electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, remember that although the number of moving parts in an EV is less, this type of vehicle also needs a bit of care from its owners. For instance, modern EV owners tend to use connected vehicle solutions for EVs in a bid to keep tabs on their EVs. However, that is not enough. As an EV owner, you’d also need to remember the following things.

The battery pack needs special care

The most important part of an electric vehicle is its battery pack. At the same time, the most expensive part of an electric vehicle is its battery pack. To put things into perspective, replacing the battery pack of an Electric Vehicle costs half of a new EV’s sticker price. For the best results, ensure that your EV is being tracked using a Vyncs real-time tracker for teen drivers that will not only let you track your vehicle but also keep teen drivers within the geozones that you have set. Furthermore, with the help of devices like a Vyncs OBD GPS tracker, you will also be able to gauge how much range your EV is giving you per charge. Please note that you should never let your EV’s battery pack overcharge. Furthermore, you should never let the battery pack of your EV reach below 20% regularly. Fail to follow this tip and you are automatically shortening the operational life of your EV’s battery pack.

Ensure the vehicle is parked at a safe and secured place

Although the battery packs of modern EVs come with dedicated Battery Management Systems as well as heating and cooling systems, excess ambient heat or sudden drops in ambient temperature can wreak havoc on the battery pack of an EV. This is the reason why, an EV owner should make sure that they are using connected vehicle solutions like a Vyncs vehicle tracking device in a bid to search a covered parking space. A covered parking space will keep your EV protected against the elements. Additionally, the battery pack of your EV will not get damaged due to drastic temperature changes.

Change the oil on time (applies to PHEVs)

It is no news that electric vehicles do not need oil changes since they do not have any internal combustion engines.

However, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles do come with an engine and an engine does need periodic oil changes. If you want to ensure that your plug-in hybrid electric vehicle remains operating as it should then change its engine oil on time.

Additionally, you can track your electric vehicle in a bid to gauge how fuel-efficient the vehicle is. You can also track the overall health of your PHEV by keeping tabs on the vehicle’s several systems such as its cooling system, HVAC system, etc.

Don’t forget to take care of the brakes

EVs come with regenerative braking but still rely heavily on traditional braking systems. Hence, it is natural for your EV to come equipped with EBD, ABS, brake lines, brake fluid reservoir, etc. And just like a normal vehicle, your EV would also need periodic brake oil changes, brake pad changes, and EBD/ABS module diagnostics. Don’t forget these preventative maintenance steps if you want to keep your EV operational for a long time. You can also install a real-time EV tracker in a bid to track your overall driving behavior so that you do not end up breaking your EV prematurely.

Electric vehicles are not entirely maintenance-free – remember this

Electric vehicles are not entirely maintenance free especially if you own a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Whether you own a pure electric, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, develop the habit of using an electric vehicle tracking device. These smart GPS tracker devices are capable of keeping tabs on your EV’s overall health. Additionally, an OBD GPS tracker device will also let you develop driving habits that would let you get more range out of your EV.

Back in the day, vehicles used to be a luxury. However, they were nothing more than electromechanical contraptions with no creature comforts that transported people/cargo from one point to the other. These days, cars are considered a necessity and at the same time, come equipped with a host of creature comforts and enhanced features.

This post in the following sections will highlight a few car features that every OEM should make a standard offering for their car lineups.

Let’s begin.

Automatic headlamps or high beams

Just like a modern tracker device for vehicle that can help automatically track the location of a car, automatic headlamps with auto high beam feature can automatically select high or low beam depending on oncoming traffic and available ambient light.

This is a feature that adds quite a bit of value to a vehicle. The reason is simple. Automatic headlamps and high beam is more or less a safety feature that lets the driver keep their hands on the wheel instead of fiddling with the headlight stalk while driving the car.

However, we recommend that if you buy a car with automatic headlamps and auto high beam feature, ensure that you also use a car tracking device that offers vehicle diagnostic services. In this way, you will also be able to ensure that the system is functional. And when it isn’t, you’ll know and will be able to fix the issue right away.

Electric door handles

You have seen flush, hidden, or electric door handles in certain cars like the Tesla Model 3. Now, to be honest, flush door handles don’t really add any value to a car except the fact that they look cool. This is a modern feature that every car should have granted. However, unlike an OBD2 tracker or a car GPS tracker, that actually adds value to a car; flush door handles do not add any value. Additionally, a car with flush door handles will definitely cost more than vehicles that come with normal door handles.

We recommend that you buy such cars only if you prefer the ‘cool’ look they offer. If you are looking for value-adding car features, you can choose a car that has proximity sensors installed in it.

A car with proximity sensor(s) would lock all of its doors when you walk away from it and unlock all doors when you step close to the vehicle. This feature should be a standard offering – which is yet to happen.

If you find such a car that has this feature installed in it straight from the factory, buy it without a second thought.

Tire pressure monitoring

Just like owning a car tracking device has become a norm, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are slowly but surely becoming a standard part of cars from all brands. The reason is simple. TPMSs make it easy for a car owner to keep track of their vehicle’s tire pressures. Additionally, the instances of a flat tire, a tire blowout or unevenly wearing tires become things of the past for vehicles that come with a TPMS.

Additionally, since tire pressure directly influences fuel economy and the amount of traction available to each tire of a vehicle, it makes sense to own a vehicle that comes equipped with OEM-installed TPMS now, doesn’t it?

Don’t let people at the dealership upsell you a car

Unlike GPS OBD tracker brands and brands that offer GPS tracker for vehicles, car salespeople are hardwired to sell cars and fulfill their monthly targets. To achieve their targets, the salespeople at car showrooms often try to upsell certain trims and options packages to customers. Don’t fall for this. Even if you want to own a car with flush door handles or ventilated seats, remember fancy features don’t come cheap. Additionally, the more creature comforts a car has, the higher the chances for the car to break down. Furthermore, fixing up fancy features of a modern car also entails hefty bills. Hence, try to buy a car with the features that you need. That’s the way to be a smart car buyer, in our opinion.

A road trip can be taken at any time. Traveling from one end of the country to the other end is a pretty amazing experience. However, road trips can be hazardous if a car owner like you does not follow road trip safety tips like the ones mentioned below.

#1 - Don’t forget to wear your seatbelts

One of the top safety tips for road trips you can follow is never forgetting to put on your seatbelt and convincing others in your car to buckle up as well. Reports suggest that the moment you buckle up, you reduce your chances of getting seriously hurt during a car crash by more than 50 %.

Think about it.

#2 - Don’t forget to take your car to the service center before the trip

Before beginning your road trip, don’t forget to take your car to the service center. Also, refer to the recommendations your preferred connected vehicle device shows in its accompanying app. You should make sure that the service recommendations the device shows in the vehicle health report are followed by the mechanic. Additionally, ensure that your vehicle’s tire pressure, tire treads, fluid levels, wiper blades, etc. are as per OEM recommendations.

Additionally, don’t forget to pack a tire inflator or tire repair kit as these devices are important road trip accessories you can pack before hitting the road.

#3 - Don’t hit the road without getting adequate sleep

Avoid hitting the road while you haven’t even had a good night’s sleep. To put things into perspective, close to seven thousand road accidents here in the United States, happen because the person behind the wheel was drowsy and was unable to make momentary decisions let alone keep their car in the right lane!

If the people with you on the road trip are unable to drive and you are feeling drowsy, pull over to the side of the road and sleep for some time. If that is not in the cards then you can stop driving, get out of the car, and stretch your legs.

Additionally, you can take the help of your preferred real time car tracker to look for cafes near you. Stop at a café and have a few shots of espressos in a bid to shake off your drowsiness.

Do whatever you can but do not drive your car while you are feeling sleepy.

#4 - Don’t forget to keep an eye out for drunk drivers

Road trips are fun. However, road trips are dangerous as well. If you want numbers to back the previous statement then remember that here in the States, every 39 minutes, a person dies due to a drunk driver’s actions behind the wheel.

Hence, you have to ensure that you are keeping your eyes peeled during the road trip for other motorists who are driving under the influence of alcohol. For the best results, you can use a no monthly fee GPS tracker and plan your route in a manner that the route avoids roads passing through neighborhoods where bars are a common sight.

#5 – Don’t forget to plan the trip ahead

You need to ensure that you and the people accompanying you have a clear idea of where you all are headed. If proper planning is not part of your road trip then you might end up getting stuck at a muddy trench or inside an unsafe neighborhood.

Use the leading car GPS tracker map and plan the entire trip so that you, your car, and the rest of your companions can stay ahead of every hindrance by several miles!

Let others drive for a while

Just like you are relying on the leading GPS tracker for cars to plan your trip, rely on other people in your car with the driving part. As already established, driving when you are distracted, drowsy, or even bored is dangerous. When you feel that it is getting hard for you to keep driving your car, pull over to the side of the road and let any one of the people in your car drive it until you feel like sitting behind the wheel once again.

Without spark plugs, internal combustion engine-powered vehicles won’t even start let alone move from a standstill. There could be instances where in a multi-cylinder engine, one of the many spark plugs is functional while the rest are dead. In such cases, cold-starts would become next to impossible as well as misfires will become a common issue. Sure a car tracking device with connected vehicle capabilities can help you diagnose what exactly is wrong with your vehicle, but until the worn-out spark plugs are not replaced with new ones, the lingering issues won’t go away.

So what exactly are spark plugs?

Spark plugs are small devices that are capable of generating powerful sparks

What’s the function of a spark plug in an internal combustion engine?

You can surely drive and own a vehicle without a connected vehicle device, but you cannot drive a car without spark plugs.

Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber of an engine. This is the first step in the combustion process of an internal combustion engine. After the air-fuel mixture is ignited, the controlled explosion drives the pistons of the engine downwards, thereby initiating a continuous cycle of suction, compression, explosion, and exhaust.

Working principle of a spark plug

Just like an OBD-compliant GPS tracking device that helps you track the real-time fuel consumption of your vehicle, the spark plugs of your vehicle start working only after you turn the ignition key of your vehicle.

As soon as you turn the ignition key of your vehicle, electricity from your vehicle’s battery powers the induction coil inside its engine. This coil is responsible for converting the electricity from your vehicle’s 12-volt battery to approximately 45,000 volts so that the spark plugs can generate the sparks which kick starts the combustion cycle of the engine.

Just like a connected vehicle management system device is the norm for a modern vehicle owner like you, spark plugs have been the norm for the automobile sector since time immemorial.

Signs of faulty spark plugs

Even the best OBD GPS trackers won’t help you keep your vehicle in its prime operational condition if the spark plugs within its engine are failing.

So how can you tell as a vehicle owner that the spark plugs in your vehicle are on their way out?

Well, all you have to do is look for the following signs.

• You are hearing a constant rattling sound coming out of your vehicle’s engine – a sign that the spark plugs are firing at the wrong time
• Cold starting your vehicle is a jerky experience!
• The overall performance of the engine (in terms of acceleration) is reduced by a significant margin
• Your vehicle is consuming more fuel than it should – you are trying your best to reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption by track your driving habits but still, a lot of fuel is being wasted and emitted out through the tailpipe unburnt since the spark plugs are unable to burn the fuel properly.

Benefits of on-time spark plug replacements

On-time spark plug replacements have several benefits associated with it and they are as follows.

• The combustion cycle of your engine will be optimal
• Your car will run more miles per gallon of fuel
• Cold starts will be effortless
• Your vehicle will emit fewer harmful elements from its tailpipe

Faulty spark plugs should be replaced expeditiously

As soon as you notice the primary signs of faulty spark plugs, take your vehicle to the nearest service center and get the old units replaced with new ones. Being one of the primary electromechanical components in an engine, the spark plugs in your vehicle need to be in their prime. You do not want your vehicle to completely break down in the middle of nowhere now do you?

Movies – they help us escape reality for a while; live the lives of the characters on the silver screen and enter a world of fantasy.

The special effects, the background score, and the story all come together and take us on a magical journey filled with thrills, drama, action, and even horror. Sometimes, the most memorable aspect of a movie comes in the form of a vehicle.

This blog is dedicated to three of the most popular movie cars whose memories are etched forever in our minds.

Mini Cooper S – showcased in the movie ‘The Italian Job’

The Italian Job was one of the most popular car movies. The film is packed with action, drama, and thrill. The movie was about a successful heist followed by betrayal and revenge.

Anyway, the crowning moment in the film was when a bunch of nimble cars from the UK were chosen and loaded up to their brim with gold bars.

We are talking about the classic Mini.

The Italian Job was somehow instrumental in making the original Mini a desirable classic car from the UK.

So what were the specifications of the classic Mini back in the day?

The stock Mini was a front wheel drive car that came with a manual 4-speed gearbox. Powering the vehicle was a 1275 CC engine tuned to produce 62 hp and 95 Nm of torque.

Owning and maintaining classic cars is already an expensive affair.

However, you can somewhat reduce the costs associated with running a classic car by tracking your driving habits using the smartphone app that came with your preferred car tracking device or connected vehicle device.

How about that?

Aston Martin DB5 – showcased in the movie ‘Goldfinger’

A James Bond film is all about pretty women, action, and impressive cars.

Hence, it is no surprise that Goldfinger showcased the most impressive vehicle of the time – the Aston Martin DB5.

The car was specifically modified for Mr. Bond in the film by equipping it with machine guns, rear and front rams, RADAR, and an ejector seat! Sure it was and still isn’t compatible with connected car solutions but it surely could rip up the tarmac.

Here’s why!

The vehicle came with a Direct Overhead Camshaft equipped straight-6-cylinder, 4.0-liter engine. The OEM tuning was 282–325 bhp and 380–390 Nm of torque. One had the option to have the car with either a 5-speed ZF manual transmission or a BorgWarner 3-speed automatic transmission.

What’s fascinating is that the real-time fuel consumption of the car was a combined 17 miles per gallon!

Volkswagen Beetle – showcased in the movie ‘Herbie’

There are many people out there who often treat their vehicles like a sentient being. Probably, taking note of this, the makers of Herbie decided that the protagonist should be a VW Beetle from the 1963 model year. The specifications of the vehicle used in the movie are as follows.

The vehicle came with an 1192 cc engine that was tuned to produce 40 BHP and 87 Nm of torque. The engine was mated with a 4-speed manual transaxle transmission.

Both on-screen and off-screen, the VW Beetle was a cute vehicle. It is no wonder that ‘Herbie’ got etched forever in the minds of car enthusiasts from all over the world in no time.

People fade from memory, vehicles don’t!

Often people remember electromechanical characters like a car from a movie instead of flesh-and-bone actors. Those are the situations where you have to understand that the car in question has attained legendary status!

If you own any one of the above cars in your garage, you can use the mobile app that comes with your daily driver’s OBD vehicle tracker to set service reminders for your classic car. In this way, you can keep your new and classic vehicles in their prime electromechanical conditions for decades to come!

The technology that goes into deriving diesel from crude oil has come a long way. The advent of ultra-low sulfur diesel and biodiesel are two great examples of how the fuel developed over the decades. Additionally, the invention of diesel particulate filters and the development of engineering prowess that made diesel engines more fuel efficient also add to the discussion when the topic is the turbocharged diesel engine’s journey since its inception.

The applications of turbocharged diesel engines are wide and varied. The primary application of turbocharged diesel engines is in semi-trucks and pickup trucks. Diesel engines are bulletproof however, they are not invincible. Semi-truck and pickup truck drivers need to remember certain tips that would allow them to prolong the lives of their vehicle’s turbocharged diesel engines.

Some of those tips are mentioned in the sections below.

#1 – Let the engine idle for a few minutes

Always ensure that you are letting your turbocharged diesel engine vehicle run for a while in a bid to achieve optimal operational temperature before stepping on the throttle and driving off.

The reason is simple. When the engine is allowed to run for a while, the internal parts of the machine get properly doused in engine oil. This ensures premature wear of engine internals is kept at bay.

Then there is the objective of prolonging the life of the vehicle.

One of the primary challenges of fleet management is to ensure that commercial vehicles last for a long time. This objective can be easily achieved by installing real-time fleet tracking devices in vehicles with turbocharged diesel engines. Furthermore, an affordable fleet tracking system also lets heavy-duty vehicle drivers gauge their performance as drivers. Gauging driving parameters helps drivers learn ways to prolong the life of their turbocharged diesel engine-equipped vehicle by several folds.

It is as simple as that!

#2 – Diesel additives are your vehicle’s friends

Diesel additives are your vehicle’s turbocharged diesel engine’s friends. They are not only good for the turbocharger attached to the engine but also for the engine as a whole. Oil additives keep the heat-related damages sustained by the turbocharger and the engine internals to a bare minimum.

Additionally, fuel additives prevent diesel fuel from solidifying when the ambient temperature drops below freezing.

#3 – Please change the engine oil and diesel fuel filters on time

Diesel engine goes through a lot. They are put through a lot of stress especially when the vehicle is used to haul trailers loaded with oversized cargo. Additionally, turbocharging a diesel engine also means the internal components of the machine will be regularly subjected to hellish operational temperatures.

Excessive stress and operational temperatures mean that the engine oil inside a turbocharged diesel unit will need to be changed frequently. Ensure that the oil is changed as per OEM-specified mileage/interval. Furthermore, ensure that the diesel fuel filter of your turbocharged diesel engine is also changed on time alongside its intake filter so that the machine can ‘breathe’ and ‘drink’ normally.

If you are unable to track the service intervals, rely on fleet telematics offering fleet route optimization feature. With route optimization, as a commercial vehicle driver or as a commercial vehicle fleet manager, you will be able to save a lot of money especially when it comes to fleet vehicle maintenance.

# 4 – Use the right coolant for your turbocharged diesel engine

Always ensure that you are pouring OEM-specified coolants into your vehicle’s turbocharged diesel engine. The reason is simple. Pouring the wrong coolant type in your vehicle’s turbocharged diesel engine can cause irreversible damage to its cooling system due to unwanted chemical reactions between the active ingredients of the ‘wrong’ coolant with the internal metallic surfaces of the system.

In case you are stuck at a place where your engine’s coolant levels are low and the ‘right’ coolant is not available, you can always pour some purified drinking water. However, as soon as you enter a locale where the ‘right’ coolant is available, pour the same into your vehicle’s engine cooling system. Leaving excess water in the engine’s cooling system is hazardous especially if you drive your turbocharged diesel engine-equipped vehicle at a place where the temperature drops below freezing.

Additionally, start using fleet trackers so that you can plot a route that has multiple service stations that also sell spare parts. Additionally, connected vehicle solutions can also help you ensure your vehicle is maintained at OEM-specified intervals.

Diesel engines are robust but only when you take care of them

Taking care of your vehicle’s turbocharged diesel engine is pretty easy, to be honest. To sum up, the tips mentioned in the above sections of this post, let’s begin with the fact that you should not rev the engine just after turning it on. This will ensure that every movable part in your vehicle’s engine is doused in engine oil.

Secondly, do not forget to use diesel fuel additives. The reason is simple. Diesel fuel additives keep the entire diesel fuel injection system clean. Additionally, diesel fuel additives keep the fuel from solidifying when the ambient temperature drops below freezing.

Then there is the tip of using telematics solutions. You see, fleet telematics solutions will help you change the oil of your turbocharged diesel engine on time. Furthermore, you should also ensure that the coolant you are using in your turbocharged diesel engine has OEM-specified properties. Use OBD trackers for fleet so that you can track the parameters of your vehicle’s engine. Additionally, using GPS trackers for fleets makes the life of a commercial vehicle driver/fleet manager easy since it is a form of paperless fleet management.

Having a glass roof on a car used to be a luxury feature but these days, thanks to incessant demand from car buyers, OEMs have started offering panoramic sunroof in their mid-range vehicles. The situation is becoming a norm which is why; it is pretty common for one to see vehicles with panoramic sunroofs on US roads frequently.

The demand for sunroof-equipped vehicles is justified when car buyers prioritize aesthetics. However, as per the professional opinions of car experts, a panoramic sunroof doesn’t add any value to a vehicle. And experts are suggesting car buyers refrain from paying the premium price for panoramic sunroof-equipped cars.

Why?

Well, panoramic sunroofs entail quite a few worrying downsides with them such as the ones mentioned below.

Panoramic sunroofs lets in a lot of heat inside the cabin of the vehicle

A vehicle’s cabin has front and rear windshields and multiple windows on its sides, depending on the type of vehicle. All of these windows act as points of entry for heat, especially during the daytime. Now, panoramic sunroofs are giant windows stuck on top of a vehicle. Hence, it is natural for the panoramic sunroof-equipped vehicle to end up becoming an oven on wheels!

Let us take the example of a hot summer day in Texas and your panoramic sunroof-equipped vehicle. The cabin of a vehicle without a sunroof can easily get up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit on a typical summer day in Texas. On the same day, if your vehicle has a panoramic sunroof, the cabin temperature of the vehicle will easily surpass 140 degrees Fahrenheit! If you are thinking that the tint on the glass panels of your vehicle’s panoramic sunroof would help keep the cabin of your vehicle cool, think again. Additionally, the retractable shade of automobile sunroofs does very little to stop the sun’s heat from entering vehicle cabins.

To keep the cabin cool, the air conditioning system of your vehicle would have to work hard. This, in turn, will result in a vehicle that consumes excess fuel. Sure you can use a car tracking device to track your driving habits so that you can save fuel. But that will not reduce your fuel expenses associated with your car now, would it?

Even after learning all of this, you still feel that you have to buy a car with a panoramic sunroof then after buying it, make a habit of using a connected vehicle device. Use the device to find covered parking spaces in proximity to your workspace or home. In this way, you will be able to keep your car cool even on hot Texan summer days!

Panoramic sunroofs eat up headroom

Modern vehicles are spacious. Take any modern vehicle and you would have a lot of space for cargo and people. However, the headroom of a vehicle with a panoramic sunroof is at least a few inches less than the headroom offered by a vehicle without a sunroof. Why is that? Well, panoramic sunroofs are electromechanical contraptions and electromechanical contraptions do not come with slim profiles. It means less headroom for rear seat occupants!

Panoramic sunroofs are expensive to maintain

Panoramic sunroofs will fail at some point. And to be honest, it is pretty expensive to replace the heavy glass panels, the cloth shade, and even the motors of a panoramic sunroof. In a nutshell, you would end up with a high-maintenance vehicle if it is equipped with a panoramic sunroof. Sound too expensive, right?

Panoramic sunroofs make cars heavy

If you want to ensure that the car you bought is fuel-efficient and sporty, buy a vehicle without a panoramic sunroof. Panoramic sunroofs are heavy and you cannot shed the weight of this electromechanical contraption even if you wanted to. The result is that your vehicle will consume more fuel compared to a similar vehicle that doesn’t have any kind of sunroof. Even after learning all of this, you choose to buy a car with heavy tempered glass panels, an aluminum or steel frame, a shade with heavy-woven fabric cover as well as heavy-duty drainage channels stuck on its roof, start using connected car solutions so that you can at least gauge the real-time fuel consumption of the vehicle.

Panoramic sunroofs are flawed but desirable

Panoramic sunroofs are flawed, no doubt but their aesthetic appeal overcomes their shortcomings. Hence, even if you choose to buy a car with a panoramic sunroof, ensure that you live in an area with a forgiving climate. However, please note that panoramic sunroofs need regular maintenance. This is why, always use an OBD-compliant GPS tracking device. The reason is simple. A connected vehicle management system will help you track issues with your vehicle and its panoramic sunroof. Additionally, GPS trackers will always help you to take your vehicle for its scheduled maintenance every time. Think about it!

Do you drive a semi-truck, manage a fleet of semi-trucks, or run a business that relies daily on an in-house fleet of semi-trucks for package deliveries?

Then it is time for you to start using Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs).

What are ELDs?

We will explore the answer to the above question along with a host of other aspects associated with ELDs such as its benefits and the data types recorded by ELDs.

Here goes.

What’s an ELD?

ELDs or Electronic Logging Devices are devices designed to be installed onboard commercial vehicles like semi-trucks.

What types of data does an ELD record?

ELDs record the following types of data.

• Number of driving hours
• Vehicle location data (real-time GPS data)
• Total miles traveled by a semi-truck
• Average fuel efficiency of the semi-truck
• Average engine speed of the semi-truck (RPM)
• Number of hours the engine has been turned on
• Instances of harsh braking
• Instances of rapid acceleration

Why semi-truck drivers and fleet managers should make ELD usage mandatory?

Telematics solutions like Electronic Logging Devices offer semi-truck drivers as well as fleet managers quite a few benefits such as the ones mentioned below.

Semi-trucks and semi-truck fleets can easily comply with federal norms with ELDs

Semi-truck drivers and semi-truck fleet managers must comply with federal norms. For instance, a semi-truck driver cannot drive a commercial vehicle at a stretch for more than eleven hours. Now tracking the number of hours a driver is putting behind the wheel of a semi-truck is hard when done manually. However, using an affordable fleet tracking system with a real-time fleet tracking feature is quite easy. In short, the challenges of fleet management can be mitigated to some extent using telematics solutions like Electronic Logging Devices.

ELDs streamline daily operations

Running and managing a fleet or semi-trucks alongside running a business is not an easy task. However, the process can be streamlined by implementing ELDs and related paperless fleet management solutions. Electronic Logging Devices work more or less like OBD fleet trackers. Hence, it is natural for ELDs to eradicate the need to maintain paper-based records and the manual accumulation of pertinent fleet-related data.

Semi-truck/semi-truck fleet running costs go down

Running a business is a costly affair. However, running a business with an in-house fleet of semi-trucks is costlier. The reason is simple. Semi-truck preventative maintenance is pretty expensive. As semi-trucks undergo a lot of unintentional abuse, without preventative maintenance, vehicles may break down in the middle of delivery runs. Without connected vehicle solutions such as ELDs and GPS trackers for fleets, fleet managers would have to individually ask drivers if the semi-truck assigned to them has any electromechanical issues and needs servicing. This is a time as well as a resource-consuming task. When a semi-truck is not maintained on time, it would break down often and would need repairs as well as part replacements. Additionally, the semi-truck will not remain an asset but will become a liability.

With the help of ELDs and fleet trackers, the cost of running semi-trucks and semi-truck fleets goes down by a significant margin. Furthermore, fleet drivers and businesses that rely on semi-trucks can get additional benefits like fleet route optimization. Fleet route optimization ensures that not a single drop of fuel is wasted. It means that ELDs and associated vehicle telematics solutions help businesses reduce their fleet running costs by several folds!

Telematics solutions such as ELDs expedite vehicle inspections

Whether you are the owner of a semi-truck or a trucking company, you would have to agree that vehicle inspections are expensive and resource-consuming. Add semi-truck maintenance to the mix and you end up with a vehicle that will not be available at least for a day! When a semi-truck is taken off the roads for inspection or preventative maintenance, it automatically becomes a liability. Downtime for a semi-truck owner or a trucking company is a major issue that cannot be solved using traditional methods of fleet management. However, with the help of fleet telematics solutions, activities like booking inspection sessions, recording pertinent vehicle DTC data, etc. can be automated. And we all know that any automated process is more efficient and fast compared to its manual counterpart. The obvious benefit associated with using ELDs is that semi-truck downtime will be in the past. Intriguing, isn’t it?

Table Of Content

# Fleet management automation solutions should be embraced with open arms

# Hiring and retention of talent should be prioritized

# Building robust delivery networks can help

# Top Fleet management disruptions can be mitigated with fleet tracking technology

Fleet Supply chain disruptions leave businesses from all sectors in ruins, especially in this connected world. Hence, it is natural for businesses to hire dedicated personnel who would be tasked to manage in-house fleets and their accompanying supply chains.

However, when a person is new to the world of supply chain and fleet management, it is natural for them to feel overwhelmed. The life of a fleet manager can become easy by several folds given they follow certain tips. The sections below will shine a light on some of those tips.

Here goes.

Top Fleet management automation solutions should be embraced with open arms

Fleet management solutions benefit the logistics and supply chain sectors in several ways which is why they should be embraced with open arms. For instance, tracking fleet truck maintenance sessions, evaluating gas stations, etc. become seamless when fleet management solutions are implemented in a business by its in-house fleet manager. Additionally, without fleet management solutions, fleet managers cannot keep a close watch on how fleet vehicles are being used by their assigned drivers. This is one of the many mistakes that can be avoided with GPS fleet trackers.

Hiring and retention of talent should be prioritized

A supply chain that has been properly planned would still fail in trying times if talented drivers are not there to man the proverbial battle stations!

One of the primary fleet manager roles and responsibilities is ensuring the right talent is hired at the right time. Additionally, the fleet manager would have to ensure that the talent is retained. Fleet driver retention goes up in businesses that use solutions like fleet tracking devices. An OBD tracker for fleet logs the exact number of hours a driver puts behind the wheel. Additionally, fleet trackers also help managers ensure the vehicles allotted to the most talented drivers do not have any electromechanical issues. In this way, job satisfaction among fleet vehicle drivers will go up and a business will be able to retain talent longer than their rivals.

Building robust delivery networks can help

Supply chains get disrupted whenever they are struck by natural disasters, geopolitical events, or labor unrests. To keep such instances at bay, a fleet manager should use a GPS fleet management system and use modern features like load planning. Additionally, if a business chooses to buy used fleet vehicles instead of new fleet vehicles, the accompanying delivery network is bound to crumble due to issues with a used fleet vehicle’s engine. To keep the delivery network up and running even when fleet vehicles are breaking down mid-delivery, fleet managers need to start using connected vehicle solutions pronto!

Fleet management disruptions can be mitigated with fleet tracking technology

Disruptions in the supply chain are an inevitable part of running a business in this connected world. However, the issue can be addressed when real-time fleet tracking solutions are adopted and readily implemented by businesses. Solutions like GPS trackers for fleets offer additional benefits to businesses and fleet managers such as reduction of overhead costs and increasing driver as well as vehicle safety. To sum it all up, if a business doesn’t adopt connected vehicle solutions in this connected age then it will not remain relevant in the long run. It is that simple!

Table of Content

# Dual Rear Tires for Trucks

# Super Single Rear Tires for Trucks

# Dual and single truck tires both need preventative maintenance

Semi-trucks – the lifeline of the United States. This is not just a statement, but a fact.

Let’s talk figures – run a simple search on the internet and you will know that there are close to 3 million semi-trucks registered here in the US.

Additionally, another online search will reveal the fact that nearly seventy percent of freight here in the States is transported using semi-trucks. It means that on average, each semi-truck here in the US travels close to 800 miles each day!

When a vehicle covers so many miles each day all the while hauling heavy loads, it is natural for such vehicles to require maintenance.

Now, maintaining a used fleet vehicle such as a semi-truck is a costly affair. Every part that goes into a semi-truck is expensive since they are subjected to strict quality control processes.

Maintaining state-of-the-art quality control measures is not at all cost-efficient for spare part makers. This is why; semi-truck parts often cost the moon. With that stated and out of the way, the most expensive part of a semi-truck that often needs replacement is the tires. The rear load-bearing tires of semi-trucks, wear out frequently. Hence, rear tire replacements become part and parcel of owning as well as running a semi-truck.

Truck tires are extremely robust. However, they do break down and when they do, repair or replacements entail hefty bills. On top of this, tire problems can render a semi-truck hauling a loaded trailer, immobile. This leads to delays and failed deadlines.

Thankfully, truckers and semi-truck fleet owners can rest easy since they have a lot of tire options to choose from. However, the available truck tire categories, especially for the rear tires of a truck, are limited to super single tires and traditional dual tires.

The trucking industry benefits from both dual and super single rear semi truck tires. Each tire type comes with its fair share of advantages and disadvantages, depending on the application.

The sections below will highlight how semi trucks can benefit from each type of tire. At the same time, we will also highlight the negative sides of each type of tire, to strike a balance.

Let’s begin.

Dual Rear Tires for Trucks

The primary application of dual rear-wheel tires is in semi-trucks with multiple rear axles. Dual rear tires for trucks have the following advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

Even with the best GPS fleet management system, a fleet manager won’t be able to keep a fleet of semi trucks efficient. The reason is simple. Non-steering rear axles of semi trucks typically bear the load of cargo. Whether one is using old-generation used fleet vehicles or brand new semi trucks, load planning is part of fleet management. Even with the best load plan, if the load-bearing axles are not running dual tires, the axle will not run in a stable manner. Dual rear wheel truck tires are capable of bearing more loads compared to super single rear tires.

A flat super single tire will make a semi truck immobile since there isn’t another tire to compensate for the punctured one. One of the roles and responsibilities of a fleet manager is to use real-time fleet tracking in a bid to ensure that their fleet drivers can maintain better control of the delivery vehicles. Real-time fleet tracking solutions help one alter delivery routes on the fly if the previously set delivery route is inaccessible for some reason. Additionally, one would also need to ensure that every semi truck is equipped with dual rear tires as this would allow a driver to at least limp the vehicle to the nearest service center.

Disadvantages

Dual rear truck tires need more maintenance. Additionally, one underinflated tire on a dual tire setup will cause uneven tread wear on the other tire. Furthermore, the inner tire on a dual-tire setup is hard to measure while in transit. For the best results, one should rely on a GPS tracker for fleet and track when their truck tires are inflated.

Super Single Rear Tires for Trucks

Super single rear tires for trucks are slowly but surely becoming popular among truckers and semi-truck fleet owners.

The advantages and disadvantages of this tire type are as follows.

Advantages

Using single tires for the rear wheels of trucks is one of the smart ways to tackle the challenges of fleet management since super single tires make a truck more efficient. Additionally, to sustain and promote green fleet management effectively, using super single rear truck tires is a good idea. One can also increase the fuel efficiency of semi trucks using solutions like a GPS tracker for fleet.

Dual rear tires on a semi-truck often have uneven pressure since the inner rear tire in a dual tire setup is inaccessible from the outside. This issue is absent in semi trucks with rear tires wrapped in super single tires.

The contact area of a super single rear truck tire is more than a dual rear truck tire setup. It means that the traction offered by a super single tire is more compared to dual tire setups in semi-trucks. Hence, super single rear tire equipped semi trucks seldom lose traction while treading over slush or drenched roads.

Additionally, super single tire-wrapped rear wheels of a semi-truck are lighter compared to dual tire-wrapped wheels. Light wheels equals more fuel efficiency and with the help of a fleet tracking device, one can identify the shortest routes. In this way, a fleet becomes more fuel-efficient and productive.

Disadvantages

Even the best GPS fleet tracking devices cannot help a semi-truck with super single rear tires remain mobile with a flat tire. Super single rear truck tires are pretty expensive to maintain and buy! A flat super single rear truck tire can alter the load the semi-truck is carrying while in transit. This means that a flat super single rear tire can cause an accident!

Dual and single truck tires both need preventative maintenance

Semi-trucks tend to cover thousands of miles every year. As a responsible fleet manager, you must ensure that every electrical and mechanical part of the semi-truck fleet is in its prime operational condition. However, do not neglect the tires of the trucks. They need preventative maintenance as well.

Both dual and super single tires benefit the logistics and supply chain sectors in their unique ways. Hence, both dual and super single tires should be maintained properly. Ask the resident mechanics to look for cracks and bulging in the tires of all semi-trucks. Replace all damaged tires before they become the reason for an accident. Not maintaining truck tires is a mistake you can avoid with GPS fleet trackers. You can ensure that tires are rotated or replaced after a truck covers a certain mileage. Additionally, use GPS fleet trackers to track fuel efficiency, evaluate gas stations, and track maintenance schedules. All of these parameters are essential when one wants to manage a fleet efficiently.

Table Of Content

# Seal up all openings in your vehicle

# Inspect the vehicle

# Keep the tires and the spare tire inflated to OEM specifications

# Park the vehicle in a covered parking space

# Don’t forget to protect the windshield of the vehicle

# Ensure that the vehicle battery is in its prime condition

# Avoid driving through low-lying roads

# Don’t forget to keep your vehicle’s insurance up-to-date

It is impossible for one to accurately predict when a hurricane, torrential rain, or flash floods will hit. However one can always prepare their personal or commercial vehicle so that it doesn’t sustain damages. All one would have to do is follow the tips mentioned below.

Seal up all openings in your vehicle

A vehicle has a lot of openings and crevices that are sealed using weather-proof rubber seals. Over time, these seals break down and their ability to keep the elements from entering the vehicle diminishes.

For the best results, use GPS tracking devices to track maintenance intervals. In this way, your preferred car tracking device will let you ensure that you never miss a maintenance appointment. When your vehicle is at the service center, ask the experts to inspect the weather seals of your vehicle. Additionally, ensure that the brittle weather seals are replaced with new ones. In this way, even while driving in torrential rain, water will not enter your vehicle.

Inspect the vehicle

You can use GPS tracking devices to track maintenance intervals. Additionally, the vehicle tracking devices can also be used as follows.

You can use the diagnostic trouble codes generated by your preferred tracking device to track the many electromechanical systems of your vehicle. For instance, you can learn whether all the cylinders in your vehicle’s engine are firing or not.

Keep detailed notes and if possible take pictures before the severe weather event hits your location. In this way, you can file for insurance claims if your vehicle gets damaged, without facing any issues.

Keep the tires and the spare tire inflated to OEM specifications

Keep the tires and the spare tire of your vehicle inflated as per the OEM specifications. It is not only one of the best ways to drive safely during the fall season but also in all weather conditions. Additionally, you can use a vehicle tracker to track the overall fuel consumption of your vehicle. You would witness that your vehicle is consuming less fuel thanks to properly inflated tires. Additionally, properly inflated tires would ensure that your vehicle will have enhanced traction whether it’s driving through slushy or drenched roads.

Park the vehicle in a covered parking space

You can drive safely during the fall season by using a GPS tracking device for your car in a bid to track the safest routes. Additionally, you can also use a tracking device to identify the nearest covered and elevated parking spaces. A covered parking space can keep your vehicle safe from hailstorms. Hailstorms wreak havoc on all metallic surfaces of a vehicle. Additionally, hailstorms can also break windshields as well as headlights and tail lights. If you do not want your vehicle to sustain such damages then park it in a covered parking space before severe weather events strike your location.

Don’t forget to protect the windshield of the vehicle

The winter season is pretty hazardous for vehicle owners. However, you can stay safe on the road during festive seasons by ensuring the route mapping feature of your preferred fleet tracking device is turned on. Additionally, ensure that the front windshield of your vehicle is free from scratches. You can keep scratches from your vehicle’s front windshield by placing the floor mats of your car on them. In this way, you would not have to scrape snow from the glass surface. And when you do not scrape snow from the glass surface, it will not get scratched. A scratched glass surface would frost up quickly and would make it hazardous for you to drive the vehicle.

Ensure that the vehicle battery is in its prime condition

You have mastered the 4-second driving rule and have made sure that your business vehicle is equipped with the best OBD tracker for fleet.

However, you forgot to keep the battery of your vehicle in its prime operational condition. Every electrical and mechanical system of a modern vehicle relies on its onboard battery. Hence, you need to ensure the overall health of your vehicle’s battery is in its prime health. Fail to ensure this and you may not be able to start the vehicle again if it stalls in the middle of a blizzard!

Scary, right!?

Avoid driving through low-lying roads

The global climate is changing. Hence, it will not be a surprise if you witness that the elements festive season. Even in the middle of a severe weather event, you can are against you in the middle of a stay safe on the road during festive seasons if you have mastered proper braking habits.

And to do that, you have to ensure that your vehicle’s braking system is in its prime operational condition. All you have to do is track vehicle maintenance schedules using the best GPS tracking devices.

Additionally, ensure that you are actively avoiding driving on roads passing through low-lying areas during the rainy season. The reason is simple. These roads will be the first to get flooded during flash flood events. And flash floods can wash your vehicle away with you in it!

It is as simple as that.

Don’t forget to keep your vehicle’s insurance up-to-date

Apart from following the tips mentioned above, ensure that your vehicle’s insurance policy is up-to-date. You need to ensure this especially before the bad weather days hit your location. In this way, your vehicle will be covered if it gets damaged due to a severe weather event. Additionally, don’t forget to take the vehicle to the service center even if it is running properly. This will ensure the eradication of underlying issues with the vehicle and render it safe for driving in all seasons.

The brake pads of modern vehicles have long operational lives. However, they do wear out at a certain mileage. Additionally, the operational life of brake pads can also reduce depending on driver actions.

With that stated, let's dive right into the topic where we will share a few ways one can use to increase the life of their car’s brake pads.

Slow and steady wins the race

One of the best ways to drive safely during the fall season or in any other season for that matter is to drive slowly, safely, and steadily.

For instance, you can always ensure that you are driving your vehicle in the 60 to 90 miles per hour range, whether it’s the city or Route 66!

If you are having a hard time keeping track of your overall driving habits then you can install a car tracking device.

But why drive slowly?

Well, driving at controllable speeds ensures that the brake pads in your car don’t get subjected to extreme levels of friction and friction-generated heat.

The outcome is that the brake pads won't wear down rapidly and you won’t have to change them periodically.

Engine braking…..anyone!?

Whether you are driving your car downhill, hauling an empty trailer, or driving a semi-truck laden with an oversized load, use engine braking.

Engine braking can be engaged in both manual transmission and automatic transmission vehicles. However, in automatic transmission cars, one would have to engage the manual mode. When engine braking is used in tandem with the braking system of a vehicle, the latter is subjected to less stress. And when a mechanical system is subjected to less stress, it will need fewer replacements and repairs.

One can also make sure that their private or commercial vehicle is equipped with the latest vehicle tracking devices.

Why?

Well, you can use GPS tracking devices to track maintenance intervals and at the same time, choose routes with fewer climbs and descends.

Maintaining the braking system is essential

Use the vehicle service reminders your preferred vehicle tracker installed in your car generates to avoid missing maintenance appointments.

And when your vehicle is in the service center, ask the technician to clean the brake pads, the brake rotors and check the brake lines. Properly maintaining the braking system of your vehicle ensures that you won’t have to press hard on the brake pedal. This will ensure that the brake lines, the rotors, and the brake pads are not subjected to extreme stress.

On top of this, you can always practice safe and efficient braking habits like cadence braking. Cadence braking not only prolongs the life of brake pads but also can help you stay safe on the road during festive seasons.

Heavy unwanted stuff should be out of the car!

Use the data from your preferred GPS tracking device for car and track how much fuel your vehicle is consuming. If you see that your vehicle is consuming a lot of fuel, chances are high that your vehicle has a lot of unwanted loads inside its passenger cabin. Additional weight increases the overall weight of the vehicle. And a heavy vehicle will need more braking force to stop every time.

You can also reduce the number of times you brake harshly. One of the best ways to reduce instances of harsh braking is to master the 4-second driving rule. The 4-second driving rule is a great way to learn proper braking discipline and always maintain a safe distance from other motorists.

There’s another way to increase the life of brake pads

You can also extend the operational life of your vehicle’s brake pad. And that is by developing the habit of defensive driving. Defensive driving is simply keeping your eyes peeled for people making stupid mistakes on the road. For instance, if you have mastered defensive driving, you will be able to anticipate when that erratic driver in front of your car will change lanes without turning on the blinker of their car.

Defensive driving will help you exert less stress on your vehicle’s brakes. Additionally, the brake pads will also last for a long time.

With that stated, in case you want the brake pads on your delivery vehicles to last for a long time, there’s another way. You can rely on the vehicle service reminders generated by a fleet tracking device.

On top of this, an OBD tracker for fleet would also allow you to keep a clear record of when you changed the brake pads. In case you witness that the brake pads are not lasting as long as they should then you can look for underlying issues. All you have to do is use the vehicle health monitoring feature of fleet trackers

Neat, isn’t it!?

The internet is filled with countless articles, blogs, and videos that highlight how ‘green’ EVs are.

But are electric vehicles really ‘green’?

Not exactly!

Read on to learn more.

The mass production of EVs and their battery packs is….a dirty business

One can adopt paperless fleet management by using the best fleet management software.

One can also integrate GPS fleet tracking devices in every delivery vehicle. Additionally, they can use a vehicle tracking system to arrest their company’s overall carbon footprint. One can also instruct their fleet manager to arrange for the replacement of ICE-powered delivery vehicles with e-delivery vehicles.

However, they would still end up paying tons of money to the authorities as a ‘carbon tax’.

Why?

Well, the mass production of electric vehicles and their battery packs is a dirty business.

All the metals and raw materials that go into making EV battery packs such as lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), graphite, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium manganese oxide (LMO), and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) are individuals mined from separate mines.

All those mining operations and the transportation to respective processing plants and then transporting the lithium cells to EV battery pack manufacturing plants – add all of this and you are looking at huge amounts of carbon emissions.

Regular operation of an EV contributes to greenhouse emissions

Whether your business is using new or used fleet vehicles, it is best to remember that the daily operation of electric fleet vehicles is not exactly ‘emissions-free’ per se!

One can use the best GPS tracker for fleet to optimize delivery routes on the fly to increase the mileage of an electric vehicle. However, even the best fleet tracking device won’t let a fleet manager reduce the carbon footprint of a company.

Why?

Well, an OBD tracker for fleet can help an electric delivery vehicle cover more miles per charge. In this way, the carbon footprint of the vehicle is reduced. However, when the same vehicle is being charged using the electricity from the city’s power supply, it again contributes to its carbon footprint.

How is that?

Well, the world (including the US) still produces the majority of its electricity from fossil fuels like coal. And we all know that coal is way worse than gasoline, in terms of carbon emitted per gram of fuel burnt!

Decommissioning an EV is a dirty business as well!

Sure, replacing ICE-powered delivery vehicles in your company’s in-house fleet with electric delivery vehicles is one of the smart ways of fleet management.

Additionally, one can also use the leading real time fleet tracking solution in a bid to increase the overall efficiency of their electric fleet of delivery vehicles.

However, even the best fleet management solution cannot help one shy away from the following fact.

When the time comes to decommission an EV, one would have to be ready to pay the extra cost of recycling an EV. Recycling an EV emits more carbon dioxide compared to the decommissioning process of an internal combustion vehicle.

The primary reason is simple.

People are yet to come up with the infrastructure needed to completely contain the carbon emitted during the decommissioning of an electric vehicle.

Experts suggest that for the time being, businesses can use the GPS fleet management system to make their in-house fleet of ICE-powered delivery vehicles efficient.

Additionally, one can take the step of making their in-house delivery vehicle fleet hybrid consisting of both electric as well as ICE-powered delivery vehicles.

Compared to ICE vehicles, EVs are still the better choice

Compared to Internal Combustion Engine-powered cars, EVs are still the better choice.

Here’s the enunciation.

Compared to ICE-powered delivery vehicles, electric delivery vehicles benefit the logistics and supply sectors.

How?

Well, operating and maintaining electric delivery vehicles are way cheaper than ICE-powered delivery vehicles. Additionally, the money saved from maintaining an electric fleet of delivery vehicles can be used by a business to offer additional benefits to its employees.

On top of that, a business can use the leftover monetary resources to enhance its internal infrastructure in a bid to remain relevant and competitive.

Additionally, during regular use, the overall carbon footprint of an electric vehicle is considerably smaller than an ICE-powered vehicle.

In short, compared to ICE vehicles, EVs are still the better choice, at least for businesses!

All businesses have some form of online presence these days. At the same time, businesses with an online presence would definitely have an e-store associated with their official website.

Why?

To ensure that customers get their products delivered to their doorsteps in no time.

However, in order to ensure quick delivery of goods, a business would need a third-party delivery service. If this is not feasible then the business in question would need to maintain an in-house fleet of delivery vehicles.

Whichever delivery system a company chooses to use in their daily operations, fleet management will become an integral part of the business. Additionally, the fleet manager assigned to manage the delivery side of the business would need to prioritize load planning.

So what exactly is load planning?

The strategic process of cargo organization within a commercial vehicle in a bid to maximize space utilization is known as load planning. Load planning also allows a business to reduce the cost associated with maintaining an in-house fleet. Additionally, load planning also allows fleet managers to ensure timely and safe delivery of goods.

In a nutshell, when load planning is prioritized by fleet managers, a business becomes economically efficient and sustainable.

What are the primary strategies utilized for efficient load planning?

Fleet managers follow certain strategies to ensure efficiency in load planning and they look like the following.

By leveraging technology

Visionary fleet managers would first make sure that paperless fleet management is part and parcel of the company they are associated with.

Leveraging fleet management solutions should be the primary goal of an ideal fleet manager since it is one of the smart ways of fleet management. Additionally, one should also remember that fleet management solutions benefit the logistics and supply chain sectors.

For instance, the real-time location data of fleet vehicles can help a fleet manager minimize annual fuel costs.

How?

Well, let’s suppose a delivery point is 5 miles away from the distribution hub. The fleet manager has the real-time location data of two delivery vehicles that are in proximity to the delivery point.

However, one of the two fleet vehicles is 2 miles closer to the delivery point compared to the distance between the delivery point and the other delivery vehicle. The fleet manager can assign the delivery job to the fleet vehicle that is closest to the delivery point.

In this way, the delivery vehicle will consume less fuel to complete the job. As a result, the costs associated with operating the vehicle go down by a significant margin. Additionally, if the fleet manager is also tasked to reduce the carbon footprint of the company they are associated with, the above scenario also results in achieving the above objective.

It’s a win-win situation for all.

By training fleet drivers

Fleet managers can ascertain which fleet drivers have time to spare after their shift is over by referring to data projected by the GPS fleet management system.

The goal is to make sure that fleet vehicle drivers are trained in the latest stacking norms, weight distribution checklist and sensitive cargo handling practices.

In this way, load planning as well as subsequent fleet management practices can help a company minimize cargo damages and transit-related risks.

By optimizing delivery routes

Utilizing GPS fleet tracking devices, fleet managers can optimize delivery routes.

Why does route optimization matter?

Route optimization ensures deadlines are met at all times. Additionally, using the data from GPS fleet tracking devices, fleet managers can select a route based on the cargo a fleet vehicle is supposed to deliver. For instance, if the cargo is liquid and if spilled can lead to lawsuits for the business in question, a fleet manager can select a route that has minimal turns and undulations.

Additionally, if the fleet consists of used fleet vehicles with questionable structural integrity, fleet management software can help one plan load as per the capabilities of the delivery vehicle. In this way, accidents can be averted and a fleet manager can revamp the employee safety regulations followed within the business.

Load planning does have some challenges associated with it

Just like fleet management, load planning also entails its fair share of challenges. They are as follows.

Packaging and goods will never be similar

Every product comes with unique packaging and unique dimensions. Hence, even when the best fleet management solution is being used to plan loads, one cannot guarantee full utilization of available space within a fleet vehicle.

Hence, fleet managers would need to ensure that the real-time fleet tracking solution they are using is scalable.

Why does scalability matter?

Well, connected vehicle solutions like a vehicle tracking system designed for fleets allow a business to ensure the safe delivery of goods. Additionally, if the business in question sells fragile goods like consumer electronics or perishable goods like temperature-sensitive food items then investing in an OBD tracker for fleet and associated fleet management software is a good idea.

The outcome will be that fleet managers and the company they are associated with will have tailored solutions suitable for efficient load planning.

Deteriorating road conditions

All over the US, roads are deteriorating fast. Roads either need immediate repairs or a complete overhaul. Even with the best GPS tracker for fleet and accompanying fleet management solutions, it is pretty hard for a fleet manager to plan loads for fleet vehicles that won’t damage the vehicle or the goods.

For the best results, businesses should invest in fleet tracking devices that are robust, adaptable, and offer lots of scalability to the end users.

Load planning is yet to become the norm in fleet management

The logistics sector of the US is one of the most sophisticated in the world. However, the sector is yet to make load planning an industry standard. Sure there is some low-level load planning in revered shipping companies. However, the small and medium-scale business sector is yet to make fleet management a norm. This needs to change as soon as possible if businesses in the US want to stay ahead of local, national, and international competitors.

The Nissan Z has always been a popular car among enthusiasts around the world. Those who cannot get their hands on a Nissan GT-R R34 would put their automotive urges to rest with a Nissan Z.

The 2024 Nissan Z is the direct successor of the 370 Z – which was often described by car enthusiasts as a sports coupe with a soul. The Z line of cars from Nissan entailed many unique selling points. However, the ones that stood out were their affordability and fun-to-drive demeanor.

The latest iteration of the Z has several bits and pieces that can make anyone who owned a 240Z or a 300 ZX back in the day, nostalgic. For instance, the quarter panel of the new Z boasts an insignia – a nod to the 240Z. Additionally, the dramatic LED taillights boast the overall aesthetics of the 300ZX from the 90s. In a nutshell, the new Z at a glance, states that she’s a fun-to-drive and own car!

The Nissan Z 2024 has a lot to offer especially in terms of overall packaging. We will get into that in the sections below.

What’s the price range for this car?

The 2024 iteration of the Nissan Z starts from a sticker price of $44,110. The top-spec and fully decked-out Z could come with a sticker price of $66,890.

Which trim should you buy?

The Z is available in three trims: performance, proto, and sport. All three trims are available with manual and automatic transmissions. Additionally, one can also get their hands on a NISMO Z but this trim is available with an automatic transmission only. The Z performance trim offers the best value for money. The reasons are as follows.

• Sportier suspension.
• Limited-slip differential.
• Upgraded brakes.
• 19-inch stylish alloy wheels wrapped with summer tires.
• Power-adjustable seats wrapped with faux-suede upholstery.

The engine

Much like the legendary Nissan GT-R, the new Z is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6. However, the power output of the Z’s engine is 400 HP due to the 3.0-liter engine. The torque output of the Z is 350 pound-feet.

If you feel that 400 HP is not enough for you then you can always buy the NISMO Z. This beastly trim of the Z is known for its 420 buff horses and 384 pound-feet of torque! Additional specification-related details can be obtained by installing an OBD GPS tracker, if you are into that kind of stuff!

The transmission

The new Nissan Z can be bought with a six-speed performance-oriented manual transmission. However, if you are not comfortable with operating a third pedal then you can buy the Z with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Additional goodies

Unlike its predecessors, the new Nissan Z comes with the following.

• An LSD (limited-slip differential).
• Bigger wheels.
• High performance brakes.
• A stiff suspension tune.
• Retro-modern bodywork.

The overall performance

As per OBD data accumulated from the latest generation of car tracking devices, the overall performance of the new Z is astonishing!

Let’s start with how the car is designed. Just like its predecessors, the new Z boasts an aerodynamic design. Since every car benefits from aerodynamics, it is no surprise that the new Z’s aerodynamic tail end lets the car benefit from a low drag coefficient.

Additionally, thanks to the car’s turbo six-cylinder engine and RWD layout with the manual transmission, the car surpasses 60 mph in mere 4.5 seconds! However, the automatic transmission Nissan Z surpasses the 60 mph mark in 4.3 seconds.

The overall cornering performance of the new Z is impressive given you are not pushing the car too hard. If you do push the car hard, the stiff suspension tune reveals that it is not quite up to the task. The stock suspension tuning is perfect for daily commutes. However, the OEM suspensions and the tuning are not suitable for track days, to be honest.

Overall fuel economy in terms of MPGs

The new Z’s real-world mileage is rated by the EPA to be at 19 mpg on the city roads and 28 mpg on the highways.

Sure you can get more miles per gallon of fuel from your Nissan Z by using a car tracker in a bid to evaluate gas stations that sell 93 octane gasoline. You can also increase the overall fuel efficiency of your Nissan Z by using vehicle tracking devices in a bid to limit your Z’s engine idling time.

Interiors, overall comfort, and available cargo space

The latest iteration of the Nissan Z looks much different on the inside compared to its predecessors.

However, certain things remain the same. For instance, Nissan did not change the overall layout of the new Z. The car remains a true sport coupe. There are no vestigial rear seats like the ones you can find at the rear of a Porsche 911!

The rest is all new inside the new Z. One will be pleased to know that the new Z has a contemporary cabin. One would not have to splurge on must-have car accessories when they buy the new Z. The reason is simple. The new Z comes with –

• Leather upholstery.
• Power-adjustable seats.
• Dual-zone automatic climate control and more.

The cargo space is adequate to be blunt. One can fit not more than three carry-on suitcases in the trunk of the new Z – which is more than adequate for a sports coupe. Don’t you think?

The car is loaded in terms of infotainment and overall connectivity

The new Z is fully decked out. Let’s enunciate the previous statement.

The new Nissan Z comes equipped with an 8.0-inch infotainment system with SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto features. The stock speaker setup in the Nissan Z is six stereo speakers. You can also upgrade to a Bose premium speaker setup and equip their Z with an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot feature as well! Also, you can even get a 9.0-inch unit with navigation capability as an option. The driver information display unit has a 12.3-inch screen.

What about driver and passenger safety?

The new Z has a handful of driver and passenger safety features. For instance, Nissan equipped the new Z with automated emergency braking as well as pedestrian detection features. Additionally, the car also comes with blind-spot monitoring as well as the following.

• Standard lane-departure warning and
• Standard adaptive cruise control.

However, even with all the above passive and active safety features, if you do not follow the 4-second rule, or equip the Z with a car tracking device that can track driver behavior, you are bound to risk your life and the lives of others. So, follow the 4-second rule, and don’t forget to attach the latest car tracker to the OBD-2 port of your Nissan Z to keep it, yourself, and others on the road safe.

The 2024 Nissan Z is a complete package available at an affordable price

The new Nissan Z has a lot of power, is packed with modern features, and looks gorgeous. Additionally, the six-speed manual transmission available in all the trims, except the NISMO version, is a matter of rejoicing for purists. Additionally, the car has a reasonable sticker price range.

After bringing your Z to your driveway, invest in one of the best vehicle tracking devices. A modern-day OBD GPS tracker can offer a plethora of relevant features to car owners. For instance, GPS trackers protect cars from theft and unauthorized towing. You can also track the gas stations near your home to on your work route that sell 93-octane gasoline so that your Nissan Z can always put a smile on your face whenever you floor the gas pedal!

With that stated, make sure that your Nissan Z’s engine oil is changed on time. The reason is simple. The benefits of changing the engine oil of your car on time are many. For instance, the engine will remain healthy for a long time. The powertrain will not suffer premature wear and tear when pushed to the limits. In simple words, do take care of your Nissan Z and she will keep on making you smile, for miles!

Take the example of any modern day business, you’d find that it has an in-house fleet of commercial vehicles. However, even in this age of the internet, quite a significant number of businesses are yet to adopt paperless fleet management solutions.

Paperless fleet management solutions entail a lot of advantages for businesses such as fleet route optimization. Additional reasons why logistics companies should go paperless are mentioned below.

A drastic drop in errors is guaranteed

Paper-based fleet management is inefficient since manual production, editing and sharing of official documents is bound to be riddled with errors. Since minimizing or complete eradication of errors in official documents is one of the smart ways to tackle the challenges of fleet management, it makes sense to take the necessary steps.

One of the best ways to minimize errors in managing a fleet is to start using GPS fleet tracking solutions, in a bid to automate processes such as filling up of vehicle inspection forms.

Data accumulation will be accurate

Data – the modern day currency.

The value of data is immense. Lose it and your company will be facing lawsuits from disgruntled customers and stakeholders. Use it and your business will touch new heights of success in no time.

However, manual accumulation, storage and crunching of data in this age of the internet is a fool’s errand. If you are serious about keeping your business ahead of your rivals, implement the fleet management software in your business as soon as possible.

Modern fleet management solutions work in tandem with advanced vehicle tracking systems. Together these solutions can ensure businesses can wiggle out of fleet management complexities easily.

For instance, if a business chose to buy used fleet vehicles, fleet management solutions can ensure that managers can keep track of the vehicles that may or may not break down mid deliveries.

In a nutshell, GPS fleet trackers benefit the logistics and supply chain in multiple ways. Hence, implementing such a solution in your business will not be a bad idea.

Fleet management will be seamless

Paper-based fleet management is tedious. Any tedious process in a business environment will automatically bring down the overall productivity of the company. For instance, manual scheduling and routing of fleet vehicles as well as drivers will naturally take a lot of time. On the flip side automating fleet management procedures such as scheduling appointments, dispatching orders or communicating with fleet drivers in real time is seamless in a paperless environment.

Taking note of benefits like the ones mentioned above, non-profit firms use fleet GPS trackers to tackle challenges. Additionally, logistics companies can control the chaos of holidays and avoid fleet management mistakes in a bid to remain efficient.

Paperless fleet management is more secure

One of the best practices to improve fleet management is to equip fleet vehicles with OBD trackers for fleet and accompanying paperless fleet management solution.

Why?

Well, moving away from paper-based fleet management is a step towards making a business more secure.

How?

Paper documents can be easily manipulated, destroyed or lost. Since keeping the interests of a business safe is one of the roles & responsibilities of a fleet manager, moving towards paperless fleet management seems like a good idea, doesn’t it?

Digital business documents can be encrypted. Additionally, digital documents can be kept safe from prying eyes by limiting access to them. In this way, you can keep track of when a document is copied, printed or shared.

Furthermore, making redundant copies of digital documents is way easier and quicker than making physical copies of business documents.

Paperless fleet management is the need of the hour

Paperless fleet management solutions help businesses benefit from geozones.

How can you improve your fleet business with geofencing?

Well, you can set geozones around your fleet vehicles to keep them from getting stolen or repossessed. Geozones can also help you keep your vehicles and drivers away from the turfs of your competitors. Additionally, modern GPS fleet management system offer impressive features like real-time vehicle location tracking. Keeping tabs on your fleet vehicles and drivers ensures discipline is maintained across the fleet. Additionally, you would ensure that your fleet vehicles are used only for official purposes.

If this was not convincing enough then remember that fleet management solutions also let managers reduce fuel wastage by tracking vehicle idling time. Additionally, minimizing fuel wastage also lets a business reduce its carbon footprint in the process. Food for thought?

Autonomous cars, as an idea, had its humble beginnings back in the 1990s. Additionally, back in 1925, Francis Houdina, a New York-based electrical engineer was the first person to materialize the concept of an autonomous vehicle. However, Houdina’s concept vehicle was remotely controlled.

In the past few decades, the overall popularity of autonomous vehicle technology has touched new heights. However, autonomous vehicles are yet to become the norm for the masses.

Why?

Well, there are several challenges associated with autonomous vehicle technology. The sections below will highlight some of those issues.

Before that, let’s first learn what exactly autonomous car technology is.

So what exactly is autonomous car technology?

Autonomous car technology allows a modern-day vehicle to drive itself without any human input.

Autonomous vehicle technology is also known as driverless, robotic, and self-driving car technology. Autonomous cars rely on an array of technologies such as LIDAR, RaDAR, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, GPS, inertial sensors, etc. The goal of developing autonomous vehicle technology was to make roads safer, reduce gridlocks, and make transportation efficient.

What are the problems with autonomous car technology?

Even after decades of development, research, and investments worth billions of dollars, autonomous vehicles are still frowned upon by many.

Why?

Autonomous car technology is riddled with hard-to-ignore problems and some of them are mentioned in the sections below.

Autonomous vehicle sensor reliability and accuracy are still an issue

Self-driving cars rely on a bunch of sensors.

However, even after decades, the sensors and the software bundles that decode the raw data into usable data are still unreliable. One of the best examples of autonomous technology failing can be often seen on the news.

For instance, Tesla recalled nearly all of its vehicles due to instances of autopilot failures back in Dec 2023. Cruise self-driving cars fail to recognize children on the roads. As per several online news articles published back in 2023, driverless Cruise cars were unable to detect large holes on the road. Additionally, the software bundles inside Cruise driverless cars are also unable to distinguish children in certain situations. It means that driverless cars are at risk of either driving into holes or hitting children!

Until sensors equipped on driverless cars and the software bundles running in the background are made glitch-free, autonomous car technology is not going anywhere.

Autonomous vehicles will demand a brand-new set of traffic laws

The rules that apply to self-driving cars are entirely different than those applicable to normal cars.

For instance, in California, a self-driving car might receive parking citations. However, the state authorities seem to turn a blind eye when a driverless car violates the rules of the road.

To make self-driving cars the norm, governments around the world would need to come up with new sets of traffic laws. Additionally, existing rules and regulations would also need to be revised. This will ensure that people who were somehow negatively affected by self-driving cars will be compensated. These steps are yet to be taken and until that happen, people will avoid autonomous cars.

That’s the reality.

Automotive OEMs need to collaborate to make the technology a success

Autonomous car technology companies are trying their best to keep their respective technologies protected. This is one of the main reasons why development in the sector has been so slow. To develop the technology by leaps and bounds, OEMs would need to join forces with third-party or dedicated suppliers. Autonomous vehicle technology companies and infrastructure providers need to work together in a bid to formulate effective solutions for pertinent challenges. This is the only way to ensure that the technology at least becomes accessible to all in the future.

Autonomous vehicles should be able to collect huge amounts of data

To make self-driving cars the norm, both the vehicles and the infrastructures that would support them should be able to collect huge amounts of pertinent data.

What kind of data collection are we talking about here?

Well, to make people trust autonomous vehicles, the latter need to perform as they should. And to function properly, autonomous vehicles need troves of data from surroundings, and the people riding the vehicles.

Additionally, autonomous vehicle technology companies would need to develop systems that could support the collection, processing, analysis, and storage of data their vehicles collect. This is pretty challenging to implement and at the same time, extremely expensive.

Hence, slow progress in this aspect is a natural outcome.

There are quite a few cyber security risks associated with autonomous vehicles

Data is the new currency of the connected world we live in.

If an ill-doer has access to your financial or personal data, financial ruin and damaged reputation are natural outcomes. Think what would happen if a group of ill-doers gains access to the data self-driving cars are streaming continuously over the air.

If autonomous car technology is the future, next-level cyber security measures have to be developed and implemented. Data security regulations have to be formulated and implemented in the legal systems around the world.

Until people are reassured that their data will not be accessible to criminals, large-scale adoption of autonomous vehicles is merely wishful thinking, to be honest.

The future of autonomous car technology is bright but…

Autonomous vehicle technology is still in its nascent stages. Before it can become the norm, the issues mentioned above should be sorted out. The pressing issue with autonomous vehicle technology is data security. Additionally, autonomous vehicle software and sensors need to be made free from issues.

With that stated, if you are one of the early adopters of autonomous vehicles such as a Tesla Model Y, make sure that you equip the vehicle with the best car tracker.

Why?

Car tracker devices have come a long way.

For instance, GPS tracker for vehicles does more than track cars. Tracker device for vehicles are categorized these days as connected vehicle solutions. It means that one can take their vehicle online with a car GPS tracker.

In simple words, one can use the app that came with the connected vehicle solution and track their vehicle’s health. Additionally, one can even set geozones around their vehicle’s parking space to prevent unauthorized towing. A car tracker device can also protect your vehicle from theft.

Think about it.

Do you run a business? Does your business offer doorstep deliveries to its clients? Then one day you might have to decide whether you should buy new or used commercial vehicles.

Why you should even consider buying used fleet vehicles instead of new ones?

Read onto learn the pros of buying a used fleet vehicle.

What does the process of buying used fleet vehicles look like?

The process of buying used fleet vehicles is simple.

The first thing you would have to do is look for a reputed used commercial vehicle dealership. The next logical step is to negotiate with the right people in a bid to get a great price for the vehicle(s).

After that, inspect the vehicle by yourself in a bid to gauge whether it is professionally maintained or not. Experts recommend buying used commercial vehicles with relatively low odometer readings.

With that, the process of buying used fleet vehicles concludes.

Why does it make sense to buy used fleet vehicles?

Buying used fleet vehicles is a sensible decision since they cost low upfront. Insuring a used commercial vehicle is cheaper since the policy premium will be low. A used commercial vehicle does not depreciate in its market value compared to a similar brand-new commercial vehicle.

If you want to keep your driver safe, simply buy a commercial vehicle that is just a couple of years old. In this way, the vehicle will be packed with the latest active and passive safety features. If this was not convincing enough for you then remember the following. Registering a used commercial vehicle costs less compared to registering a new commercial vehicle.

What should you keep in mind while buying used fleet vehicles?

While buying used commercial vehicles, remember to follow these steps in a bid to stay on the safe side of things.

• Make sure that the price you are paying for the vehicles is on par with their actual market value.
• Ensure every single used commercial vehicle you have shortlisted is inspected by technicians you trust.
• Ask the seller to produce detailed service records of each vehicle.
• Ensure that the vehicles have any form of extended warranty applicable to them.
• Run background checks on the VINs of each commercial vehicle. Avoid vehicles that have questionable backgrounds. Additionally, if you notice that the VIN of a used commercial vehicle has any signs of tampering, avoid it right away.
• Last but not least; do not buy a used commercial vehicle without taking it out for a long test drive. A long test drive will reveal the quirks of the used commercial vehicle. In this way, you will have the chance to negotiate the price of the vehicle with the seller.

Why shouldn’t you invest in new fleet vehicles?

Well, avoiding new fleet vehicles is a good idea for the following reasons.

• You would have to shell out a bunch of money to insure the new fleet of commercial vehicles.
• New fleet vehicles will relatively consume more fuel at least for a few first thousand miles.
• New fleet vehicles lose their value as soon as they are driven off the dealership. Hence, spending hefty amounts of money doesn’t make sense.

Is it that bad to buy new commercial vehicles?

Not necessarily.

Buying new commercial vehicles does come with their fair share of cons and the biggest one of them is the hefty upfront cost. However, buying new commercial vehicles has many advantages in store for businesses.

Some of them are mentioned below.

• New fleet vehicles are more reliable compared to used vehicles.
• New fleet vehicles won’t have wear and tear hence no repairs will be needed.
• New vehicles would not need frequent preventative maintenance sessions.
• New commercial vehicles are safer than used old commercial vehicles. The vehicles will be packed with the latest automotive safety technology features.
• New fleet vehicles will be readily compatible with the best vehicle tracking systems. Used commercial vehicles are often a decade (or more) old. Chances are high that their OBD-2 port might be damaged. Hence, a GPS tracker for fleet devices might need to be attached to the used fleet vehicle using a splitter cable. That’s quite a lot of work and all of it could be avoided if you buy new fleet vehicles. However, do not forget the high cost of buying a new fleet vehicle. The high registration costs and the hefty insurance premiums will significantly increase the upfront costs. In the end, just to ensure that the OBD port is in its working condition, buying a new fleet vehicle doesn’t make sense, now does it?

Don’t forget to invest in fleet management technology

So you have finally got your hands on a bunch of fleet vehicles. New or old, that doesn’t matter now anymore. However, it will matter if you do not retrofit each of those fleet vehicles with fleet tracking devices.

Why?

Well, a business generates a lot of data each day – no surprise there. However, in-house fleets also generate additional data that needs to be managed properly. Fail to do that and you might end up with a bunch of broken-down vehicles. You can also end up getting a bunch of angry customer emails due to delayed deliveries. These combined comprise just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Without GPS fleet tracking devices, keeping drivers and vehicles safe will be impossible. Fuel costs will skyrocket due to mismanagement and blatant wastage of fuel. Additionally, instances of fleet vehicles idling will also increase. In a nutshell, invest in the best OBD trackers for fleet and benefit from connected vehicle features like vehicle health monitoring, driver behavior monitoring, and more.

None of the Japanese sports cars rom the 90s were as iconic as the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34. The car belongs to the fifth generation of Nissan’s Skyline range. The car is renowned for its handling, speed, and on-board technology. With that stated, here are a few crazy facts that you didn’t know about the R34 GT-R Nissan Skyline.

#1 - The car’s engine produced more than 330 horsepower from the factory

The Nissan R34 GTR was marketed by Nissan to be 276 horsepower vehicle. However, in reality, the car made around 330 horsepower from its stock engine!

#2 - The car came with all-wheel steering

The Nissan GTR R34 Skyline was a flagship from Nissan at the time of its launch. It meant that the car came with quite a few Unique Selling Points that Nissan was eager to show off. One of those USPs was the Super-HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering) four-wheel steering.

At low speeds, the system moved the rear wheels of the GT-R opposite to the direction of the front wheels. At high speeds, the HICAS system steered the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels in a bid to quicken lane changes and overtakes.

#3 - The car came with two engine options

Nissan GTR Skyline R34 was offered with two engine options. They were the legendary RB26DETT and the RB26DETT engines.

The Nissan Skyline R34 GTR RB26DETT engine specifications are as follows.

It was a 2.6 L engine that came with two ceramic turbos. It was an inline-six engine that had a cast iron block. The cylinder heads were made using aluminum alloy and had a DOHC. Each cylinder had 4 valves. The engine came with six individual throttle bodies. The turbos had individual wastegates to limit their boost to 10 psi.

The Nissan Skyline R34 GTR RB26DETT engine specifications are as follows.

It also had a cast iron engine block with aluminum alloy cylinder heads and a DOHC. Each cylinder had 4 valves and individual throttle bodies. The engine came with a parallel ceramic twin-turbo system and two wastegates. The wastegates ensured that the pressure within each turbocharger never exceeded 10 psi.

The Nissan R34 Skyline GTR RB28DETT lets drivers enjoy almost the entire power at low RPM ranges (7,600RPM). On the other hand, the Nissan R34 Skyline GTR RB26DETT offered almost the entire power at 8,000 RPM.

#4 - Have you heard about the Z Tune GT-R?

After the original production run of the Nissan Skyline GTR R34 ended, Nissan’s motorsports division known as NISMO bought 20 R34s. The outcome of this step by NISMO was the most desirable R34s ever made – the NISMO R34 GT-R Z-Tune!

What’s the difference between the stock R34s and the Z tunes?

The cars boasted a special Z-Tune Silver paint scheme. The number 10 Z Tune was left with its original paint as per the request of the owner.

Additionally, the Z-tune GT-R was equipped with a Z2 six-cylinder engine. The engine had a cast iron block derived from the GT500. The engine block had thick cylinder walls. The engine is known for its rigidity and overall tensile strength. Additionally, the cylinder bores were enlarged and the strokes were increased as well. The outcome is that the engine produced 493 hp and 398 lb-ft torque. The 2.8-liter straight-six turbocharged engine came with a 9000 rpm redline! Additionally, the engine was electronically limited to 155 mph!

#5 - The car came with a lockout feature for its 1st gear

The car came with 1st gear lockout feature. This system kept Nissan GTR R34 stick shift owners from accidentally shifting to the first gear instead of the third.

#6 - The car came with all-wheel-drive feature

One of the many Unique Selling Points of the Nissan R34 GT-R Skyline is that the car comes with an all-wheel-drive feature. The feature was marketed as ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system. The system was designed to offer active torque vectoring. Additionally, the system was designed to distribute engine power between the front and rear axles as per the requirement of the driver.

Own a GT-R R34? Don’t forget to use a GPS tracker!

It is evident by now that the R34 GT-R is one of the most desirable Nissans ever made. One might find that the car is overrated but even if it was true, one cannot ignore the fan base of this car. At the same time, one cannot ignore that the demand for this car is very high worldwide. Hence, it is natural for your Nissan R34 GT-R Skyline to be targeted by thieves.

Protect your car by using a GPS tracker. Additionally, if you have to let your teen drive your beloved GT-R, use a hidden GPS tracker for car to keep your teen and your car within a geozone you have created. Additionally, you can use a GPS tracking device for car to keep tabs on the recall history of your GT-R. On top of this, you can also use the best vehicle tracker to identify the gas stations that sell high-octane fuel suitable for your GT-R.

Automobile engineers, for years, have been struggling to make their car designs efficient. At the same time, carmakers were trying to figure out how they could increase the overall performance of their vehicles.

The answer came in the form of active aerodynamics.

The traditional way to make a car stable, fast, and fuel-efficient was to hone its passive aerodynamic aspects.

What are the passive aerodynamic aspects of a car?

The sleek contours, static spoilers, air scoops, and diffusers are collectively known as passive aerodynamic aspects of a car.

However, since this blog is all about active aerodynamics, let’s dive straight into the topic now, shall we!?

What is active aerodynamics?

Active aerodynamics system is an umbrella term. The system consists of immaculately designed software controlling an array of movable hardware.

The hardware consists of –

• Variable geometry wings
• Adaptive rear spoilers
• Active underbody panels
• Dynamic air curtains
• Active grille shutters

The technology subtly modifies the shape of a car as per the inputs from the driver and the speed of the vehicle. The system also takes cues from various sensors installed all over the vehicle that track acceleration, cornering, braking, and even wind direction.

What was the goal behind the development of active aerodynamics?

Active aerodynamic cars were developed in a bid to enhance their behavior as per the speed, road conditions, and inputs from the driver. The outcome is that active aerodynamic system-equipped cars offered the following benefits.

• Fuel-efficient performance cars became a reality.
• Safer race cars led to fewer fatal accidents.
• Sports cars started having sharp cornering capabilities.
• Performance cars now had enhanced traction irrespective of road conditions.

Crazy facts about car active aerodynamics

Apart from the benefits mentioned above, the world of active aerodynamics is riddled with quite a few crazy facts. Read on to learn about a few of them.

Active aerodynamics has been around for a while

If you think that active aerodynamics is a new automotive technology then you would be wrong. The technology found its way into mass production through Mitsubishi 3000GT way back in 1990!

Active aerodynamics help sports cars clear speed breakers and related road obstacles

Clearing speed breakers without scraping the bumpers was always a challenge for sports cars. But this changed with the introduction of the 911 Turbo by Porsche. The car came with an adjustable wing. At the same time, the car had active aero in the front in the form of a folding splitter. The splitter deploys when the car is cruising the highways and disappears in the bodywork at low speeds. The outcome is that drivers could clear speed breakers without breaking the expensive splitters of their beloved 911 Turbo.

Active aerodynamics help increase the downforce experienced by a vehicle

The downward lift experienced by a vehicle’s aerodynamic elements as the vehicle moves with speed is called downforce. Downforce helps keep the wheels of a car experiencing increased traction. The outcome is that the car will handle well irrespective of the speed and will never lose traction even when the road is wet. One of the best examples of active aerodynamics available in a mass-production sports car is the Lamborghini Huracán Performante. The car is equipped with Lamborghini’s proprietary active aerodynamic system known as Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA).

What’s the benefit of buying this edition of the Huracan over the standard trim?

Well, owners of the Lamborghini Huracán Performante can experience their car performing like a track-ready sports car.

Every car can benefit from active aerodynamics

Active aerodynamics has taken the global performance vehicle market to new heights. Performance cars can actively manipulate the air flowing around them as they cruise ahead on a highway thanks to this technology. People who crave speed or want their exotic cars to have high-speed stability but remain fuel-efficient benefit from active aero.

However, one should remember that active aerodynamics comes with lots of active and passive functions. When a vehicle has a bunch of active and passive functions as well as related hardware, things can go wrong. This means that fixing up a vehicle and restoring its active aerodynamic system to factory condition would be a costly affair. The best way to keep costs down is to ensure that the vehicle is subjected to preventative maintenance periodically. However, keeping track of your vehicle’s service routine is pretty tough. This can be made easy when you attach a car tracking device to your exotic car.

How a car tracker can help you in this matter?

Well, leading car GPS brands like Vyncs offer you car service reminders. Additionally, you can track the fault codes of your exotic car and take action accordingly. Additionally, the best GPS tracker for cars can also help exotic car rental company owners keep track of their fleet vehicles. Tracking your fleet is one of the best practices when you run a fleet business.

Additionally, you can track how your valet drivers are performing when they are parking your exotic fleet of cars. You can reward your best-performing drivers in a bid to ascertain their importance in your company.

Trackers can also boost the performance of your fleet and lower the insurance premiums of your fleet vehicles. You can also use geofence to improve your fleet business by keeping your vehicles away from the turfs of your competitors.

Additionally, fleet GPS trackers for car rental companies let you ascertain your clients are not treating your expensive fleet cars harshly. You can also track how much fuel your fleet vehicles are consuming every month.

Think about it!

It is not surprising for the vehicle in front of you on a freeway to suddenly apply on its brake. As a natural reaction, you slam on the brake pedal but it was not enough and you end up crashing your vehicle into the other car.

The above scenario could have been averted.

How?

Well, all you had to do was simply implement the 4-second driving rule.

What’s the 4-second rule in driving?

Keeping your car at least 4 seconds away from the car in front of you as both vehicles cruise down a road is known as the 4-second rule.

Why it is important to implement the 4-second rule in your daily drives?

Implementing the 4-second rule for driving lets you stay safe on the roads. You can also help other motorists avoid a fatal pile-up. Additionally, if you are driving your car with your loved ones aboard it, maintaining this rule becomes a necessity. On top of this, even if your car crashes and you have proof that you maintained the 4-second rule, your insurer will not deny you your payout!

Determining the safe distance is easy when you are driving under the limit

There are many benefits of driving under the speed limit. As you increase the speed of your vehicle, its momentum increases as well. With increased momentum, your car would need to cover additional distance before coming to a stop.

Driving under the speed limit lets you have enough time to safely brake and bring your car to a stop. Additionally, you will benefit from the extra few seconds that you can use to react properly. Furthermore, the additional few seconds will help you determine the safe and correct distance from the vehicles in front of you.

Tailgating is dangerous and avoiding it is pretty easy

You might have mastered the art of defensive braking or safely bringing your car to a halt on icy or wet road conditions. But, if you are tailgating other vehicles, you will not have enough road or time to do that! As per data pulled from fleet tracker users, most private vehicles that choose to drive dangerously close to big rigs are at higher risk of being in an accident. Avoiding this is easy with the 4-second rule!

Steps for implementing the 4 seconds rule in driving

Implementing the 4-second rule in driving is relatively easy when you know what you are doing.

The first thing you should do is use a GPS tracker for car and choose the route with minimal traffic and congestion. After that, identify a stationary object on the road in front of your car. The object could be a tree, a milepost, etc. Start counting from one to four as soon as the car in front of you passes the previously identified stationary object.

If your car passes that previously identified stationary object before you count ‘4’ you are too close to the vehicle in front. Slow down and keep doing that until ample space is between the two vehicles.

Use a connected car device and stay safe on the roads

How?

Connected car devices made by reputed brands offer car owners features like route planning.

How will route planning help you stay safe on the roads?

Well, you can gauge what the traffic would be like on your way to work or that holiday destination you have been planning to explore. Using the information from your private or fleet tracking device app, you can avoid stretches of the road with heavy traffic. When you still encounter traffic you can maintain the 4-second rule for driving in a bid to stay safe.

Additional benefits of using a GPS tracker for car

The latest generation of consumer and fleet tracker devices lets users keep track of their vehicle’s overall health. Additionally, gas stations can be evaluated in a bid to get the best quality fuel at the right price.

On top of this, tracker devices for vehicles also let users set geozones around their vehicles. In this way, the tracker acts like an anti-theft device and also protects the vehicle from unauthorized towing.

You need to master the 4-second rule

Now that you have learned about the 4-second rule, you might be eager to implement it in your daily drives.

Please note that the 4-second rule is easy on paper but hard to implement on the roads. Additionally, there are other factors that you need to consider. For example, keeping your vehicle 4 seconds away from the vehicle in front is not enough. You need to have defensive driving skills and at the same time, be aware of your surroundings.

Additionally, the 4-second rule is applicable at relatively low speeds. At cruising speeds, make sure that there is ample space between your car and other motorists. It is the only way for you to have enough reaction time if something happens in the road ahead.

Also, ensure that you keep tabs on the overall health of your vehicle using the best OBD2 GPS tracker. The best vehicle trackers ensure that you replace the brake pads and tires of your vehicle at the right intervals. The outcome is that you will be able to stay safe on the roads.

One of the best ways to discover a country’s natural beauty and iconic landmarks is to embark on a road trip.

Hitting the road with your friends and family is way better than flying or taking the train. Besides, the occasional stops to take a selfie or record the road as the car cruises on have a charm of their own.

However, before taking a road trip remember to get your hands on some must-have road trip accessories for your car.

Take a look at the sections below where we handpicked a few car accessories that will come in handy on a road trip.

#1 - a seat-back organizer

A road trip is incomplete without cool drinks, books, tablets, and a deck of Uno! However, keeping loose items organized in a moving car packed with luggage and your loved ones is not easy.

The solution is to hang a seat back organizer in your car. A seat-back organizer lets you keep road trip essentials secured and within easy reach – enough said!

#2 – a smartphone mount

A smartphone mount is a handy car accessory that lets you mount your phone on the dashboard. In this way, you won’t have to take your eyes off the road. If you have to take a call or use the navigation feature of your phone, do it without worrying!

#3 – a power inverter

Most cars come with one, two, or a maximum of three power outlets. These outlets are enough to charge your smartphone. But what about charging multiple devices or firing up power-hungry devices at the same time? Can your car handle that entire load without popping a fuse?

No, a car’s wiring cannot handle excess load. Additionally, you risk a fire hazard for your loved ones, the car, and your belongings if you overload your car’s power outlets.

The solution is to pack a power inverter. These devices have a battery pack within them and come equipped with multiple power outlets. On top of this, the power outlets have variable power ratings. It means that you can even fire up a power-hungry device like a portable vacuum cleaner with a power inverter.

#4 – a dashcam

Even the most seasoned drivers can make a mistake on the road leading to an accident. Then there is the issue of the insurer not paying the car owner to cover the repair costs citing insufficient tangible proof. If unfortunately you end up in such a situation and you have a dashcam installed in your car you are sorted! The dashcam footage can be handed over to your car insurer and the law enforcers so that your issues are resolved in no time. Additionally, high-definition dashcam footage can also be used to create vlogs or to document your journey.

#5 – a portable jump starter

One of the best road trip car accessories is a portable jump starter.

A portable jump starter does what it says in its name. In case the 12-volt battery of your car dies for some unforeseen reason, you can still start your car’s engine. Just connect the portable jump starter to the dead 12-volt battery of your car, and voila! Pack everything up and get back on the road!

Additionally, a portable jump starter not only has limited dimensions at the same time, but it’s also lightweight. So no additional space is needed in your car and it doesn’t even add extra weight to the vehicle.

Protect your car, yourself, and your loved ones with a vehicle tracking device

Before beginning your road trip, don’t forget to attach an Vyncs OBD2 GPS tracker to your car.

Why?

Well, premium GPS trackers for vehicles let you track your driving habits. Additionally, you can track your car’s mileage and evaluate gas stations. Gas station evaluation lets you pour the best quality and reasonably priced fuel into your car.

On top of this, a premium vehicle tracking device lets you call for road side assistance in case your car breaks down during the trip. A car tracker made by the best brand also lets you monitor the health of your car’s 12 Volt battery!

However, make sure that you are investing your hard-earned money in the best car tracker that entails no monthly fee, for the best results!

GPS awareness and use have dramatically increased over the decades. The factors that contributed to the rapid adoption of GPS trackers are affordability and availability.

Almost all passenger and even commercial vehicles now come equipped with infotainment systems. These infotainment systems on the other hand are programmed to offer basic or advanced navigation features. Additionally, every smartphone currently available around the world offers GPS features.

Then there are GPS tracking devices meant for private and commercial vehicles. Asset tracking is yet another modern implementation of GPS trackers. Tracking devices are used to keep tabs on equipment, vehicles, etc. used in agriculture, construction, mining, etc.

The increased dependence on GPS devices also comes with a downside. If the GPS goes down for good, the modern way of life will come crashing down.

How will GPS crash?

Well, a massive space weather event can trigger a worldwide crash of the GPS satellite cluster. However, the upside is that space weather events are rare. But when they take place, they leave their negative effects on your car tracking device.

The effects of space weather on your GPS car tracking device

Vehicle trackers are negatively affected whenever there is a mild solar storm. The reason is simple. Since the GPS satellites are way above the Earth’s atmosphere, they are bombarded by the high-energy particles of solar storms.

The high-energy particles penetrate the sensitive electronic components of GPS satellites. Additionally, the high-energy particles tend to burrow within an affected satellite’s insulators. As this keeps on happening, the energy from these particles builds up and then fries the electronic components of the satellite through a massive static discharge.

If the above scenarios are somehow avoided by a GPS satellite, even the best vehicle tracking device can show inaccuracies during bad space weather events.

Why?

Ionospheric disturbances can make a GPS vehicle tracking device go haywire.

What is an ionospheric disturbance?

When a certain portion of the Earth’s ionosphere has a sudden intense increase of ionization, then this phenomenon is known as an ionospheric disturbance. These events are almost recurring since they take place every night in the Earth’s ionosphere.

The regions that experience this event frequently are –

• Northern part of Australia.
• South East Asia.
• Across the African continent.

Are ionospheric disturbances events triggered by sunspots?

No, ionospheric disturbances are not triggered by sunspots. Instead, your favorite GPS tracking device will act out even if solar activity is minimal on a particular day.

Why?

Well, even the best OBD2 GPS tracker will be affected when ionospheric events occur. Ionospheric events are internally driven events. This phenomenon occurs when electrons in the ionosphere rise from low-density plasma to high-density plasma. The process is known in the scientific communities as the Rayleigh-Taylor instability.

What exactly happens to a tracking device during ionospheric disturbances?

Signal breaks are natural outcomes. A GPS car tracking device will not be able to receive signals from GPS satellites. The reason is simple. During an ionospheric disturbance, the ionosphere experiences an unprecedented amount of turbulence. Satellite signals are radio signals. Radio signals get distorted while moving through dense plasma packed with high-energy electrons. The outcome is that your preferred car GPS tracker will suffer GPS signal fluctuations and at times will be completely severed from GPS satellites.

Are there other factors that have direct effects on GPS trackers?

Number of available satellites

GPS trackers find your location or the locations of your assets and vehicles with help from GPS satellites. Even the top-shelf GPS car trackers need signals from at least 4 GPS satellites to triangulate its position. If a tracker is not in the line of sight of at least 4 satellites then the tracking device will show inaccurate results.

The geometrical shape of the satellite constellation above your vehicle

Vehicle tracking devices perform better when the number of available satellites is spread out and not clustered at a certain point in the sky above the device.

What are the effects of environmental factors on your GPS tracker?

A GPS tracker for car also performs poorly when it is in a place packed with skyscrapers. Trackers also tend to lose their connection with GPS satellites while a vehicle is in a valley or the woods.

Why?

Tall buildings, trees, hills, and mountains come in the way of incoming signals originating from GPS satellites.

How?

Well-manmade and natural structures bounce off incoming signals from GPS satellites. As a result, GPS connected car solutions tend to misinterpret the reflected signals.

How?

Well, trackers wrongly identify reflected signals as new signals coming from different satellites. The result is wrong GPS data.

Is your position on the earth’s surface a contributing factor as well?

Yes, it is!

It doesn’t matter if you use a Vyncs GPS tracker or any other tracking device. You should remember that the number of satellites in the sky changes as you move across the Earth’s surface. This means that the overall accuracy of your GPS-based devices will fluctuate as well.

It is a known fact that locations near the equator tend to receive strong signals from GPS satellites.

But why is that!?

Well, locations that are near the equator tend to have a better view of the sky. In simple words, GPS receivers will be getting signals from a large number of GPS satellites. Hence, increased accuracy is a natural outcome.

You can always read a map or ask for directions

Inaccurate GPS tracker data can come in the way of your road trip or fleet management plans. Solar storms and other environmental factors cannot be controlled. Hence, it is best to make a habit of reading an old-fashioned map or simply ask for directions. Don’t you think?

Back in the day, a car used to be a luxury. Not anymore. Owning a personal or commercial vehicle is a necessity in this modern age. However, buying a vehicle these days is quite a task. Even a basic truck or panel van comes with hefty price tags.

Knowing all of this, you still scraped up your savings, got some financing, and bought a vehicle for personal or commercial use. However, when it comes to maintaining your vehicle, you tend to ignore what needs to be done.

Even if you put off fixing that broken tail light on time, do not forget to change the engine oil of your vehicle.

Why?

Well, on-time engine oil changes offer vehicle owners a lot of benefits and this post will discuss some of them.

Before that, let us first understand why your vehicle’s engine needs oil.

Well, engine oil lubricates every moving and static internal component of a vehicle’s engine. The goal of pouring oil into your engine is to keep it from suffering irreversible heat and friction-based damages.

What are the benefits of changing your vehicle’s engine oil on time?

The benefits of on-time oil changes are many but the most significant ones are mentioned below.

The engine will be cleaned from the inside

So you use a connected car OBD GPS to keep your beloved vehicle from high-risk zones to keep it safe?

Kudos!

Do you keep your car clean and shiny on the inside and out?

Bravo!

What about the interior of your car’s engine? Is it clean as well?

How can you do that?

Well, try changing the engine oil on time. You will be glad to know that engine oils come with additives. Some of those additives have surfactant properties. What does this mean?

In simple words, engine oils not only lubricate an engine but at the same time, clean it!

Isn't that neat?

The engine’s operational life will be longer

Do you love your truck? Do you own a classic car? Is that JDM Nissan Skyline GTR your dream car?

Make sure that you equip your automotive baby with GPS vehicle monitoring devices. Additionally, change the engine oil of your car on time. Do this and your classic car, that JDM legend, or that trusty truck you own would keep on purring for decades!

A lubricated engine runs smooth

Does your vehicle’s engine vibrate more than it should? Have you diagnosed your vehicle with a car health monitor but could not find any fault codes?

When was the last time you changed the engine oil of your car?

Please note that an engine running with old burnt oil in it is at risk of forming rust on its inner surfaces. Dirt, rust, and related contaminants come in the way of an engine’s normal operations. The outcome is that the engine will vibrate a lot across all RPM ranges.

Your fuel expenses will go down

An engine that runs poorly will consume more fuel. If you do not believe this statement then use Connected Car Solutions and use their mileage tracker feature. Calculate how much fuel your vehicle is sipping up unnecessarily.

Old oil doesn’t properly lubricate the inner surfaces of an engine or its moving parts. Hence, friction will be high within such an engine. The outcome, the engine will burn more fuel compared to a properly lubricated one, under similar conditions.

In simple words, if you want to reduce your fuel expenses, change the engine oil of your vehicle at recommended intervals.

The original engine power and torque outputs will be restored

Old or burnt oil increases the friction inside an engine. It means that the torque and power outputs of an engine running with old oil will be significantly low. Use an OBD-II active car health monitor device to track when it is time to change the oil.

Old or burnt engine oil loses its viscosity over time. Less viscous engine oil does not stick properly to the inner surfaces of an engine. The result is increased friction within an engine which reduces its overall power and torque outputs.

If you don’t want this to happen to your vehicle then change its oil on time.

How frequently should you change your vehicle’s engine oil?

The engine of your car or truck will need an oil change depending on your driving style. Additionally, frequent engine oil changes will be needed for vehicles that are put through a lot of stress.

Also, vehicles stashed in a museum or private garage that are not driven regularly, need frequent oil changes.

Why?

Well, engine oil loses its potency over time. Even if a vehicle is not driven regularly, its engine oil will not be fit for use. When this museum or private garage-stored vehicle is taken for a drive, its engine might suffer irreversible damage.

The ideal vehicle owner is the one who listens to the recommendations of trained mechanics.

Be the ideal owner and change the oil of your vehicle as per expert recommendations.

Which type of engine oil should you put in your car or truck?

Well, the final decision is yours. However, for the best results, try to put the engine oil type specified in the owner’s manual of your vehicle. If you don’t want to follow that instruction then do listen to the recommendations of your trusty mechanic.

How a connected car OBD GPS tracker can help you?

Popular connected car solutions like a Vyncs connected car OBD GPS collect relevant data from your car’s ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The collected data is then sent to you via the accompanying app. In short, you will always know what is going on with your vehicle. You can solve problems before they get big thus keeping your car from breaking down completely.

Connected vehicle solutions like a Vyncs device also let you track how much emission your car is putting out through its tailpipe. Additionally, vehicle tracking and monitoring devices also send notifications whenever your car’s battery health is dropping.

You can also track your vehicle performance by keeping an eye on your vehicle’s Diagnostic Trouble Codes.

Devices like a Vyncs GPS tracker also notify car owners the moment their car’s manufacturer issues a voluntary recall notice. This is one of the significant benefits of using connected vehicle solutions. You must keep track of your car’s recall history. Voluntary recalls are issued whenever an underlying issue is causing a batch of cars to perform poorly on the roads. Priority recall notices are also issued when a car has components that may cause an accident or breakdown.

Want to know what’s the mileage of your car? Get the latest vehicle monitoring device and use its mileage tracker feature. It’s that easy!

If this is not convincing enough then be informed that connected vehicle devices also send maintenance reminders to you periodically. You will never fail to change the engine oil of your car on time.

Interesting, isn’t it?

Change your vehicle’s engine oil on time and rest easy!

Changing the engine oil of your vehicle regularly is a good practice. Oil changes are part and parcel of owning a vehicle. If you keep driving your vehicle with old or low engine oil, the mileage will suffer. Additionally, the torque and power outputs of your vehicle will also suffer. If that was not convincing enough for you then remember that on-time oil changes also increase the overall operational life of a vehicle by several folds. For more details, it is recommended that you refer to the owner’s manual of your vehicle.

Being a fleet manager is quite hectic, to be honest. In a nutshell, fleet managers should keep up with market shifts. Issues like supply chain disruptions, faulty recruitment drives, failed talent retention often make the life of a fleet manager impossible.

However, a fleet manager can open new ways to tackle fleet management challenges given they start using fleet management technologies.

If current trends continue, then fleet management will become more expensive and complex. If businesses do not let their fleet managers integrate available fleet management tools then managing in-house fleets won’t be sustainable.

What are the primary challenges of managing a fleet?

Fleet managers face various kinds of challenges every day. However, the most pressing issues associated with fleet management are as follows.

Keeping operational costs down

The biggest challenge for a fleet manager is to keep the overall operational cost of a fleet down. If operational cost is not managed then a fleet cannot compete with market changes.

What’s the best way to keep the operational costs of a fleet down?

A visionary fleet manager will readily retrofit fleet vehicles with fleet tracking devices. Fleet tracking makes cost management easy.

How?

Well, managers will have all relevant data at their fingertips that can be used to analyze every aspect of the fleet. Then it will be easy to identify the areas in a fleet that needs improvement.

For example, solutions like Vyncs fleet management lets managers cut vehicle idling by instructing drivers to use routes with less traffic. Additionally, fleet managers can keep their company from being sued by environmental watchdogs.

How?

By minimizing vehicle idling and optimizing routes, businesses can reduce the entire carbon footprint of their in-house fleet. Thus, penalties and lawsuits can be averted.

Overcoming supply chain disruptions

Supply chains are fragile. When supply chains go out of order, businesses and customers feel the subsequent negative effects.

What are the negative effects of supply chain disruptions?

Well, the natural outcomes of supply chain disruptions are as follows –

• Runaway fuel prices.
• Raw material shortages.
• High material costs.

So what is the solution for managing issues that crop up when supply chains fail?

A fleet manager can future proof their fleet by using fleet GPS solutions. Integrating fleet trackers into a fleet is a great idea. Additionally, businesses and their supply chains benefit from GPS trackers.

How?

Solutions like Vyncs OBD 2 devices for fleets let managers ensure they have drivers and vehicles available at all times. In this way, delayed deliveries and unsatisfied customers will become things of the past.

Managers can establish clear lines of communication between them and the fleet drivers they manage.

What would this achieve?

• Driver requirements will be met.
• Delivery issues will be solved on the fly and
• Vehicle problems are nipped at the bud!

What do you think about that?

Managing fleet fuel expenses

Companies with in-house fleets dread rising fuel costs. Although fleet managers cannot control fuel prices, they can surely take some steps.

For example, experienced fleet managers will equip every fleet vehicle they manage with a GPS fleet tracker.

How will this help?

A latest generation GPS tracker for fleet supports fuel management. A company spends a lot of money on fuel purchases for its in-house fleet. Hence, it makes sense for a fleet manager to curb fuel fraud and fuel theft within the fleet they are managing.

Devices like a Vyncs fleet GPS also help identify the gas stations offering high quality fuel at the best prices. Managers can also ensure that fleet vehicles are not overloaded. Overloading fleet vehicles bring down the mileage of a fleet by several folds.

Fleet tracking and management solutions also let managers plan the quickest route for their fleet drivers. This simple step minimizes fuel wastage, engine idling and instances of a fleet vehicle being stuck in traffic.

Optimizing delivery routes

A successful business is the one that delivers products to the doorsteps of its customers on time. This can be done easily by retrofitting fleet vehicles with fleet GPS trackers.

How would that help?

Managers can alert drivers when a significant event occurs within the company. Additionally by using real time data, managers can track the position of vehicles and optimize delivery routes on the fly. If a planned route has heavy traffic and a delayed delivery is imminent, an alternate route can be identified.

In short, GPS fleet trackers let managers optimize delivery routes, keep the company reputation intact and reduce delivery times.

Keeping drivers and vehicles safe

One of the primary responsibilities of a fleet manager is to keep fleet vehicles and drivers safe. Keeping fleet vehicles safe is easy. Just make sure the fleet vehicles are equipped with fleet trackers.

How can fleet tracking devices help in this case?

Well, managers can ensure the company vehicles are properly driven. Rash driving not only puts other motorists at risk, but also reduces the overall operational life of a vehicle. A badly driven vehicle will break down often and will need frequent repairs – meaning an increase in operational costs.

Additionally, rapid accelerations reduce the life of a vehicle’s transmission. Harsh braking, on the other hand, increases the wear and tear of brakes. Managers can also ensure that the company vehicle is not used other than official work. At the same time, fleet vehicles can be kept away from high risk zones.

Drivers can be kept safe by tracking by ensuring they drive for limited hours. A tired driver can crash the fleet vehicle, make deliveries at wrong addresses and even fall asleep behind the wheel! Using fleet trackers and monitoring driver behavior puts an end to this problem.

Keeping up with fleet vehicle maintenance

In-house fleet vehicles should be in their top-notch condition – which is an expensive affair, to be honest.

However, fleet vehicle maintenance costs can be controlled using solutions like Vyncs fleet telematics. By using fleet management solutions, fleet managers can –

• Track vehicle performance using OBD-II fault codes.
• Track OEM recall notices.
• Track the overall health of fleet vehicle battery.
• Track fleet vehicle emissions and more.

Additionally, electrical and mechanical issues are solved as they come up. In this way, fleet vehicle downtime is minimized. On top of this, the entire fleet becomes more efficient.

Integrating smart fleet management solutions is strongly advised

Integrating smart fleet management solutions is strongly advised for fleet managers. As a fleet manager, you can manage fleet assets, monitor drivers or schedule vehicle maintenance on the fly. The best part about fleet management solutions is that they are compatible with businesses of all kinds and sizes. Any business would suffer losses or disruptions in its supply chain if its in-house fleet is not efficient. Integrating fleet management solutions is one of the best ways to tackle fleet-related challenges and make it efficient. To learn more, click here.

This era is dominated by technology. Life has become easy thanks to services and products of convenience. However, technological advancements also made it easy for thieves to steal vehicles. Vehicle theft is steadily rising in the US. However, if you are an informed vehicle owner, you should equip your vehicle with an anti theft device today!

Why should you invest in an anti theft solution like Vyncs GPS tracker?

Well, Vyncs trackers have been identified as one of the a best anti-theft car tracking device?.

As for the reasons why you should invest in an anti theft solution, you’d need to read the following sections.

But before that, let us first understand what exactly an anti theft device is.

What is an anti theft device?

An anti-theft device for a car is a mechanism that a private or fleet vehicle owner can install later in their vehicle. Anti theft devices prevent unauthorized access and unauthorized towing. At the same time, these devices let vehicle owners to easily track their stolen or towed away vehicles.

What are the various kinds of vehicle anti theft devices?

There are several kinds of anti theft devices for cars and fleet vehicles.

Some of the most popular options are as follows.

• One of the most effective ways to deter car thieves is to invest in a GPS anti theft device. These devices offer more than GPS tracking to vehicle owners. For instance, vehicle owners can keep tabs on their vehicle when it is parked. How? Well, solutions like a Vyncs real-time vehicle tracking device uses cellular technology. These devices pings the real-time location of the vehicle it is protecting.
• One can also select GPS tracking systems with built-in features like GPS anti theft feature. In case of theft, the police can use location data of the stolen vehicle and quickly retrieve it. Tracking systems can also help catch vehicle thieves.
• Another car anti theft device is the steering wheel lock. These devices are attached to the steering wheel of a vehicle in a bid keep thieves from steering it.
• Almost all new cars in the US do come with a standard alarm. However, older vehicles do not have alarms installed in them from the factory. In case you own an old private or commercial vehicle, retrofit it with an alarm today. Your vehicle will flash its headlamps, blinkers and horn when someone attempts to break into your car.
• You can make your vehicle hot-wire proof by installing immobilizers.
• You can also install a hidden fuel supply kill switch to prevent thieves from even starting your vehicle.
• You can also retrofit your vehicle with tamper-proof hood locks to keep thieves from accessing the engine compartment.

Why criminals target vehicles?

Here’s why criminals target private vehicles

Criminals target private vehicles for the following reasons -

• Certain models have a high demand in the used car market.
• The spare parts of certain vehicles fetch a lot of money in the gray market.

Here’s why criminals target commercial vehicles

Criminals target commercial vehicles for the following reasons -

• To steal expensive cargo.
• To steal expensive retrofitted equipment within the fleet vehicle.
• It is easier to remain undetected in a cargo vehicle parking lot.

Deter vehicle theft with GPS trackers

Vehicle theft is a menace. The worrying part is that the rate of this crime is increasing in the US. Hence, it makes sense for vehicle owners to invest in appropriate countermeasures. For instance, a device offers features like geofencing, real time tracking, etc. In simple words, a GPS anti theft device will let you know the exact location of your vehicle at all times. Trackers not only deter thieves but also enable swift recovery of stolen vehicles.

Additionally, anti theft solutions like a Vyncs connected car device offer vehicle owners peace of mind.

How?

Well, features like gas station evaluation allow you to keep a tab on your fuel expenses. You can buy fuel from gas stations that offer high quality fuel at competitive rates. Then there is the benefit of tracking the overall health of your vehicle by tracking engine fault codes. You can also track how you or your fleet drivers are driving the vehicles. With driver behavior monitoring, vehicle maintenance and running costs will also come down.

Impressed yet?

Vehicle GPS trackers offer a lot of benefits other than tracking!

Vehicle GPS trackers offer a lot of benefits other than tracking.

For instance, solutions like Vyncs fleet management offer fleet vehicle owners features like tamper alerts. In simple words, in case the tracking device has been plugged in after it was removed, a push notification will be sent. This feature is beneficial to identify drivers that use the vehicle assigned to them for personal errands.

Parents - you can track your teens if the family car is taken outside the geofence you set for the vehicle.

Reputed vehicle protection solutions like a Vyncs device use real time location and geofencing data together as an anti theft measure. Similarly, if you set a geofence around your vehicle’s parking area and the vehicle was towed, you will be notified.

You can also use a tracker to plan your routes and avoid rush hour traffic. In this way, you will save a lot of time, fuel and money every time you take your vehicle out.

Then there are devices that offer road side assistance as a premium feature. If your vehicle is stuck in the middle of nowhere, you can rely on your tracking solution and call for help.

Use these tips and keep your car or fleet vehicles safe

• Install anti theft solutions like Vyncs vehicle tracker in your private or commercial vehicle
• Hide the anti-theft device to keep drivers from unplugging it. A concealed device also makes it hard for a car thief to find it and disable it.
• Turn on the real-time GPS tracking feature in the companion app your tracking device provider has offered.
• Track your fleet drivers. Ensure that they are not driving your vehicles outside the geofences you have created.
• Keep your vehicles away from high-risk zones.

The smart way to protect your car against theft

If you don’t want your car or your fleet vehicle to be stolen then invest in GPS anti theft solutions today. Modern GPS trackers do more than connect families and businesses with their vehicles. Deterring vehicles thefts and retrieving stolen vehicles are easy thanks to features like real time tracking, tamper alerts and geofencing.

However, there is a catch!

You would have to make sure that the GPS tracker you bought is easy to use and install. Additionally, choose a device that comes with no monthly fees and offers at least a risk-free trial period. In short, do a bit of research before investing your hard-earned money on an anti theft solution for your vehicle.

Almost every vehicle manufacturer in the world is electrifying their vehicle line-ups. Even if a brand chooses not to electrify its entire vehicle line-up, at least one or two vehicles will be electrified.

The reason behind this sudden shift in the automobile sector is simple. Electric vehicles have several positive effects in store for buyers and manufacturers alike. Vehicle manufacturers can say that they are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint. Car buyers can take guilt-free drives to work or for leisure.

Electric vehicles perform better when compared to gas-powered vehicles

Electric vehicles have been met with open arms by auto enthusiasts all around the world. The acceleration of an electric vehicle is amazing, to be honest. The entire torque range of the driving motors installed in an electric vehicle is available from the get-go. Additionally, electric vehicles offer several unique features to drivers such as regenerative braking.

If that is not enough, then you will be glad to know that electric vehicles emit no pollutants as they move. Additionally, since the number of moving mechanical parts is less in an EV, maintaining them is as easy as it gets.

The EV industry is booming in the United States

The EV industry in the US is booming. To put things into perspective, by the end of this year, the EV market share in the US is expected to reach US$82.8bn. By 2028, the US electric vehicle market share is projected to reach US$161.6bn. The current Compound Annual Growth Rate of the US EV market sector is 18.20% - which is huge. Don’t you agree?

Get a Smart car tracking device and track the energy consumption of your EV

Even with all the technical advancements made in EV technology, people still suffer from EV range anxiety. However, there is a solution to this problem. EV owners can simply use smart GPS car trackers like a Vyncs vehicle tracking device. In this way, an EV owner can track the overall health of their EV’s battery pack. EV owners can also track how much energy their EV is consuming from the grid. Owners can also practice good charging habits for their EVs.

In simple words, using trackers streamlines the driving and charging experiences of an EV.

Get detailed onboard electric vehicle data

All modern vehicles generate telematics data in the form of average speed, distance to empty, etc. Electric vehicles generate additional EV telematics such as battery energy density, charging/discharging data, etc. These data points are available in the in-dash screens of most EVs. However, with an EV monitoring device, you will have additional data that will help you modify your driving and vehicle charging habits.

Connected vehicle technology benefits EV fleets

Connected vehicle solutions benefit EV fleets as well. The applications of trackers are not limited to private EV owners. Several small, medium, and large businesses use vehicle GPS trackers to make their fleet management more efficient. The latest generation of comprehensive EV fleet monitoring solutions to maximize the productivity of EV fleet vehicles.

EV Fleet tracking technology also lets fleet managers track and manage their electric fleet vehicles as well as their drivers efficiently. Additionally, solutions like a Vyncs electric vehicle tracking device help businesses minimize the environmental impact of their electric vehicle fleets.

When the environmental impact of a commercial activity is low, a business would not be fined or sued. On top of this, modern fleet management solutions offer a trove of important data points such as driver behavior. Using driver on-road behavior data, fleet managers can weed out unruly drivers. Weeding out unruly drivers not only helps protect the image of the brand, but also allow fleet managers to keep the overall condition of their fleet vehicles good.

In short, EV fleet tracking devices help to make a fleet efficient and reduce its operational costs.

Top 4 reasons to track your EV

Keep the battery pack of your EV healthy and easily plan maintenance schedules

A device like a Vyncs real-time GPS tracker lets EV owners ensure they are driving their vehicles properly. In this way, an EV driver can drive more miles on a fully charged battery pack. Additionally, a Vyncs GPS tracker can help EV owners develop good driving habits such as avoiding harsh accelerations. In short, an EV owner can expect their EV to run for more miles, without any electrical or mechanical issues.

Take decisions that are driven by real data

Range anxiety is a natural outcome of being an EV owner. The US has a relatively developed EV charging infrastructure. However, there are still places in the US where one won’t find any fast chargers for their EVs.

Taking a road trip is the preferred way to travel for the average American. By using a Vyncs vehicle GPS tracker, you can plan a route with multiple available charging stations. To put it simply, you can bid farewell to range anxiety with solutions like a real-time tracker for teen drivers.

Optimize the routes you take with your EV

If the energy stored in the battery pack of your EV is used only to run the HVAC while the car is stuck in traffic, it’s a wasted effort. Right?

What if we told you that you can avoid congestion and gridlocks by using devices like a Vyncs OBD GPS tracker. The latest generation of EV trackers lets users optimize the routes they take every day. In this way, you will not be spending hours stuck in traffic just to get from point A to B.

What do you think about that?

Tracking your EV keeps it safe

An EV is fun to drive but it is quite expensive to purchase. On top of that, EV theft cases are steadily rising here in the US.

Why?

Carjackers tend to steal electric vehicles since the value of an EV in the used car market is quite high. Additionally, the electric and mechanical components within an EV also fetch high returns on the gray market.

How can you keep your EV safe?

That’s simple. All you have to do is use a smart GPS tracker for EVs.

Tracking your EV is the way of the wise

Using an electric vehicle for personal or commercial use is a great move. However, without keeping tabs on the vehicle, you won’t be able to get more range out of the vehicle. A reliable tracker will also remind you to develop good driving habits. By tracking your EV, you can keep its operating costs down and take care of it on time. For more details, click here.

Every modern car available in the US comes equipped with infotainment systems. GPS-based navigation is one of the primary uses of an infotainment system in a modern car.

However, the GPS connection of a car’s infotainment system cannot be used to track the vehicle. Taking note of this void in the market, countless brands introduced GPS-based trackers to the US market. The outcome is that, currently the market is flooded with cheap trackers that don’t necessarily work as they should.

So what should you do when you finally decide to install a GPS car monitoring device like Vyncs OBD GPS tracker on your car?

This blog in the following sections will try to answer the above question. However, before getting into that, let’s learn what a tracker is. We will also discuss why it is recommended for you to install a vehicle tracking device in your car.

What is a GPS tracker?

A GPS tracker is a device that uses the Global Positioning System to locate and track a person, vehicle or asset.

A GPS tracker is not the same as the GPS navigation system in your car

Do not confuse the GPS navigation system you got in your car from the factory with modern GPS trackers.

A GPS tracker like Vyncs GPS tracker for cars is typically used for intelligent vehicle management. The GPS navigation-enabled infotainment system of your car simply lets you reach your destination quickly (and safely).

Is it true that all cars in the US are equipped with trackers from the factory?

Well, every car in the US comes with GPS navigation-enabled infotainment systems. These infotainment systems simply use the GPS for navigation purposes. Real-time location tracking is not possible with the infotainment systems of modern cars.

However, the future of vehicle telematics with a new generation of devices like Vyncs vehicle tracker is here. This is why all modern cars collect vehicle performance data such as braking, accelerations, gear shifts, etc. The above-mentioned data points are collected in modern cars for maintenance purposes. Car manufacturers also collect relevant data through the onboard computers of modern cars to keep owners from violating the warranties on their cars.

With that, we have (almost) covered everything that you need to know about car GPS trackers. Now, it is time to learn how you can choose the best GPS tracker for your car.

Choosing the best GPS tracker for your car

Countless brands offer trackers for cars. You will have options in terms of devices, features as well as subscription packages. To put it all in short, you might feel confused. Avoid the noise and buy the connected car management solution like Vyncs car tracker offering the loudest bang for your buck. To do that, you should shortlist the tracker that comes with the following features.

1. Real-time vehicle tracking

The best GPS car tracking device will offer you a real-time vehicle tracking feature. What is that, you ask? Well, real-time GPS car tracking lets you check where your car is at any time. You can also track the details of every road trip you take with your friends and family.

Is your work route becoming unbearable due to rush hour traffic? You can use a tracker like Vyncs GPS vehicle tracking device to plan your route. Is your car used by other members of your family? Get alerts every time the car enters or exits a zone you have created for your car such as work, home or school.

The best car tracking device would also alert you the moment your car is moved from its original position. For instance, if your car is towed away or stolen, you can share the notification data with the authorities. In this way, vehicle recovery becomes easy.

2. Select a device that is easy to use

The best tracker brand would spend a lot of its resources and time to make an easy-to-use GPS tracker. But what makes a tracker easy to use? Well, how about getting a vehicle tracker that offers lifetime device assurance, a risk-free trial period and an easy setup? Whichever tracker you finally choose to buy, make sure that the device is easy to use and setup.

3. Choose a tracker offering a complete connected car experience

What does a complete connected car experience mean?

Well, a tracker that offers a complete connected car experience would let you keep track of your car’s fault codes. Top GPS trackers for cars will also notify you if you miss an appointment with your car mechanic.

The latest generation of vehicle trackers made by the best brands would also remind you to rotate your car tires. You would also get notifications for brake pad replacements and cabin air filter replacements.

That is not all. There are GPS tracker brands out there that would also notify their customers the moment a car brand initiates a recall drive!

Amazing! Isn’t it?

4. A device that is IoT-ready

Make sure that your money is spent on IoT-ready trackers.

What is IoT?

IoT is short for the Internet of Things. IoT is an umbrella term for devices that are connected to the internet in some way or the other.

Why you should get a tracker that is IoT-ready?

With an IoT-ready GPS tracker like a Vyncs GPS vehicle tracker, you will be able to get notifications through your smartwatch. You can also get audible notifications through your digital home assistants (Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Home).

Convenient, don’t you think?

5. Does the device offer Road Side Assistance?

Road Side Assistance comes to your aid when your car breaks down. You can also avail of RSA when your car’s battery is dead. RSA also feels like a boon in the case of a flat tire. If your car doesn’t have an inflated spare tire or you don’t know how to change a tire, RSA is handy.

You would be surprised to know that leading car tracking device brands offer RSA as an additional feature to their customers. So, make sure that the tracking device you are buying offers RSA as a standard or premium feature.

6. The best tracker lets you save money!

Trackers are available that notify vehicle owners in real time how much fuel is left in their vehicle’s fuel tank. Fuel consumption and money spent on fuel purchases can also be tracked using the best GPS trackers. The best tracker lets you save money by planning a route for a trip that has minimal traffic or signals.

7. Choose the tracker that promotes preventative maintenance

Spend your hard-earned money on a tracker that compels you to take your car for periodic preventative maintenance.

What is that?

Preventative maintenance is the process of taking your car to the service center even when it has not broken down.

Why cars should be subjected to preventative maintenance sessions?

Well, through preventative maintenance, small issues in your car can be solved on time. In this way, your car will become extremely reliable.

It is as simple as that!

8. Do you let your teen drive your car? Install a tracker today!

Why tracking a teen driver is important? The reason is simple. Connected car solutions can build & bolster good driving habits in teens. The best GPS trackers would send notifications to you during every harsh braking and rapid acceleration event.

In this way, your teen child will become a more responsible and disciplined driver. At the same time, your car’s life will increase and its running cost will decline.

9. Easy geofence management

Make sure that the tracker you are selecting lets you easily set up, manage and modify a geofence. For instance, a Vyncs GPS vehicle tracker lets its users create a geofence using a polygon. In simple words, a Vyncs geofence doesn’t have a specified shape.

What is a geofence?

A geofence is a virtual fence you are setting up for your family car or commercial vehicle. Every time your car enters or exits a geofence that you have set, you will get a push notification

What is the benefit of a geofence?

Well, you can make sure your teen driver is not going too far with the family car. Additionally, if you are using a tracker for your business vehicle, you can keep the driver and the vehicle away from the turfs of your rivals.

Neat, isn't it?

10. How about a tracker that lets you evaluate gas stations?

The leading brands in the car GPS tracker sector are now offering unique features like gas station evaluation. What is this?

Gas station evaluation lets car owners identify the gas stations where gas is relatively cheap. On top of this, with the above-mentioned feature, car owners can also identify the gas stations where the quality of gas is top-notch. Just think about it!

Car GPS Trackers Are Convenient And Offer Peace Of Mind

Installing a tracker on your car is a necessity, not a luxury. However, if you fail to select the best tracker brand, you might not get the features that you paid for. This is the reason why a bit of research is necessary in this matter. Don’t you agree?

The global economy comes crashing down whenever instability hits the supply chains and the logistics sector. Just think about how your life was negatively affected back in 2020 when everything closed down! Even the e-Commerce sector, back then, suffered from delayed deliveries, lost packages, etc. in the US. A lot of businesses tied up with top e-Commerce platforms suffered losses and related setbacks during this time.

After the lockdown days ended in the US, businesses that heavily rely on logistics and supply chains understood something. Strategic fleet planning is very important. Fleet managers understood that without using fleet tracking technology, they cannot make their organizations future-proof. Additionally, the logistics sector and supply chains are very complex to manage. This is the reason why using the latest fleet management and tracking solution is a wise decision, to be honest.

This blog shines a light on the top ways fleet trackers can be beneficial for businesses and fleet managers. Let’s dive right into it then, shall we!?

Top Ways GPS Fleet Trackers Benefit The Logistics and Supply Chain

The logistics sector and supply chains can reap the following benefits when they use fleet management solutions.

Communications between drivers and fleet managers become clear

A clear line of communication should be created and maintained between fleet vehicle drivers and the managers.

Why?

Well, it is one of the best practices of fleet management.That’s why!

You see seamless communication between fleet managers and drivers result in weeding out bad driving habits. Drivers with a habit of breaking traffic rules or losing their cool often while driving should be tracked. Why? This is one of the most effective ways to protect the image of a business. Additionally the trust of customers in the organization, in question, gets a boost as well. A Vyncs GPS fleet tracking device can offer fleet managers real-time fleet maintenance alerts with GPS about driver road behavior. On top of this, vehicle rerouting, adding pick-ups on the fly, etc. also becomes an easy process. Convincing, isn’t it!?

Increased visibility of business operations

Fleet managers can figure out the exact position of packages in real-time using trackers. Managers can also know which routes are being taken and which vehicles are available to pick additional cargo. Potential issues such as vehicle breakdowns and delayed deliveries can also be averted.

Smart fleet management reduce operational costs

Using cloud-based GPS analytics can help fleet manager reduce operational costs. Devices like Vyncs GPS trackers for fleet with no monthly fee ensures the company vehicle isn’t used for personal purposes.

The latest generation of fleet management solutions comes with intuitive dashboards and intuitive User Interface elements. The result is that smart fleet management ensures seamless cost calculation and reduced operational costs. Based on Key Performance Indicators, fleet managers can also select the best drivers for priority deliveries. In simple words, fleet management solutions help to increase the overall productivity of a fleet.

Improved customer satisfaction is a natural outcome

An organization remains relevant and sustainable when it tries its best to keep its customers satisfied, all the time. You might be wondering how fleet trackers can help an organization achieve this objective.

Well, real-time vehicle monitoring and package tracking, businesses can provide their customers updated information like real-time location of their package. Additional information like estimated time of delivery, possible delays, etc. can also be provided to customers on request. Detailed, transparent and accurate information naturally translates to increased customer satisfaction – it is as simple as that!

Smart fleet management solutions offer an additional layer of safety

Keeping drivers, vehicles and packages safe is one of the primary the roles & responsibilities of a fleet manager. Tried and tested solutions like Vyncs GPS fleet management, can keep issues like misplaced shipments and stolen vehicles at bay. Apart from keeping company resources safe, smart fleet management solutions let fleet drivers avoid unsafe routes.

Fuel management is a given benefit of GPS fleet trackers

Additionally, latest fleet trackers offer users features like efficient fuel management with GPS data. Wondering why fuel management is important in logistics sector and supply chains? The reason is simple – to reduce emissions, fuel wastage and monthly overhead costs.

Businesses will be compliant with state and federal norms

Did you know that using GPS technology for asset tracking help businesses comply with federal and state norms? No, we are not kidding! Telematics-based route optimization makes businesses environment friendly. A company can avoid penalties and lawsuits entirely. Additionally, instances of lost reputation and public trust can also be avoided.

Increased operational transparency

GPS technology for asset tracking such as Vyncs fleet monitoring allows fleet managers to have detailed insights into daily operations. Start using fleet trackers today to know what exactly your fleet drivers are doing. You can also know how company resources are being used and when packages will be picked or dropped off. The outcome is pretty simple to predict – a more successful business and an efficient supply chain!

Fleet operational efficiency gets a boost

Modern range of fleet automation solutions like a Vyncs fleet GPS tracker offer features like real-time route optimization. Enforcing fleet-wide route optimization often becomes a necessity when a business is failing to meet delivery deadlines. If proper steps are not taken on time then your customers might choose your rivals over your company. You definitely do not want that to happen on your watch now, do you!? Stop hovering over the people you manage just to get an update on what’s going on. Use fleet management solutions today!

Reduced insurance premiums

Insurance premiums are skyrocketing in the US. Additionally, it is no news that insuring a commercial vehicle costs more money. In simple words, the premiums for commercial vehicle insurance policies are extremely high. Add the insurance premiums of all the vehicles your company has in its fleet and the amount becomes quite hefty. So, do you need a tip on how you can reduce the insurance premiums for your fleet vehicles? Simply use GPS trackers and accompanying feet management solutions. Why? Well, you see telematics helps lower insurance premiums. How?

Your fleet vehicles will avoid problematic or high-risk routes using the route planning feature available with most fleet trackers. In this way, your fleet vehicles will rarely be in an accident. And you won’t be making insurance claims often! Additionally, your insurer will, in turn, reduce the premiums on your fleet insurance policies. Pretty interesting loop-hole, don’t you think!?

Managing fleet using telematics is wise

The applications of fleet telematics solutions using trackers like a Vyncs fleet tracking device are many. For instance, fleet management services are already heavily used in the trucking industry. Taxi operators large US cities like New York, use fleet trackers to manage their huge taxi fleets. Vehicle rental companies use trackers to make sure customers do not steal the fleet vehicle. International logistics companies use trackers to keep tabs on their cargo ships, planes and last mile delivery vehicles. All these points out one thing – managing fleet using telematics is wise. As a fleet manager or a business owner, use telematics and related fleet management solutions to stay ahead of rivals.

AI or Artificial Intelligence has been snaking its way (almost) into every aspect of modern life. The most significant changes can be seen in the logistics sector.

To put things into perspective, AI fleet management solutions made life easy for small, medium and large scale business owners. Their in-house fleet managers can quickly take necessary steps to make their logistics system resilient, agile, efficient and scalable.

However, just like any other technology, AI fleet tracking systems come with their fair share of benefits and disadvantages. This blog, in the following sections will shine a light on some of them.

But before that, let us take a look at the history of GPS-based company vehicle tracking, in brief.

A brief history of fleet management

A prototype Global Positioning System was first conceived back in the 1960s. The first Global Positioning System became a reality after the Block – I GPS satellite was sent to space. After promising results, ten more similar satellites were sent to space by 1985.

The use of GPS in fleet vehicles began in the US military sector. It was impossible for the technology to be used by the civilians. The reason was simple - there weren’t enough satellites in space to track vehicles. 9 more years were required to complete the GPS space network. This development took place on the January 17, 1994 when the USAF launched two dozen Block – II satellites to space. Even after this development, GPS was used only by the US military to track important vehicles during missions.

It is not that the general population was unaware of GPS. The technology was simply not available to the average Janes and Joes! However GPS became available to the masses when US President Bill Clinton, in 1996, made necessary policy changes. The changes made GPS technology public. The primary users of this technology were fleet managers. GPS for company vehicles allowed small, medium and large scale corporations to track their vehicles.

Since solutions like GPS tracker for company vehicles was in their early day, the technology was not cheap. End users had to pay hefty fees to service providers to access the GPS satellite system. Furthermore, the internet and the computer technology were also in their early stages. In a nutshell, GPS tracker for company vehicles was available to those who could afford it.

Fast forward to 2024, fleet management solutions like Vyncs fleet management are affordable. Businesses can easily install GPS systems in their fleet vehicles and integrate tracking solutions to their daily operations.

Why GPS fleet management has become so popular in recent years?

Doorstep deliveries and eCommerce are amenities that one cannot ignore in their modern life. These two services were made possible with state-of-the-art warehouses and efficient company vehicle tracking.

In the US, the growth rate of the domestic eCommerce sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8%. Market researchers also point out that by 2027, the US eCommerce market volume is expected to surpass US$1,327,412.9 million! This data also points out that the demand for solutions like GPS for company vehicles is also increasing.

The reason is simple. You see, whether a business uses fleet vehicles for first, middle or last mile deliveries, using fleet trackers is crucial.

Why?

Well, GPS tracking solutions allow a business to access information about their vehicles. These devices also allow users to track route information, driver road behavior, and more.

What’s the outcome?

Well, keeping tabs on fleet vehicles come with a lot of benefits. For instance, fleet vehicle batteries will be in their top operational condition. On top of this, fleet managers will be able to weed out unruly drivers to protect brand image. Furthermore, fleet tracking also helps small, medium and large scale corporations keep the fuel expenses of their fleets under control. Fleet managers can also keep their drivers away from the competitor turfs using geo-fencing feature.

Implementation of AI in fleet management

In the last two decades, dramatic developments were made in the sector of Artificial Intelligence.

For instance, Artificial Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms have helped businesses to crunch huge volumes of business-critical data. Data analysis allows businesses to take decisions that would not only keep them competitive but future-proof as well. It is no surprise that AI based fleet management is slowly but surely becoming a standard practice in the US.

What are the benefits of implementing AI in fleet tracking solutions?

Fleet management AI solutions have many benefits in store for businesses. Some of them are as follows.

Tracking fleet vehicles in real time

The best fleet management solutions like a Vyncs fleet tracker come with real-time tracking feature. Consignment and asset tracking becomes easy for fleet managers. Furthermore, using this feature, fleet managers can alter routes in case the original route could delay pick-ups or deliveries.

Reduction in fuel costs

Fleet management solutions like Vyncs fleet trackers have tried and tested Vyncs fuel management feature. This feature can help one to track how much fuel is consumed per trip. One can also track how much fuel is wasted due to idling, traffic or a distracted driver!

Reduction of operational costs

Operating an in-house fleet is not as easy as it sounds. Fleet managers must ensure that fleet vehicle maintenance and preventative maintenance costs don’t add to the budget of a business.Vyncs fleet telematics can help businesses keep their operational costs manageable with on time service reminders and real-time vehicle analysis.

How cool is that!?

Increased profits

Businesses thrive when their operations bring in profits. Companies that have entered a point of stagnation in terms of their profits are not future-proof. Equip your in-house fleet vehicles with the latest Vyncs GPS fleet trackers and witness you profits soar!

Better driver/vehicle safety

Keep your drivers safe by monitoring their on-road behavior as they navigate the planned routes. In case of vehicle breakdowns, fleet drivers can use the RSA feature offered in most modern trackers. In this way, stranded drivers, stuck fleet vehicles and delayed deliveries will be things of the past.

What are the disadvantages of implementing AI in fleet tracking solutions?

AI fleet solutions are not free from drawbacks, to be honest. Some momentary disadvantages of fleet AI solutions are as follows.

There is a learning Curve

Just like any other new technology, there is a learning curve associated with AI based fleet trackers. To make things easy, consult your fleet tracker provider and train your in-house team members today.

There is some upfront cost

Fleet trackers are relatively affordable. But fleet tracking packages could be a costly affair if you do not select the best brand for fleet tracking. To get more bang from your buck, choose Vyncs no monthly fee telematics system for fleets.

Infrastructure has to be updated

Your in-house infrastructure has to be compatible with modern fleet management solutions. If that is not the case, your business will be missing out necessary features like 'tracking’ and ‘driver monitoring’.

AI Fleet Management is the Future

AI based fleet management has changed the industry for the better. Features like geo-fence allow businesses to stay away from the turfs of competitors. Furthermore, intelligent preventative maintenance alerts and Road Side Assistance can help businesses keep their company vehicles operational at all times. In short, integrating modern fleet management solutions into a business should be considered as a necessity and not a luxury. However, the technology is not free from shortcomings. Hence, ensuring that the resources spent on a fleet management solution do not go to waste is crucial. To be on the safe side of things, selecting the right solution provider like Vyncs, can go a long way!

Would you believe if we told you that you can save fuel by taking right turns only? Yes! It's true, and we have proof! Around 90% of the turns made by the delivery vehicles of United Parcel Service (UPS) are right turns.

Why do they do it? The brand claims this policy is instrumental in reducing CO2 emissions by 20,000 tons and using 10 million gallons less fuel. UPS even managed to deliver 350,000 more packages per year.

Left turns are dangerous and inefficient in more ways than one. Based on a study, a left turn is three times more likely to cause a deadly crash involving a pedestrian in NYC than a right turn.

In the USA, people drive on the right side of the road, which means a driver has to cross a lane of oncoming traffic to make a left turn. It can be life-threatening, particularly in high-traffic zones and busy intersections.

How does UPS do it?

To cut a long story short, UPS uses route planning technology powered by fleet GPS telematics.

UPS relies on technology to break its deliveries into smaller hubs with multiple stops and routes.

The brand also leverages fleet GPS trackers to monitor driver performance in real-time. This facilitates delivery status monitoring and identifying areas where drivers can improve their performance.

UPS has even invested in autonomous vehicles, which can increase efficiency further and cut costs.

Why eliminate left turns?

Back in 1959, a renowned mathematician, George Dantzig, introduced the problem of truck dispatching with his research. Basically, it's a method of using data analysis for route optimization and addressing the issue of vehicle routing.

Also described as the 'traveling salesman problem', it asks how to get to as many destinations as possible while keeping operating costs low.

The length of the route dictates optimal routing. However, UPS has over 100,000 delivery vehicles across the world. Naturally, the vehicle routing issue experienced by the brand is different.

In Dantzig's time, UPS delivered eggs and milk, but not today.

Today, it's all about looking at the bigger picture instead of seeking the shortest route on paper or on screen.

UPS devised a stellar solution - they stopped making left turns!

Here are a few benefits of the strategy incorporated by UPS.

1. Fuel savings

Both fuel and transportation costs are on the rise.

The price of regular fuel increased by 49% between January and June 2022.

Think about it - if UPS doesn't take the shortest path, won't its vehicles waste more gas?

In reality, taking longer routes doesn't mean using more fuel.

Mythbusters, a popular TV show, used this idea and found that the policy of taking only right turns doesn't affect fuel consumption.

Actually, it saves gas by supporting drivers. It lets them avoid waiting at traffic lights or idling. After all, left-turning traffic often has to wait for the oncoming traffic to slow down before drivers can cross an intersection.

2. Reduce accidents

Truck drivers and delivery guys have too much on their plates almost all the time.

They have to handle and deliver goods safely and on time. Most importantly, they must ensure their own safety and that of others on the roads.

The right turn policy reduces the risks of accidents, particularly in busy cities with congested roads.

Making turns through oncoming traffic at a junction can be challenging and dangerous.

Right turns, however, are safer because they reduce the risks of head-on collisions and stop drivers from running into other vehicles or pedestrians.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that almost 53% of all cross-path crashes result from left turns.

Locations like New York City have heavy foot traffic. Such places are always risky for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) of NYC found out;

• 108 bicyclists and pedestrians died from crashing against left-turning automobiles between 2010 and 2014.
• Seniors were at a higher risk of sustaining severe injuries and death from left-turning cars, delivery vans, and trucks.
• At almost 18% of all intersections in NYC, left-turn injuries have occurred.
• 70% of injuries happened on one-way streets.

This and similar data played a crucial role in making UPS decide to reduce left-hand turns to only 10%.

3. Time-saver

Can you save time if you take a longer route?

UPS did it, but how? A professor of computer science at the University of Nottingham in the UK, Graham Kendall, researched algorithms to contemplate the brand's choice.

He found that saving time is one of the primary objectives of UPS.

Americans spend 17,600 minutes driving every year and 3,520 minutes standing at red lights, on average.

This amounts to a lot of time spent inside!

Now, think about a driver who works forty hours behind the wheel. This person faces much more driving time than the average person.

UPS removed left turns partially to reduce driving time and avoid idling at red lights.

While the company takes technically longer routes, making right turns almost exclusively means faster driving times.

That's because a driver can turn right on the red light, but only as long as they come to a complete halt first. No signs would prohibit it, and the way would be clear.

This is legal in all the states, but NYC has a few exceptions.

4. Less CO2 emission

Carbon emissions affect the environment significantly and are a primary factor in climate change.

As the number of delivery vans on the roads keeps increasing, emissions will escalate, and traffic will worsen.

Idling causes pollution and contributes to expenses by burning fuel unnecessarily.

Upon reducing travel time, you save money on gas and cut down CO2 emissions.

UPS did it, too! The company currently yields 20,000 tons less CO2 due to its policy.

Vehicle routing is an optimization issue.

Vehicle routing is an optimization issue.

George Dantzig, as mentioned earlier, is the first person who introduced the vehicle routing problem. It's an “optimal set of routes" for a fleet of vehicles to follow during a job.

Optimization is the process of finding the most efficient route for delivery vehicles. It allows drivers to make multiple stops in the shortest time.

The objective is to minimize the costs or distance covered and other factors, such as fuel consumption and travel time.

Optimization works for almost every delivery, from local milk delivery to global-scale freight delivery.

The most effective solutions incorporate an algorithm that takes multiple factors into account, including the following;

• Demands of the customer
• Delivery routes
• Traffic patterns
• Cost of transportation and fuel
• Environmental matters

UPS solved most of its problems by making 90% right turns.

Do you run a logistics company or a delivery business? Then you are in charge of several automobiles and drivers. To become as efficient as possible in your work, you need an efficient solution to the vehicle routing problem.

The best way to solve it is to use a route optimization tool. Such tools leverage algorithms to determine the best routes for your vehicles.

Using software programs or telematics devices, you can pinpoint efficient routes quickly, reduce costs & travel time, and save gas.

How do you optimize your own routes?

Route optimization gets easier and simpler with route optimization systems.

Routing software and/or devices help you plan routes quickly and efficiently. They let you consider the distance, drop-off locations, traffic patterns, and delivery times.

Routing solutions even help you reduce costs by helping you locate the most fuel-efficient routes and reducing the time your drivers spend on the road.

Use Vyncs to save time and money

Vyncs is one of the most powerful and widely-used telematics devices in the USA.

Connect it to the OBD-II port of your car, download the Vyncs mobile app for Android/iOS, and gain access to features like real-time vehicle tracking, geofencing, vehicle maintenance information, driver scoring, driver safety, fuel management, and more.

Vyncs even allows you to save money on taxes, get 24/7 roadside assistance, and connect smart devices, such as Amazon Alexa and smartwatches.

Non-profit organizations such as advocacy groups naturally have huge pools of on-field employees. These organizations are almost always cash-strapped. But they still plan to do more with little. Their aim is to provide for the community or serve various businesses.

These non-profit firms often have small fleets of dedicated vehicles with fleet GPS trackers installed. Just like any part of the organization, these vehicles also must run productively, safely, and cost-effectively. That is the only way a non-profit organization with an in-house fleet of vehicles can remain within their set budgets.

Tackling the primary challenges by investing in tech solutions such as Vyncs fleet GPS tracker can help non-profit organizations get maximum ROI.

Non-profit firms tackle quite a few challenges by using GPS trackers for fleet vehicles. But before discussing them, let us take a look at what happens when a non-profit organization doesn’t use trackers.

What happens when non-profit organizations do not use fleet GPS trackers?

• Manual tracking of driver destinations and vehicle locations is extremely difficult for non-profit organizations.
• Non-profit organizations cannot streamline the efficiency of their fleet if they do not use telematics. Furthermore, without fleet GPS systems, non-profit organizations can forget about improving their customer service or making prompt progressive decisions.
• Without solutions like Vyncs fleet GPS trackers, non-profit organizations can forget about separating inefficient routes to save on fuel costs. Real-time GPS tracking also allows a non-profit organization to have vehicles on call whenever needed.
• Non-profit organizations that do not track their fleet vehicles, cannot keep their drivers from the turf(s) of their competitors. This can lead to unethical competition and turf wars!
• Non-profit organizations cannot easily plan efficient routes when they do not use modern telematics solutions like the Vyncs fleet tracking system.

Challenges that are tackled by a non-profit organization by using fleet trackers

Now, let’s take a look at the challenges that a non-profit organization can solve by using the best fleet GPS tracker.

Keeping drivers safe and enforcing good driving habits

Instances of rash driving can be minimized by using the Vyncs fleet tracker. Modern trackers send notifications to sub-fleet managers whenever the driver accelerates or brakes hard. On top of this, modern trackers can also send notifications whenever the vehicle is involved in an accident.

To sum it all up, using a Vyncs fleet tracking device can allow a non-profit organization to keep its drivers safe. Furthermore, the overall reputation and brand image of a non-profit organization can also be kept intact with fleet trackers.

Reducing operational costs

Non-profit organizations, most of the time, run on tight budgets. Hence, finding ways to reduce operational costs is one of the primary objectives of most, if not all non-profit organizations.

Modern fleet GPS trackers monitor fuel expenses as well as fuel usage by using smart algorithms.

Operational costs go up for an organization when its fleet vehicles break down often. The costs can also go up when maintenance schedules are not made efficiently.

Non – profit organizations should use fleet trackers.

Why?

Well, fleet trackers allow an organization to leverage telematics to track and schedule preventative maintenance of fleet vehicles.

Operational costs can be reduced when fleet vehicles take the shortest and quickest route for deliveries and pickups. The best telematics solutions come with route planning features suitable for avoiding restricted roads and traffic.

Access to proof of services offered

Non-profit organizations often provide services such as pick-ups or drop-offs of donated articles. To make sure that the clients the organization serves are satisfied, it is essential to gather proof of services rendered.

Paper-based proofs of services rendered are unreliable and pretty challenging to track. Using Vyncs GPS tracker for fleet vehicles to record client signatures, photographs of delivered goods, etc., is a better option.

Don’t you agree?

Fleet Trackers Help Non-Profit Organizations In Many Ways

Non-profit organizations come face to face with numerous challenges. If you are in charge of a fleet of vehicles that work for such a firm, you need fleet trackers. And no other tracker is better than a Vyncs fleet tracking device!

Operating a fleet business during the holidays isn't easy. It requires precise management and planning. Fleet managers should avoid making certain mistakes. One of them is failing to have adequate drivers and vehicles at their disposal. Only with excess drivers and vehicles, the increased demand of the holiday season can be met.

Accurate forecasts during the planning process can be made using telematics. The management should schedule vehicle maintenance to ensure all are in perfect condition to cater to the high demands.

Furthermore, clear communication with the drivers concerning schedules and expectations is mandatory. It's the best way to avoid misunderstandings and ensure operational transparency. Finally, companies should have a contingency plan to manage unforeseen situations affecting operations.

Multiple scheduling issues can pop up during the holidays. Fortunately, there are easy and effective strategies to streamline operations when the demand increases. This post will highlight some of them.

Read on!

Managing driver vacations during the holidays

The season to take a break is almost here. During this time, people do all they can to spend time with friends and family. That's why fleets must balance vacations among drivers to ensure they don't miss their chance. The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for fleet managers. Hence, keeping tabs on drivers taking days off during this period by using a Vyncs no monthly fee fleet tracker is crucial. Otherwise, it will be impossible to run business-critical operations smoothly.

Consider and honor every vacation coming from your drivers. Don't forget to create plans together. Inform the rest of your fleet drivers about who are taking holidays. This policy ensures everyone knows where their colleagues are. If there's an office calendar, fleet managers should clearly label each driver's holidays and ensure adequate staffing at all times.

Strategies to operate your fleet efficiently during the holidays

There are several strategies to ensure your fleet operates without hiccups during the holidays. Some of the most effective strategies are mentioned in the sections below.

Planning early

A fleet management plan should be created before the holiday season knocks on your door!

The plan should include –

• Preventative vehicle maintenance
• Preparing the fleet vehicles for the winter
• Checking the batteries of the fleet vehicles, etc.

With a comprehensive plan like the one above, every vehicle in your fleet would be prepared for the holiday rush. Furthermore preparing the fleet vehicles for the winter would keep help you avoid delayed deliveries.

Keeping the batteries of your fleet vehicles in their prime condition is important. With a prime condition battery, you fleet driver would not use Vyncs fleet RSA feature frequently.

Cross-training

Cross-training in multiple areas can help drivers complete pending work when their colleagues fall sick. This simple step also ensures the fleet runs smoothly come what may. For the best results, fleet managers should use Vyncs Optimized vehicle tracking solutions to weed out idle vehicles and add them to active duty.

Clear communication

Communication is critical to any operation, particularly during a busy holiday schedule. Knowing what to expect from drivers regarding driver routes, vehicle needs, time off, and more will ensure operational smoothness.

Be ready to face unexpected circumstances by using Vyncs Remote monitoring solutions and sort out unexpected issues on the fly. Lost time and emergency preparedness can be enhanced with modern fleet management solutions.

Using a tracker

Fleet management technology such as Vyncs fleet tracking systems is OBD-II compliant. Track your fleet vehicles with Vyncs trackers for vehicles. Keep your fleet from trespassing into the turfs of your rivals with Vyncs Geo-fencing for fleet control.

Integrating the best fleet tracking device in a fleet during the holiday season can help prepare your business for the holiday season. In short, fleet GPS tracking systems help businesses and logistics companies make timely deliveries during the holiday chaos.

Follow a comprehensive vehicle maintenance plan

So you have made a detailed schedule for your drivers this holiday season?

Have you come up with a maintenance plan for your fleet vehicles as well?

Neglecting fleet maintenance is bad business. Keep the relationships with your customers strong even during the chaotic holiday season by using best fleet GPS tracking systems.

How?

Using connected vehicle solutions like GPS tracking for fleet will help you keep your delivery vans in their prime condition. With everything beneath the hood running as they should, delayed or failed deliveries will be in the past. The result will be that your brand will convey the message that it cares for its customers.

Use a GPS fleet tracker and make sure all your delivery vehicles are maintained regularly. You can also use GPS tracker for fleet vehicles to ensure worn out parts are replaced and not repaired.

Fleet trackers and accompanying connected vehicle solutions can also be used to track whether vehicle ECU error codes have been cleared or not.

Manage fleet vehicles and drivers seamlessly with connected vehicle solutions

Seasonal fleet upkeep and scheduling drivers during the holidays go hand in hand. Managing both tasks effortlessly requires technological interventions such as Vyncs GPS trackers for fleet vehicles. To know more, explore our website and read about our products.

It's as if managing drivers and staff members isn't challenging enough for fleet managers - they also have to deal with the daily responsibilities. To be precise, these people always have more than enough on their plates to deal with, including buying new vehicles, scheduling maintenance, controlling fuel costs, ensuring compliance with government rules and regulations, and developing safety programs. They must do these and more while attempting to increase efficiency and profitability and staying within established budgets.

With so many responsibilities to juggle, the logistics aspect tends to become complex, and due to this complexity, mistakes are inevitable. These errors can frustrate the management teams and employees while being costly and time-consuming.

How do you prevent making these mistakes in your fleet operation? First, you need to acknowledge the mistakes.

Let's look at some of the most common mistakes of fleet managers and the best ways of preventing them.

Improper route planning

Route inefficiency leads to fuel and time wastage and delayed deliveries. Telematics technology makes it easy to plan the most efficient routes, track the routes, and even modify them, which, in turn, leads to significant savings in fuel and time. It can even make customers happy and compel them to stay with you in the long run.

Gaps in communication

Bringing every employee on the same page means eliminating jumbled messages, regardless of the roles played. Considering this fact, managers must hold staff meetings regularly with the whole team to review priorities and goals, high-level items, and company news. Managers should also schedule one-on-one meetings regularly between employees and their overseers to encourage open communication and feedback. Doing so provides workers with a voice and makes them feel important. At the same time, the fleet itself can be made more efficient. How?

By making fleet drivers use efficient vehicle route planning features available with the latest fleet trackers. In this way, meeting deadlines will become easy. At the same time, failed or delayed deliveries will be a thing of the past.

Not adhering to preventative maintenance schedules

Not conducting routine maintenance will cost you in the long run due to downtime from breakdowns. However, you can use a telematics tool, such as a fleet GPS tracker, which can notify you when maintenance is due. It can support you in keeping maintenance schedules on track. Certain GPS trackers offer scheduling features to help optimize your fleet schedules. In short, GPS trackers help enhance the productivity of your fleet and your fleet drivers.

Not enough training

Never assume your employees are capable of doing more than they know. It becomes a costly assumption sooner rather than later. Your organizational performance depends on them.

Therefore, take the necessary steps to make your employees the best they can be. Correct training such as making fleet drivers understand primary GPS mapping software benefits should be made mandatory.

Provide your employees with training programs and ongoing education. This will ensure your fleet drivers are familiar with vehicle health monitoring solutions thereby enhancing the overall productivity of your fleet.

Wrong decisions in outsourcing

Many businesses lack the internal resources to cover all areas of responsibilities, which makes outsourcing necessary. One must be cautious and think deeply about what to outsource or retain.

Outsourcing the wrong tasks will prove to be costly and drain productivity. The best thing to do is to outsource cheaper administrative and clerical chores and keep all higher-level core tasks in-house. Additionally, using efficient fleet management solutions like geo-fencing controls for enhanced security can help a business keep its fleet vehicles safe. How?

For instance, if your business runs an armored vehicle fleet, you would not need to outsource security service for the vehicles. Just use geo-fences to keep your vehicles out of high-risk routes. At the same time, you can keep your armored vehicles away from the turfs of your aggressive rivals.

Forgiving repeat offenders

Indeed, everyone deserves a second chance, but you will make a costly mistake if you let making mistakes become the rule. How much you like an employee personally doesn't matter. You need to cut them loose if their performance drops below par constantly. The best solution is to avoid exceptions since one usually leads to another. For the best results, use trackers offering features like real-time reporting for fleet managers. In this way, you will be able to weed out inefficient drivers and repeat offenders.

Recruitment mistakes

Sometimes, people hire recruits as it seems to be the only solution, especially if their company is understaffed. Then again, this strategy affects the morale and productivity of the existing team.

After all, one bad apple spoils the entire bunch because this new employee may be uncooperative or ineffective.

Hiring decisions will become much more effective when resumes are reviewed and then interviews are set. Remember to check references and be sure to keep the recruitment effort organized. Taking the time and putting in the effort is required to hire quality employees.

Sharing excess information

The best step is to keep things simple in the regular reports that are sent to upper management. Don't include unnecessary data and details that you get from devices like a Vyncs fleet GPS module. Just focus on the primary takeaways. If you do that, you will save time for anyone who has to read your report. Additionally, the more info you include in the report, the more the readers have to dissect and fix any mistakes or errors.

No innovation, change, or adaptation

You get the opposite of what you hope to achieve if you don't embrace change. The same thing occurs when one fails to create new solutions to keep the fleet business running. Technology improvements happen almost daily. For instance, these days fleet managers reduce downtime through telematics and actionable intelligence. Staying aware of new solutions like a Vyncs fleet vehicle tracker and software available will readily benefit your fleet business.

Policy enforcement

The most successful fleet businesses have clear-cut policies containing rules all employees must follow. A successful policy such as using Vyncs GPS vehicle tracking must be a live document that should be updated whenever the fleet needs change. Failing to create and enforce this policy may increase costs and jeopardize safety. If you don't have one, you must develop it immediately. If you have one, make sure every employee knows and follows it. Update it whenever necessary. A fleet policy is a pocket-friendly initiative with multiple benefits for fleet managers.

Trackers make the lives of fleet managers easy

Managing fleet vehicles is never easy. A few mistakes can cost your business a lot of money and damage its reputation. All of this can be avoided by fleet managers by using Vyncs fleet vehicle tracking devices. Vyncs fleet tracker, for example, supports multiple vehicles. Additionally, you will be notified with new GPS data every sixty seconds. In this way, you can track fuel costs, facilitate custom dispatch management, etc. In a nutshell, fleet management gets easy with GPS trackers.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) ensures a commercial fleet vehicle and its driver comply traffic as well as safety regulations. How does DOT do this? They run an inspection, of course!

Often, vehicles are scrapped and drivers lose their licenses after DOT inspections. This is why, it is best to prepare for a DOT audit when the time comes. Without preparation, fleet managers cannot escape driver and vehicle downtimes.

When can one expect a DOT inspection?

DOT inspections take place unannounced at any time of the year.

This blog in the following sections will shine a light on what can you expect in a DOT audit. At the same time, some tips on how you can prepare for a DOT audit will also be shared!

Read on to know more.

A few facts about DOT inspections

Fleet vehicles and their drivers must adhere to fleet safety practices at all times. DOT inspections (or audits) are carried out to keep American roads safe. With audits, the DOT identifies fleet vehicles that can cause or are involved in a crash.

What is checked?

The series of tests that a DOT audit usually brings with it, checks the coverall condition of a fleet vehicle. The above-mentioned tests also evaluate the overall skills of a fleet driver.

Who carries out these inspections?

These inspections are carried out by state troopers. The inspections can also be carried out by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance officials.

Where can one expect to be part of a DOT audit?

The DOT audits are often carried out at truck stops, weighing stations, or on the road.

What are the different levels of DOT inspections?

There are six levels of DOT inspections and they look like this –

Level 1 - North American Standard DOT Inspection

This is a common and thorough process that looks for anything out of the ordinary with the fleet vehicle and its driver. The process completes in an hour. The diver would need to present any document that the DOT official demands. The driver’s alcohol/drug abuse history as well as driver behavior records will be scrutinized.

The DOT inspector then will pay a close attention to the following aspects of a commercial vehicle.

1. Seat belts
2. Brakes
3. Fuel systems
4. Steering wheel
5. Tires, hubcaps, and rims
6. Suspension
7. Lights
8. Windshield wipers
9. Coupling devices
10. Cargo securing systems

Level 2 - Walk-Around Driver and Vehicle Inspection

In a Level 2 inspection, the inspector will check under the truck cab and its trailer. The driver will have to produce the documents the official needs. Additionally, the officials will also audit if the driver is abusing illegal substances.

Level 3 - Driver-Only DOT Inspection

DOT officials will only audit the fleet vehicle driver and pays attention to the following.

1. Service hour logs
2. Medical examiner certificate
3. Driver's license
4. Seat belt use
5. Record of Duty status
6. Alcohol and drug use
7. Skill performance evaluation certificate
8. Carrier identification and status

Level 4 - Special DOT Inspection

This DOT inspection is carried out to monitor and track violations that are trending over time.

Level 5 - Vehicle-Only DOT Inspection

These are vehicle-only inspections that focus on the checklist DOT officials follow in Level 1 audits. The driver doesn’t have to be present near the vehicle while the audit is carried out.

Level 6 - NAS Inspection for Radioactive Materials

This audit is designed to analyze trailers that transport radioactive materials. The radioactive cargo will be checked. The driver will receive a special nuclear symbol. The driver will also be instructed to stick the symbol on the vehicle and keep it there till the cargo is delivered.

The most common inspection types

The most common DOT audits are Level 1, 2, or 3. DOT audit levels 4 to 6 are for select cases and are mostly roadside inspections.

How to prepare for DOT inspections?

Before an inspector arrives at the inspection site, they may ask you to keep any paperwork regarding compliance issues at hand. You should keep documents like vehicle & driver registration, insurance documents, etc. handy.

Other documents that you might be asked to produce are as follows.

1. Advanced user list
2. Malfunction report
3. Violations report
4. Personal conveyance report
5. Unassigned logs report
6. Hiring documentation and disciplinary action
7. Accident register
8. Edit report
9. List of hazardous materials
10. Driver's medical certificates

What to expect next?

After analyzing all the papers, the auditor might take a closer look at drivers who have been in accidents or have HOS violations. The auditor might also ask for printouts of the driver's logs for further analysis.

After all of the above steps concludes the fleet will be issued a compliance review report. The report would pinpoint areas of concern and will also contain recommendations that can improve performance and DOT compliance. After all, the objective of FMCSA is to ensure trucks operate safely. This means an auditor will actively search for ongoing issues affecting on-road safety.

Which tips can help you easily tackle a DOT inspection?

The following tips will help ensure your drivers and vehicles are ready for DOT inspections.

A clean workspace

Cleaning the workspace does not mean cleaning the inside of the fleet vehicle. You must tend to the exterior of semi trucks too. In this way, you showcase your professionalism and ensure longer equipment life.

Being more organized

Motivate your drivers to keep their papers ready. Make sure that they are presenting the documents in an organized manner.

Prioritize the driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIR)

Making sure your drivers assess the vehicles you assign to them before and after trips. This will help keep your entire team of fleet drivers vigilant. Cultivate the habit of handling maintenance issues the moment they pop up in your fleet drivers. In this way every DOT inspection will not only be efficient but also smooth.

Digitization

Reducing paperwork is now mandatory. Having access to all necessary documents in digital format make DOT audits smooth for all involved.

Fleet management technology

Using a fleet GPS tracker or other fleet vehicle management systems will ensure proper optimization and streamlining of your fleet business for DOT inspections. Fleet management solutions can flag maintenance issues, monitor driver safety, and more from one place.

Easily pass a DOT inspection today!

Using a GPS tracking solution like Vyncs can help streamline Department of Transportation inspections. All data concerning vehicles and drivers will be available in one open platform you can access via your mobile phone.

If you pay attention to the information accumulated by top ranking fleet management solutions such as a Vyncs device and presented through the mobile app, you can take measures to ensure your drivers adhere to the rules of the road and conduct timely maintenance. Check out our products to learn more.

With fall here and winter right around the corner, folks across the country will be preparing for the holiday season! This means more cars on the roads. Managing the heavy traffic from hundreds and thousands of other travelers on Thanksgiving Day will be challenging. However, thoughtful planning and incorporating a few practical strategies will ensure the holiday season becomes a fun time.

When not to drive on Thanksgiving?

Heaviest Thanksgiving traffic hits the roads on evenings, usually around 4-5 PM. These are the times when travelers mix with the usual rush-hour traffic.

Significant peaks in national traffic also occur in the afternoons. So, if you plan to travel on Thanksgiving Day, be weary of the busiest times in the afternoons. Plan your trips in the morning or after 6 PM to avoid the worst situation.

On your way back, you will probably get more breathing room but don't forget about Black Friday. There will inevitably be traffic jams here and there, between noon and 4 PM, possibly on Friday.

Locations with the worst traffic

Some of the biggest metropolitan cities, particularly Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago, experience peak traffic during Thanksgiving. The afternoons are the most hectic for traffic in these cities, along with Chicago, Boston, Houston, Detroit, Seattle, and San Francisco.

You should avoid I-278 in New York, as the traffic is usually worse than usual. In Los Angeles, avoid driving on I-5 south. Take I-405 south instead, as traffic typically increases. Residents of Atlanta should consider alternatives to I-85 south as it encounters more traffic than usual during Thanksgiving.

What makes the roads dangerous?

Despite being a one-day event, Thanksgiving is a five-day-holiday weekend for most Americans. You will probably get on board with it, even if you are not planning anything now. Then again, multiple factors unique to Thanksgiving make this time of the year turbulent for drivers.

Here are some reasons why you should avoid driving on Thanksgiving –

• Americans loves to drive. The average American drives more than 50 miles during the Thanksgiving holiday. Now, it is no news that driving long distances is monotonous. When driving becomes monotonous and there is a lot of traffic to maneuver through, mistakes will happen and accidents may occur.
• The day after Thanksgiving is when businesses offer their products and services at heavy discounts. It is natural for malls and retail centers to be overcrowded. Parking lots of businesses will generally be overcrowded. The days after Thanksgiving are notorious for increased parking-related vehicle accidents. Compared to claims made in other days of the year, parking-related accidents increase after Thanksgiving.
• Avoid driving on Thanksgiving Eve since the roads will be filled with drivers driving under the influence. Restaurants and bars offer food as well as drinks at discounted rates. Hence, people meeting up at these establishments will tend to fill themselves up with discounted food as well as drinks. Most of these people will choose to drive instead of taking the cab. Hence, driving between 8 PM and 3 AM the night or early morning before Thanksgiving is not safe.

How to avoid accidents on Thanksgiving?

Being a day of fun, good food, and even better company, driving on Thanksgiving can be safer than ever. Just follow the tips mentioned below and you or your loved ones driving your car should be fine.

• Avoid drinking and driving - If you are going to celebrate and exceed your usual alcohol consumption limit, make alternate transportation arrangements first. If your teen takes the car out on Thanksgiving night, make sure to equip it with a Vyncs GPS tracker for car. In this way, you can track how your teen drives the vehicle. No hurrying or rushing - Most people know that the most common cause of vehicle accidents is speeding. Even if you are late to a family gathering, drive cautiously, slowly, and responsibly. Don't you think it is better to get there late than not arriving at all because of an accident?
• Use a Vyncs OBD2 tracker and its accompanying app to plan your route. In this way, you can prepare yourself to tackle heavy traffic. At the same time, you can use the app accompanying the vehicle tracking device to find alternate routes to your destination.
• If you manage the fleet of your business, instruct your fleet drivers to take frequent breaks. Use fleet management solutions like a Vyncs fleet vehicle tracking device and monitor your fleet drivers for the best results.
• Avoid distracted driving. Instruct your loved ones to stop using their smartphone while driving. If you manage the fleet of your business, instruct your fleet drivers to stop blasting the stereo as they make deliveries. Distracted driving leads to fatalities.

Track your vehicle and stay safe this Thanksgiving

In the end, consider installing a GPS tracker for your car. How will it benefit you? Well, it can tell you how your car is being driven. You will know how your teenager is driving the family car. Fleet managers, you can ensure that your drivers are not taking the fleet vehicles to your rival’s turf. Do you have plans to take a long road trip with your loved ones? A tracker with road side assistance feature can be handy especially if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Installing a tracker in your vehicle has many benefits. Use it to know more!

Buying a car is not an easy task. It is daunting, to say the least. However there are ways to make the experience a pleasant one. You will read about the processes of making the purchase right here so that the endeavor is easy for you.

So what should you keep in mind while buying a car?

Stay in your budget

How much do you want to spend on a car?

Some people will come up with a budget they want to spend, while others will opt for monthly payments. Both options are good, but you must consider the additional expenses that you have to bear every month.

Things like fuel, maintenance, and auto insurance can accumulate quickly. Not taking these additional ownership costs into account is one of the biggest mistakes in buying a car. So, don't fidget with your budget!

Setting an upper price limit and sticking to it is one of the most crucial factors when purchasing a car.

Very few can hold a candle to car dealerships when it comes to squeezing out a few extra bucks of a sale. If you choose to pay $300/month, dealerships will try to talk you into paying $375/month. Don't fall for it. You will not like the feeling of waking up one month later wondering why you agreed to pay 25% more.

Finally, try to make your purchase conservative. Housing and transportation contribute to an individual's largest monthly expenses. Holding the reins on these two can give you enough room in your budget to meet other obligations.

Financing the car

If you need recommendations, people who own cars suggest saving money for a car and paying for it in cash. They say that the best vehicle is the one that does not have any pending payments.

Getting out of car loans is never easy, especially if you choose to buy one without making a down payment. Being an informed consumer is mandatory for those who decide to get a loan.

If you need a loan, get pre-approved from your credit union or current bank before buying. Now, some dealerships send potential customer info to several financial institutions, which will analyze the buyer's credit reports multiple times. This is especially true for those with imperfect credit scores.

Prioritize loans in the three-to-five-year range. Most folks don't keep vehicles longer than five years. You probably would not want to trade or sell a car with a loan on its back.

The interest rates of vehicle loans will vary on several factors. Lenders would take a look at your credit report, credit score, current debt and the type of car.

Know your credit score before you head to the dealership or shop for a loan. Doing so will tell you whether you will get approval for a loan and if the interest rates will be payable. There are several online platforms where you can check your credit score for free.

Choosing the right car

Finding the right vehicle has become easier than it used to be, thanks to the internet. There are various websites for this purpose. The internet also simplifies the search for the best deals. Additionally, you can contact dealerships directly to know the prices of your favorite car.

Negotiation

There is no other way to say this - negotiating is difficult.

Due to the internet, vehicle dealerships are competing fiercely, and this competition further worsens negotiations.

The thing about vehicle pricing is that it is always more complex than the sticker price. Standard fees, such as title, tax, license, and other potential fees may differ from state to state.

Some of these payments are mandatory, while others are customary and may be negotiable. Understandably, you must compare apples to apples when comparing car prices.

An out-the-door value will let you compare the rates charged by other dealers. Some may refuse to give you this information via email. If that happens, visit the dealership directly.

Finalizing the paperwork

It is a crucial part of buying a car and is often understated. You must read everything thoroughly before signing along the dotted line. Also, make sure the paperwork seems legitimate. If you buy from a private party, acquire a bill of sale.

Avoid the pricey upgrades

Car dealers usually sell pricey upgrades, such as tires, wheel replacements, window etchings, undercarriage coating, upholstery protection, and more. Most of this stuff is overpriced. In reality, these things can contribute to a bulk of your purchase price - sometimes more than $1,000. The truth, however, is that these components rarely offer value to buyers. In short, you should avoid paying for these upgrades.

Going forward

As you can see, buying a car is not easy, even if you are ready to go down this road. As they say, knowledge is power. So it is good to learn as much about the process as possible, as well as the car you want. Additionally, you must understand the average prices and experience the venture with an open mind.

The internet let consumers have access to a treasure trove of knowledge, which simplifies price comparisons and finding the best deals. As the buyer, you should look at a car as a commodity. Exceptions are rare. However you should be able to find a comparable vehicle at a comparable price at one of the many dealerships.

Once you get your car, you will probably want to keep your asset and its drivers safe. For that, you need Vyncs! It is one of the best GPS tracker for vehicles you can find right now. Additionally, vehicle tracking devices let car owners have peace of mind.

The U.S. Department of Transport claims the country has about 276 million registered cars, with around 91% of households owning at least one vehicle and almost 58% having two or more.

Cars are a massive investment, only next in rank to a house. However, it only takes a few minutes for your hard work and money to go down the drain. Instances of car theft are on the rise, which means you can lose your automobile to carjackers within moments.

One foolproof way of protecting your vehicle is to use a GPS vehicle tracker. These gadgets can track a car's real-time position and let you see its location at any time. GPS devices ensure vehicle safety, but these are capable of doing a lot more.

Car tracking solutions are a staple for businesses with vehicle fleets. In reality, these devices form the backbone of fleet management. Then again, these are not overlooked by regular consumers, either. After all, caregivers and parents of senior drivers and teen drivers would want to know the on-road behavior and trip history of the person behind the wheel to ensure the safety of their loved ones. These devices can also point out maintenance faults and requirements.

What can GPS trackers do?

A car tracking device can be battery-powered or OBD-II compliant. Once you connect it to your car, it will use Global Positioning System technology to pinpoint the vehicle's exact location.

Depending on the device, there may be other features you can tinker with. Yes, OBD-II tracking solutions are capable of monitoring vehicle health, gauging driver performance, keeping track of speed, and sending alerts if the car has been tampered with.

In other words, a tracking device has other surprising uses than just giving you the location of your car in real-time.

Five surprising uses of vehicle trackers

1. Vehicle security

Over 748,000 cars are stolen daily in the USA. In many instances, carjackers don't need to break in or hotwire the automobile because, surprisingly, the owners leave the keys or key fob inside.

As a result, the car becomes an easy target. If the device is in the car even after the vehicle is stolen, you can provide law enforcement with its location and increase the likelihood of retrieving it.

2. Teen driver monitoring

Parents, quite naturally, worry about the safety of their teenagers when they drive. Lack of adequate experience combined with a greater likelihood of speeding contributes to accidents - the leading cause of teen death in America. Parents may also wonder where their kids are if they are late.

For newly licensed teen drivers, GPS trackers can provide trip statistics to help parents monitor driving and address any problems they notice.

3. Fleet management

Fleet management is not easy. Thankfully, the technology incorporated in a GPS tracker for vehicles can simplify your work. These devices allow fleet managers to monitor the entire fleet through their smartphones and computers and communicate with their drivers.

4. Insurance premium reduction

Businesses with vehicle fleets require insurance. This insurance covers automotive damage and theft by compensating the fleet manager when one or more vehicles are stolen by carjackers.

Insurance firms usually charge hefty premiums to provide theft coverage. However, they also offer worthwhile discounts for automobiles with tracking systems installed. After all, such a solution ensures easy recovery of stolen vehicles.

You must set up tracking systems for your entire fleet if you hope to save money every year. Additionally, it lets you avoid the hassle of going back and forth searching for compensation should you lose your automobile to carjackers.

5. Maintenance and diagnostics

Timely and proper maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicles in perfect condition and increasing longevity. Then again, it can be challenging to keep track of maintenance schedules if you manage a large fleet or for a busy individual.

A modern GPS tracker for a car can offer routine diagnostics. You receive comprehensive details on your automobile's condition. They also alert you if you encounter an issue with a specific part.

This feature will ensure that you keep your car or business vehicle fleet in pristine condition at all times. You will also save a significant sum of money on repairs as your car will not break down as often.

Wrapping it up

The number of ways businesses and individuals use GPS devices is growing rapidly. As humanity continues to seek out ways of improving transportation and communication, the GPS vehicle tracker has become a crucial tool for everyone.

Connected vehicle solutions don't just allow businesses to locate their fleets in real time and monitor driver behavior but also allow consumers to keep their vehicles in top-notch condition and get help during emergencies.

Such is the power of Vyncs!

Just think about it - you are sitting in your car on the side of a road where the streetlight above you is not working or blinking constantly. You are about to leave when the door opens, and a gun appears in front of your face.

Someone yells at you to get out of the car.

Your car is being jacked!

Despite being relatively rare, there has been a rise in carjacking events in recent years across the States, which makes it worthwhile to know how to avoid becoming a victim and what to do if you can't avoid the situation.

More and more carjackings

Many people describe carjacking as a “trope from the action movies of the 70s." After all, news channels and papers did not cover many reports on this crime.

However, the current statistics do not lie. According to the latest data, carjacking is rising in many states in the USA. Some cities that reported a significant increase in carjackings in recent years include Memphis, Chicago, Baltimore, Nashville, and New Orleans.

Criminologists and psychologists attempt to theorize why the prevalence of carjackings has been increasing. Vehicles are much harder to steal now, especially when the driver is not around. Modern cars are equipped with anti-theft technology or a car GPS tracker and will start only with a keyfob. Stealing a parked car has become a tedious, time-consuming, and dangerous task for regular offenders and would-be thieves. Hotwiring is no longer an option. Therefore, instead of targeting parked, unoccupied automobiles, criminals aim for already running cars and force drivers at gunpoint. It is much faster and easier than stealing the old-fashioned way.

Understanding carjackings

Now that the rate of carjackings have increased, how do you avoid becoming a victim?

The first step is to educate yourself about carjacking. You must know where carjackers operate and how this crime typically goes down so that you can plan on how to avoid such situations.

• Carjackings are rampant in high crime areas, but they are happening in safer and wealthier parts of the country too.
• Carjackers are opportunists. They watch out for the right moment. For starters, they operate at night and in dark areas. Intersections and parking lots with poor lighting are their favorite spots. However, it does not mean they avoid driveways or gated community entrances.
• Carjackers usually strike precisely when a person enters the vehicle.
• 92% of these events happen when the victim is in the car alone.
• 90% of these events involve weapons, typically firearms.
• Carjackers are usually aged below 21.

Do not become a victim

Here are a few factors that make people vulnerable to this crime. Being familiar with them will ensure you can prepare appropriately and adequately.

Start by maintaining situational awareness. Keep your eyes peeled and scan your surroundings, look for anything out of place in the environment, and be ready to handle the situation if something goes wrong. Remember - situational awareness is not about being paranoid. It is only about staying in a state of calm attentiveness.

Look for populated and brightly lit parking spots. As you already know, carjackers are opportunists. They will steal only if they believe they can get away with it, and a clean getaway is possible if there is no one around and it is dark. Make sure carjackers do not get this opportunity. Park your vehicle in brightly lit and populated locations. Do not park close to large objects, walls, or big vans, as they block an onlooker's view. Try to park where you and your car will be visible to many people.

Move purposefully. Carjackers usually target drivers who appear vulnerable or distracted. When you walk towards your car, be aware of your surroundings. Look around and inside while scanning the front and back seats. The moment you climb in the driver's seat, lock the doors and start driving. Avoid fiddling with your phone or the infotainment systems. Stick to the same rules when getting out of the car. Once you stop, get out and start moving to your destination. The more time you spend inside the car, the more time you give a carjacker to make a move.

Doors and windows closed. Your objective should be to make things as difficult for carjackers as possible. If you keep the doors or windows open, carjackers will definitely target you. Therefore, the moment you enter your vehicle, lock the doors. Try to make it a habit. Yes, rolling the windows down on a lovely spring day is irresistible, but you must resist that temptation, particularly in high-crime regions of the town.

New models have a feature that locks the doors automatically when the driver starts the car. It is recommended that you turn on this feature so you don't have to think about locking the doors after entering.

Avoid traveling alone in dangerous spots. About 92% of carjacking victims were alone in their cars when the crime happened. Of course, you can't travel with a friend every time in your car, but make sure you have someone when you know you will be passing through a dangerous part of town. Carjackers are opportunists, as mentioned several times. If you have a passenger, the carjacker will be outnumbered, which, in turn, will diminish their possibility of robbing you and leaving.

The tires should be visible. If you are stopped in your car, ensure the tires are visible. Doing so puts enough space between you and the vehicle in front to steer and drive away if a carjacker attempts to rob you. Also, create a plan every time you have to stop at a signal light. You should know where you must go if you choose to drive away.

There is an underhanded strategy criminals often use to rob drivers of their cars. It is called “bump and run," where the perpetrator, accompanied by an accomplice, will bump their vehicle into the rear of your car. This forces you to think you are involved in an accident, so you get out to check the damage and discuss insurance. At that moment, the perpetrator will threaten you and steal your automobile. The carjacker will vanish with your car, the accomplice will drive away in the one that bumped into you, and you will be stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Always try to pull your car over into a well-lit and populated location if you get rear-ended. You need as many people to see you as possible. If you don't see a good place to stop, keep driving with the flashers on. In doing so, you will know that the person who bumped you is an average citizen following you and waiting for you to stop. If you have a reason to believe the bumper is a carjacker, contact the police and stay inside with the doors and windows locked and rolled up until they respond to your distress call.

What to do in the situation

Regardless of all precautionary measures, you may run into a desperado who points a gun at your head and yells at you to get out of the car. What will you do then?

Hand it over. Carjackers usually don't want anything from the driver other than the car. So, hand it over. Your life is more valuable than your car because they are replaceable, but you aren't.

Evacuate the children. Those who have kids in their vehicles should get them out first. Never let a carjacker get behind the wheel as long as the children are inside. Just tell the perpetrator they can take the vehicle, but they must allow you to get the kids out - pronto! Tell your kids to exit the car and move as far away as possible if they are old enough. However, if they can't get out alone, turn around to the backseat and pull them out.

NEVER get in the car with them. If the carjacker demands you move over, stay inside with them, or reenter the vehicle after they take the driver's seat, do everything in your power to avoid complying. The criminal may possibly attempt to take you to another “crime scene" - a place you don't want to go. These places are hidden from the public where criminals do despicable things to their victims. Crime studies show that a victim's chances of survival drop once they reach a second crime scene. So if the carjacker demands you get inside the car with them or stay inside as they try to take the wheel, try to resist. Your life depends on it.

Gain control of whatever weapon your attacker has and unleash violence on them. Keep pepper gel or foam and use it as the first line of defense. Avoid pepper spray as it can mist back on you. You need something that you can shoot directly on the criminal, and the projectile should stay on them.

Be vigilant

The best way to prevent an attack is avoidance. Depend on your judgment to assess the situation and possible reactions. Familiarize yourself with safe areas to go to during emergencies, and always carry phones or a radio. Non-confrontation is usually the best response, but it does not always work. In any case, your objective should be to survive and not thwart the crime.

Consider using a vehicle tracking device no monthly fee too. It has already proven to be an excellent investment for families and businesses. We can keep you, your family, and your business safe. Get in touch with us to find out more about how we help our customers.

Sources:

1. https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/manly-know-how/what-to-do-in-carjacking/
2. https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/19782.htm
3. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/heres-what-to-do-if-youre-being-carjacked-how-to-prevent-it/2555546/
4. https://safety1stdriversed.com/2015/03/what-to-do-if-someone-tries-to-carjack-you/
5. https://wjla.com/news/local/7news-on-your-side-as-carjacking-cases-rise-how-to-avoid-them-what-to-do-if-threatened
6. https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/carjacking-what-to-do-safety-tips

In 2022, some of the lawmakers of the country finally chose to end Daylight Saving Time. They have already created the Sunshine Protection Act to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.

Initially, the proposal garnered enough attention and forced people to think about whether it is actually possible to get rid of this scheduling forever. After all, not everyone enjoys dealing with darkness at 4:30 p.m. during the winter and sunless mornings in the spring.

So, what will happen this year? Will Daylight Saving Time end? Or is it going to happen again? Here are the fundamentals.

What is Daylight Saving Time?

Most of America implements Daylight Saving Time (DST) - the practice of setting the clock forward by an hour when there are more daylight hours. In doing so, the evenings have more daylight, and the mornings have less. There are a few exceptions, such as Arizona, Hawaii, and the overseas territories of Guam, Samoa, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Navajo, however, observes DST in the Navajo Nation. This system started with the establishment of the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

The objective behind this practice is to reduce the time spent by people in “darkness" when the days are shorter. By changing the clock, you get more daylight in spring and summer evenings and more daylight during the early winter mornings. This year, DST ends on 5th November.

Why was this concept implemented?

Created by a British man called William Willet, an advocate of making the most of daylight hours and was mentioned in The Farmer's Almanac, he published a paper in 1907 titled “The Waste of Daylight." In it, he highlighted the idea that you must set the clocks forward when spring or summer starts. You can return to standard time in the fall.

However, this concept took hold only during World War I because, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, changing the clocks to get more “daylight" time helped save power and fuel.

What is the Sunshine Protection Act?

Starting on the second Sunday in March and ending on the first Sunday in November, DST lasts 34 weeks or 238 days, occupying 65% of an entire year. That's why the United States Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, which justifies the permanent activation of DST. However, the U.S. House of Representatives did not approve it.

Two Florida Republicans sponsored the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, aimed at eliminating the need for changing clocks for the winter months. To be precise, the country will no longer lag behind in the winter and will take advantage of a year of DST instead of just eight months, as per Senator Marco Rubio.

Where does it stand now?

Right now, there are no signs of the U.S. Congress passing the Sunshine Protection Act this year. The bill did not get enough support to win a majority vote in the House or Senate, and it did not appeal to the committees, either.

In March 2022, the bill passed the Senate via an unusual process called unanimous consent that does not involve voting. None of the senators objected to the passage of the Sunshine Protection Act upon its introduction. Then again, a companion bill in the House failed to make it out of committee, which prevented the Sunshine Protection Act from becoming a law.

Why is Daylight Saving Time bad?

“Springing ahead" means getting more daylight, but it can have negative effects on the health and overall well-being of a person. Things like sleep deprivation and seasonal affective disorder make DST an unsafe practice.

Sleep deprivation

Considering the fact that sunlight is humanity's primary time cue, it is not surprising that it alters the circadian rhythm or the sleep/wake cycle by moving the clock an hour ahead. It causes an effect similar to the jet lags you experience when traveling to a different time zone. DST may not be as drastic on sleep patterns as traveling across an ocean, but the impact is not as negligible, either. According to researchers from Michigan State University, folks sleep almost 40 minutes less the night after DST starts.

Mental health deterioration

Based on a study conducted in Germany in 2014 and published in the Economics Letters journal, there is a direct connection between the well-being of a person and DST. This effect is compounded in full-time employees associated with various organizations. DST even contributes to suicide rates, as per an Australian study published in Sleep and Biological Rhythms in 2008.

Causing cardiovascular conditions

DST increases the risk of heart attacks or myocardial infarction and strokes. The American Heart Association stated in 2018 that DST contributes to the chances of heart attacks. Another research conducted in Sweden found something similar. The inferences state an average increase of 6.7% in the risk of a heart attack in the three days after DST. The data published in the Open Heart journal in 2014 claimed an increase of heart attacks by 24% on the Monday after DST starts than on any other Mondays throughout the year. Conversely, the same study noted a decrease in heart attacks by 21% on the Tuesday that follows immediately after DST ends.

More workplace injuries

Even if you don't incur injuries at your office, DST may be troublesome for those who do physical labor. A study by the Journal of Applied Psychology in 2009 using mining accident data derived by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health highlights the increase in the possibilities of workplace injuries on Mondays immediately following DST and the severity of the same. Furthermore, the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in 2013 pointed to a rise in the number of injuries in the summer and a decrease in November and December once Americans returned to standard time.

More road accidents

Austin C. Smith, an assistant professor of economics at Miami University, published a paper in 2014 that established the relationship between fatal car crashes and DST, which reported a 6.3% increase in accidents for six days right after changing the clocks in spring. The primary issue of DST is that it interrupts sleeping patterns and modifies the relationship between solar time and clock time. As a result, drivers have to adjust to darker mornings and brighter evenings.

What is the solution?

The last point of the previous section brings us to the crux of the story. You have to put up with it since DST has not been ruled out by the Sunshine Protection Act. To do that, you need to adopt new driving habits. Or, you can try to become more aware of the issue to consciously avoid practices that could make you sleepy. Here are a couple of ways to enhance your safety during these drowsy and dark days.

No alcohol or sleep-inducing medications

Alcohol, sleep-inducing drugs, or a combination of the two can have serious consequences when driving in the dark. Mixing the two will be lethal as they compound your impairment. So, avoid taking a new medicine for the first time when you need to drive.

Recognize the warning signs

Reactions like excessive blinking, yawning, missing an exit, or drifting into another lane prove that your fatigue is catching up with you. Pull over and take a break or a brisk walk if you start experiencing these effects. Exercise wakes you up, after all.

Be wary of the dangers on the road

DST affects all Americans. Many will be sleepy and feeling drowsy due to the sudden change in time when driving, so keep your eyes open for others who may be struggling to stay alert. Also, the sky will get darker as the time will change, which will increase your chances of encountering animals on the road. Deer, for instance, are particularly active in November. So, prepare for that possibility when you drive through areas where wildlife may be present.

Improve your sleeping habits

There are more than enough distractions to keep people up at night right now, thanks to smartphones, video games, etc. If you have to drive, put your gadgets away an hour or two before you go to bed. Seven to eight hours of sleep per night is mandatory.

The takeaway

For everything else, you can always rely on a real time GPS tracker like Vyncs to improve on-the-road safety. A car tracking device like this one gives you peace of mind and eliminates the signs of drowsy driving, such as sudden acceleration, harsh braking, sharp cornering, etc.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has been on strike against the three most recognized auto manufacturers. They are General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis - since September 15th.

It started with 13,000 workers leaving three assembly plants in the Midwest. However, it has expanded into a countrywide labor movement. The worst part is that this happened right when vehicle supply chains were returning to normal.

The real cause

So, why did the UAW go on strike?

It did so, hoping to negotiate better wages and improve job security for its members. The first demand of the UAW is an increase in wages by approximately 40%.

Citing old instances of inflation, the $21 billion in collective profit for the three auto brands, and ever-rising CEO pay, the UAW reasons that this payment increment is mandatory to the lives of its members and feasible for the said vehicle brands. The Big Three (three brands combined) agreed to offer a hike of 20%, which the union rejected.

Furthermore, the UAW wants to reinstate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs).

During the financial crisis (2008), which led the USA to get off the backs of Chrysler and GM for $17 billion, these workers gave up all protections. Today, the union wants all the inflation countermeasures reestablished to protect the members from every economic turbulence of the future.

In September, GM, Ford, and Stellantis gave COLA proposals to the UAW, but the union dismissed all. In fact, the president of UAW, Shawn Fain, was highly skeptical when he expressed his thoughts about the Big Three's proposals.

Latest updates

22nd September 2023

5,600 UAW workers from 38 parts distribution centers of General Motors and Stellantis joined the strike group. This incident pressurized the nation's largest domestic auto manufacturers further into complying with the union's demands.

29th September 2023

Around 6,900 workers from Ford's Chicago and General Motors' Delta Township manufacturing plants join forces with the agitators. Almost 25,200 employees, or 17% of UAW members covered by expired contracts with the Big Three, are now part of the strike.

11th October 2023

UAW workers shut down Ford's biggest plant and stopped production of pickup trucks with little warning, in a sharp escalation of the four-week targeted strike against the Detroit Three automakers.

The result of the strike

Now that the Big Three has reduced the production of vehicles and parts, fleet businesses need to prepare to face higher prices and extended delivery times. Both domestic and global supply chains are still recovering from the disruptions suffered during the pandemic. In such a situation, only a few active manufacturing plants will not help prices and availability return to normal quickly.

Of course, an increase in prices and delays in orders will not be as drastic as the circumstances faced by fleets during the pandemic.

Currently, the UAW coordinates work stoppages at designated locations operated by GM, Ford, and Stellantis. It means that instead of stopping or impeding production, these brands are still manufacturing vehicles and parts.

So, if the UAW sticks to this strategy, fleet managers will likely have to pay more and wait longer when obtaining automobiles and spares, but not in large quantities.

That being said, the repercussions will be severe if the current strike escalates further.

Options for fleet managers

If the strike affects the supply significantly, fleet managers will inevitably see some of the vehicle procurement problems that were rampant during the pandemic. As the only way to compensate, you may need to hold onto the automobiles in your fleet longer than you initially planned. In other words, you must extend the life of your aging vehicles.

Keep tabs on DVIRs

Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) form the first line of defense to safeguard fleet vehicles from costly breakdowns. A GPS fleet tracker that can analyze the condition of an automobile via the OBD-II port can give fleet managers an all-inclusive report on every issue affecting it.

However, defects recorded in DVIRs often go unaddressed if the fleet manager does not deem them serious enough. The truth is that a seemingly innocuous flaw can lead to equipment failures in the future. Naturally, kicking the can is not the best option.

Fleets with aging vehicles should definitely keep a close eye on their DVIRs to respond to failed items as quickly as possible. Fleet tracker devices help fleet managers monitor their DVIRs and observe trends.

Stick to OEM guidelines for more mileage and less maintenance

When a person grows older, doctors advise them to visit more frequently. Simultaneously, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) recommend vehicles be serviced more regularly after reaching a specific odometer reading. OEM guidelines typically suggest that particular maintenance actions be conducted on mileage intervals, such as oil changes every 3,000 miles or yearly brake inspections.

By following these recommendations, fleet managers can avoid minor wear and tear from turning into costly breakdowns and keep the vehicles running longer.

Fleet management platforms can help fleet managers stay on top of increased mileage maintenance intervals by automatically reminding them of due services.

Monitor TCO

Nearly every fleet business tracks the expenses of acquiring new vehicles. However only a handful of establishments record how they spend in maintaining the automobiles over the years.

As a result, these companies fail to see how they waste money on vehicles that need replacing. The absence of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) visibility is particularly problematic when dealing with aging vehicles owing to greater maintenance requirements.

Thankfully, fleets of all sizes can easily track this metric by using fleet management solutions.

One of the most significant benefits of such a platform is its ability to document every expense associated with a vehicle in the fleet and report TCO in real time. This information lets fleet managers make more informed decisions concerning automobile usage and replacement policies.

Use CPM to delegate assets

Despite all the metrics fleet managers should get familiarized with, the Cost Per Mile (CPM) stands out. The CPM value is derived from dividing a vehicle's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by the distance it has covered. Upon calculating the CPM of an automobile, a fleet manager can better understand the costs of completing specific jobs with that vehicle. With this knowledge, fleet managers can enhance profitability by assigning assets based on the CPM value.

For example, if the job demands a lot of traveling, dispatching an automobile with a lower CPM will be much more cost-effective than using another with a higher CPM. After all, old vehicles are more likely to have a high CPM. As such, fleet managers can leverage this fact to assign jobs closer to where they are stored.

Temporary hires

Strikes are always detrimental to businesses, with one of the most prominent risks being losing clients combined with a veritable volume of business to competitors. After all, you will not have enough people or a trained workforce to oversee all organizational aspects during the strike.

Since hiring new people amid an employee walkout is controversial, you may consider temporary or contractual hires to fill the posts until the labor dispute is resolved. If you know how long this dispute may continue, you can hire workers as per this period.

Driver appreciation

There are several ways of improving driver loyalty that can dissuade a strike and enhance working conditions for fleets. As the manager, you can't control the stipulation in arbitration or the labor terms during a strike, but you can use your fleet and job outlook to make all the difference.

Keep a positive relationship with your drivers to eliminate negativity, keep communications transparent, offer coaching, ensure a comfortable working environment, review performance, and reward them. Leverage incentives, such as pay raise, health benefits, bonuses, company holidays, retirement packages, and paid time off.

Respectful on-boarding

During strikes, one can only hope to reach a compromise with the company and its drivers agreeing upon a fair deal. As the manager, you should ensure a seamless transition when drivers return to work.

Welcome them again respectfully and acknowledge the changes that may come from arbitration. Fleet operators should keep the workplace environment positive and engage drivers to curb workflow disruptions while preventing future conflicts.

This strategy should get the business rolling again and put all disputes in the past.

A solution to industrial walkouts

To make vehicle management a breeze, fleet managers only need the right fleet vehicle tracker, fleet management software, or these combined. With such technologies, one can consolidate all asset-related data into a single source. From logging assignment histories to storing documents and uncovering critical fleet usage metrics, digitizing the approach to fleet management can profoundly enhance operational efficiency.

The origins of Halloween night can be traced back more than 2,000 years ago to the historic Celtic festival of Samhain. It was when the boundary between the living and the dead got blurry. On October 31st, the spirits of the departed returned to our world in search of worldly stuff. However, the more sinister ones enjoyed a night full of criminal acts.

Things have not changed much since. Today, most folks throw on costumes and eat candy. A few others, though, will wreak havoc.

With an increase in the number of crimes and drunk drivers on Halloween, there are many dangers you should be aware of. After all, it’s worth the trouble to familiarize yourself with the risks to make your Halloween fun and safe.

Statistical data on Halloween car theft

The National Insurance Crime Bureau is a non-profit group of insurance companies that monitors car thefts reported to the police. This establishment published a report claiming more vehicles were stolen on Halloween than on any other holiday in the US.

Recent data from five years ago points to 2,275 cars stolen by thieves on Halloween. These miscreants tended to be quietest on Christmas (1,447 cars), followed by Thanksgiving (1,698), Independence Day (2,071) and New Year's Eve (2,122). Things were worse on Memorial Day and Labor Day, at 2,167 and 2,235 thefts, respectively.

Considering the population density and the number of registered cars, California tops the list for all holiday car thefts. The states that followed were Texas, Florida, Washington, and Georgia.

NICB further states that the annual thefts amounted to 802,605, a 1% drop from 2017. Nonetheless, it is still 5% higher than in 2016 and 13% higher than in 2015.

A thief will successfully steal a two-decade-old Honda Civic than a brand-new Audi R8. In fact, the Honda Civic was the most stolen car in 2017, with 45,062 reported thefts. 6,707 of these were for the most frequently stolen model year, the 1998 Civic, followed by the Accord, with 43,764 stolen.

The 1997 model was the most popular among thieves, with 6301 taken. However, new and late-model Toyota Corolla, Camry, GMC Sierra, and Nissan Altima models were the most stolen models of the year.

The NICB mentioned that many thefts, particularly of new cars, occur because owners leave their vehicles unlocked with the keys inside. Even underage Halloween revelers work harder than these thieves to claim their loot.

Tips to protect cars from thieves

What is the primary cause behind the spike in auto theft?

It is because drivers leave their key fobs in their cars! Car owners using keyless start technology also face the same problem. These vehicles attract more thieves.

There are a few solutions to stop cars from being stolen and they are mentioned in the sections below.

Sound judgment

Remove the keys from the ignition, close the windows, lock the doors, and park the car in a properly lit area every time. That is what NICB recommends. Also, never leave the keys inside the vehicle, even if you hide them.

It sounds obvious, simple, and easy enough to follow, right?

Unfortunately, very few people actually do it. In 2018, keys were used to steal over 80,000 vehicles. That was almost 5% more than 2017, according to NICB.

Additionally, never get out of the car while the engine is running, even for a brief moment, because it is enough for a thief to jump in and steal the car.

Warn them

There are several ways to deter thieves. For instance, you can install steering wheel locks or audible alarms. You may also etch the VIN (vehicle identification number) on the windows. It lowers the car's overall value to thieves because they spend money and time removing it before reselling it.

Use immobilizers

You may also install an immobilizer device, such as a fuse cut-off, kill switch, or ignition disabling system. These can prevent the vehicle from starting until a hidden button or switch is activated.

Tracking devices

If a thief gets a hold of your car, an OBD-II GPS tracker may prove instrumental in getting it back. This device will notify you of its location when the vehicle is stolen. You can use this information to inform the police. You can also aid the authorities in recovering your car before it is smuggled out of the country or stripped. Choose a vehicle tracking device with a “tamper alert" feature. In this way, you will be alerted when the tracker is unplugged and plugged back in. Additionally, you can also install a tracker offering “vehicle-tracking" feature. In this way, you can retrace the route taken by the thieves and where your car was ultimately left.

All tricks and no treats

Whether it is a wallet or a car, instances of theft generally happen when you are distracted. While parking in a new location or getting kids in and out of the car do not leave the engine running.

Thankfully, you can always rely on an OBD-II tracking device. These devices use GPS technology to track the location of your vehicle. Track the location of your vehicle in real-time, remotely get vehicle usage data and that too with no monthly fee! In a nutshell, peace of mind is guaranteed with vehicle trackers.

Life is a gift. There is not a more appropriate word to describe it, but the sad fact remains that it must end. Thankfully, the life expectancy of humans has increased greatly due to the advancements made in the field of medical science.

Now, you may not feel overly enthusiastic when you look at the current statistics in the USA. For example, the average life expectancy dropped to 77 in 2020 and further in 2021 to just over 76. However, there is light over the horizon. Scientists believe the capacity of the human body currently reaches its limits at around 115 years.

Old age can be a hindrance, but it does not have to rob senior individuals of their independence. That's why there were over 48 million licensed drivers aged 65 or over in America in 2020 - an increase of 68% since 2000. This data is from the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation (US).

Presently, it is not surprising to see someone in their 80s or 90s cruising down the road in their personal vehicles! Even after knowing all these facts, the loved ones of senior folks feel concerned whenever they drive. Why do they worry? Is there a cause?

Concerns

Drivers must be aware of the traffic laws, follow the rules of the road, and incorporate defensive driving skills to stay safe. However, this is not going to be enough. Good knowledge of traffic laws and driving skills alone will not do the trick. One needs to be healthy physically and mentally, and older people often fail to meet the requirements.

Physical

• No health condition that may cause a driver to lose control or become immobilized while driving.

Sensory

• Must not be color blind.
• 20/40 combined vision (glasses and contact lenses allowed).

Mental

• Able to process sensory functions.
• Able to focus.
• Being mentally and emotionally stable.
• Able to judge time, distance, and speed.
• Able to identify driving hazards, process them, make sound decisions, and react accordingly.
• As everyone ages differently, there is no arbitrary cutoff regarding when someone should stop sitting behind the wheel. However, older drivers are far more likely to receive traffic tickets and get into accidents than younger drivers. What is the reason behind this increase? Factors like decreased vision, impaired hearing, slower motor reflexes, and worsening health conditions become problematic with age.
• Aging also reduces strength, coordination, and flexibility, which, in turn, can affect the ability to control a car safely.
• Neck stiffness or pain reduces head maneuverability to look over the shoulder.
• Leg pain can make it difficult for older individuals to move their feet from the gas to the brake pedal and vice versa.
• Reduced strength in the arms makes it difficult to turn the steering wheel effectively and quickly.
• Reaction times decrease with age.
• It becomes difficult to divide attention between several activities.
• For an older licensed driver without dementia, lower levels of cognitive function can cause motor vehicle crashes. Depression, on the other hand, increases the risk of accidents in older licensed drivers without dementia.

How to keep elderly drivers safe?

That’s easy. All that one has to do is install a GPS tracker for seniors in the vehicle that their elderly loved ones would drive. One can also use GPS trackers since these devices entail added benefits. Additionally, one can also make sure that the elderly drivers in their family abide by the rules mentioned below.

Rules of driving license renewal for seniors by state

Alabama

License renewal every four years for all drivers. No vision test is required. Senior drivers have no special requirements to fulfill, but they may have to take a written knowledge test.

Alaska

License renewal every five years. Drivers aged 69 or more may need to take a vision test at every renewal and, possibly, a written knowledge test.

Arizona

License renewal every five years for people aged 65 or older. They must undergo a vision test during every renewal. A written knowledge test may also be necessary.

Arkansas

License renewal every eight years for all drivers. They must take a vision test at every renewal. Seniors have no special requirements to fulfill.

California

License renewal every five years for all drivers. People aged 70 and older must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test.

Colorado

License renewal every five years for all drivers. Additionally, all drivers must take a vision test at every license renewal. There are no special requirements for seniors, but they may need to take a written test.

Connecticut

License renewal every six years. You do not need a vision test, and there are no special requirements for seniors, but they may have to take a written test.

Delaware

License renewal every eight years. All drivers must take a vision test at every license renewal. Seniors have no special requirements to fulfill, but they may need to take a written test.

District of Columbia

License renewal every eight years. All drivers must take a vision test at every renewal. While there are no special requirements for seniors, they may need to take a written knowledge test.

Florida

License renewal every six years for people aged 80 or more. These people must take a vision test at every renewal and maybe a written knowledge test.

Georgia

License renewal every eight years. Drivers need to take a vision test at every renewal. Seniors have no special requirements to fulfill but may need to take a written knowledge test.

Hawaii

License renewal every two years for people aged 72 and older. Additionally, all drivers must take a vision test at every renewal and a written knowledge test.

Idaho

License renewal every four years for people aged 63 and older. Drivers must take a vision test at every renewal and sit for a written knowledge test.

Illinois

License renewal every two years for people aged between 81 and 86 and one year for people aged 87 or older. Additionally, drivers aged 75 and older must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test.

Indiana

License renewal every three years for people aged between 75 and 84 and two years for people aged 85 or older. Additionally, drivers aged 75 and older must take a vision test at every renewal. A written knowledge test may also be a mandate.

Iowa

License renewal every two years for people aged 72 or older. Drivers aged 70 and older need to take a vision test at every renewal and a written knowledge test.

Kansas

License renewal every four years for people aged 65 and older. All drivers must take a vision test at every renewal and a written knowledge test.

Kentucky

License renewal every eight years for all drivers. Vision tests are not mandatory, and seniors have no special requirements to fulfill. However, they may need to take a written knowledge test.

Louisiana

License renewal every six years for all drivers. People aged 70 and older must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test.

Maine

License renewal every four years for people aged 65 and older. Drivers aged 62 and above must take a vision test at every renewal and a written knowledge test.

Maryland

License renewal every eight years for all drivers. People aged 40 and above must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly sit for a written knowledge test.

Massachusetts

License renewal every five years for all drivers. Additionally, all drivers aged 75 and older must take a vision test at every renewal and maybe a written knowledge test.

Michigan

License renewal every four years for all drivers. Vision tests are not mandatory, and seniors need not fulfill special requirements. However, they may need to take a written knowledge test.

Minnesota

License renewal every four years for all drivers. Car owners must take a vision test at every renewal. Seniors have no special requirements, but must sit for a written knowledge test.

Mississippi

License renewal every eight years. Vision tests are not mandatory, and seniors do not have to fulfill any special requirements, but they may need to take a written knowledge test.

Missouri

License renewal every three years for people aged 70 and older. Additionally, all drivers must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test.

Montana

License renewal every four years for people aged 75 and older. Additionally, all drivers must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test.

Nebraska

License renewal every five years for all drivers. Anyone aged 72 and older must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test.

Nevada

License renewal every four years for people aged 65 and older. Additionally, all drivers aged 71 and above must take a vision test at every renewal. Drivers may even need to sit for a written knowledge test.

New Hampshire

License renewal every five years for drivers of all ages. They must also take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test. However, there are no special requirements for seniors.

New Jersey

License renewal every four years for people aged 70 and older. All drivers must take a vision test every ten years and possibly sit for a written knowledge test.

New Mexico

License renewal every four years for people between 67 and 74 and one year for people aged 75 or older. Additionally, drivers aged 75 and older must take a vision test at every renewal and a written knowledge test if necessary.

New York

License renewal every eight years for all drivers. Drivers need to take a vision test at every renewal. While there are no special requirements for seniors, they may need to sit for a written knowledge test.

North Carolina

License renewal every five years for people aged 66 and above. All drivers must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test.

North Dakota

License renewal every four years for people aged 78 and above. Furthermore, all drivers must take a vision test during renewal and possibly sit for a written knowledge test.

Ohio

License renewal every four years for all drivers. Additionally, drivers need to take a vision test at every renewal. Seniors have no special requirements to fulfill, but they may have to take a written knowledge test.

Oklahoma

License renewal every four years for all drivers. Vision tests are not necessary. Seniors do not have to fulfill any special requirements, either. However, they may have to sit for a written knowledge test.

Oregon

License renewal every eight years for all drivers. Additionally, people aged 50 and above need to take a vision test at every renewal. Sitting for a written knowledge test may also be necessary.

Pennsylvania

License renewal every four years for people aged 65 and older. Vision tests are not necessary, but written knowledge tests may be.

Rhode Island

License renewal every two years for people aged 75 and older. All drivers must take a vision test at every renewal and possibly a written knowledge test.

South Carolina

License renewal every eight years for all drivers. Additionally, all drivers need to take a vision test at every renewal. Seniors do not have any special requirements, but they may need to sit for a written knowledge test.

South Dakota

License renewal every five years for all drivers. Furthermore, drivers aged 65 and older must take a vision test at every renewal and maybe a written knowledge test.

Tennessee

License renewal every eight years. Vision tests are not mandatory, and seniors have no special requirements to fulfill. However, they may need to sit for a written knowledge test.

Texas

License renewal every two years for people aged 85 and older. Additionally, all drivers aged 79 and older must take a vision test at every renewal. Taking a written knowledge test may also be necessary.

Utah

License renewal every five years for all drivers. Anyone aged 65 or older must take a vision test at every renewal and a written knowledge test if necessary.

Vermont

License renewal every four years for all drivers. A vision test is unnecessary, and seniors have no special requirements to fulfill. However, they may need to sit for a written knowledge test.

Virginia

License renewal every five years for people aged 75 and older. Additionally, all drivers aged 75 and older must take a vision test at every license renewal. They may even have to sit for a written knowledge test.

Washington

License renewal every six years for all drivers. Additionally, vehicle owners must take a vision test at every renewal. Seniors have no special requirements to fulfill, but they may have to sit for a written knowledge test.

West Virginia

License renewal every eight years for all drivers, and everyone is expected to take a vision test at every renewal. Seniors have no special requirements, but may have to sit for a written knowledge test.

Wisconsin

License renewal every eight years for all drivers. Additionally, everyone needs to take a vision test at every renewal. Seniors have no special requirements to fulfill, but they may need to sit for a written knowledge test.

Wyoming

License renewal every four years for all drivers. Additionally, all drivers must take a vision test every eight years. Seniors have no special requirements to fulfill, but they may need to take a written knowledge test.

Well, there you have it - an inclusive list of all the states with an overview of the driving laws enforced by the local governments. A GPS tracker for vehicles can bolster elderly safety even further with telematics features, geofencing, driver scoring, location tracking, maintenance alerts, accident alerts, car health monitoring, fuel tracking, 24/7 roadside assistance, security and so much more!

Independence matters

Yes, more and more seniors drive these days, even if you think they should not. Simultaneously, the life expectancy of the average human has increased. So, it is natural for someone to drive cars in their 80s.

If you care for your loved ones, you should avoid taking away their freedom, as it is the first thing they lose with age and independence. Appropriate precautions such as tracking beyond the car and Vyncs are a great option to keep senior family members safe and sound on the road.

National School Bus Safety Week is just around the corner. So, it is the perfect time to discuss safety initiatives for our children.

What is the National School Bus Safety Week? It is an annual awareness event that sheds light on the importance of ensuring student transportation safety across the country.

It is especially important for school transportation administrators in California. Why so? This state has had a long history of challenges associated with school transportation. California happens to be the least funded state for school logistics in the USA, based on per capita student enrollment. The ridership value is just 9%. While students are 70 times more likely to reach school safely by school bus than by car, there were over 1,200 fatalities across the nation that resulted from accidents between 2009 and 2018.

New funding, however, can help address these accessibility and safety challenges in California. The Governor of the state passed a benchmark budget of $308 billion in June last year. Among all the civic requirements these funds catered to, $170 billion was put aside to address issues, which pestered the California public school system, including declining enrollment, teacher shortage, achievement gaps, and, of course, school transportation.

If you are part of the California school transportation administrative branch, you should familiarize yourself with two programs: the “Home to School Transportation Program" and the “Green School Bus Grant." Both are created by the state budget and funded by Proposition 98 to eliminate safety challenges and establish school transportation accessibility.

Home to School Transportation

Proposition 98, passed in 1998 guaranteed a minimum level of funding for the K-12 public schools and community colleges in California. Since the idea came into existence, the funding levels of Proposition 98 have increased steadily from an estimated $96.1 billion in 2020 to $110.2 billion in 2021 and $110.4 billion in 2022.

The final budget of the state was a historic $637 million of ongoing Proposition 98 general fund money to the new Home to School Transportation program. According to School Transportation News, It was a local control funding formula add-on, which allowed local education agencies, or LEAs, to receive 60% reimbursement of their transportation expenses, or their current add-on, plus ongoing cost of living adjustments (COLA). Reimbursable transportation costs may include new school buses, fuel costs, new technology deployed in school buses, and other school transportation costs.

LEAs need to come up with an all-inclusive plan to apply for the reimbursement. This plan must describe how LEAs will provide transportation services to students, especially low-income students and those in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. Here are a few suggestions to develop a comprehensive plan that will qualify for Home to School Transportation reimbursement.

• The plan should include a description of how the LEA's transportation services would benefit students with low income or disabilities.
• The plan must also come with a description of how the LEA's transportation services would benefit English learners, students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or fostered students at no cost.
• Apart from those within the LEA, you must create the plan by collaborating with stakeholders, such as staffs, school administrators, teachers, local air pollution districts, local transit authorities, parents, etc.
• Once the plan is ready, it has to be presented and adopted by the governing board of the LEA and made available for discussion among the public.

About Green School Bus Grant

Almost 16,000 school buses ply on the streets of California, and around two-thirds of the buses run on diesel. These vehicles are costly from financial and environmental perspectives. School districts spend almost $1.8 billion on transporting students from their homes to school, with fuel expenses accounting for 10-20% of the budget. Furthermore, diesel emissions are risky for the state's carbon footprint and human health.

The state budget requisitioned $1.5 billion in one-time Proposition 98 funds to the California Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission to lay the foundation of a zero-emission school bus program called Green School Bus Grant. It will replace existing school buses powered by diesel with electric school buses. Earliest estimates predict that this funding will let school districts replace around 3,000 school buses.

Based on the data posted on the EPA 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program, an applicant will be prioritized if they fulfill the following requirements.

• The applicant hosts a high population of English learners and low-income students.
• The applicant comes up with a proposal to replace the oldest school buses.
• The applicant proposes to purchase electrical school buses with bidirectional charging.
• The applicant has less than or equal to 2,500 students.
• The applicant operates in rural areas.

The Legislative Analyst's Office claims that the grants will possibly start at $500,000 for replacing one bus, with electric buses costing around $400,000. Recipients have to get rid of old buses within one year of receiving new vehicles. Additionally, recipients must use at least 90% of their grant for buying the electric bus and related infrastructure, such as charging stations, as per the Department of Transportation. The other 10% can be spent on any other cost associated with school transportation, including school buses, training, hiring, administrative costs, innovative safety technology, and more. The California Energy Commission and California Air Resources Board are presently developing application procedures.

How to improve school transportation

School bus safety is a profoundly risky aspect of student transportation. Over a 180-days in a school year, motorists end up causing over 17 million stop-arm violations. It means there are are just too many opportunities for a school bus collision or blind spot-related accident to occur.

The Southern California Association of Governments states that California is one of the few states where both funding and ridership are among the lowest in the country. Naturally, this new funding is going to be historic because it will make things possible for the authorities of California schools to reinvest in school transportation programs - increasing sustainability, accessibility, and safety for millions of students who need to travel to school from home every day.

Vyncs can be your partner in improving your school transportation program and improving school bus safety. Vyncs is a comprehensive platform that empowers schools to streamline student transportation systems, monitor vehicles, minimize accidents, and improve student safety though its exclusive range of GPS fleet trackers.

Visit Vyncs website to see what it can do to empower your school bus safety drive.

Ah, the bleak yet beautiful months of autumn! The hot and humid days with temperatures soaring to 90 degrees are gone. No more trips to the beach or cookouts for now. Instead, you and a million other Americans will enjoy football games and visit pumpkin patches. Indeed, the fall is all about the tastes of pumpkin and apple, the feel of the crisp morning air, and the sight of the lovely red, orange, and yellow foliage.

To say that the fall is a lovely time of the year is an understatement. It marks the transition from summer to autumn and the beginning of all types of change, including changes in road conditions. Every season brings unique driving challenges, and autumn is no different.

So, how do you tackle the obstacles of the fall? How do you make your trips safe?

Familiarize yourself with the changing light patterns

Autumn days are shorter than summer days. The sun moves closer to the horizon, causing more glare at dawn and dusk, and the evenings will get darker once you end daylight savings time in November. According to the National Safety Council, 50% of traffic deaths happen after sunset, even when folks spend only one-quarter of their entire driving time at night. This happens due to the darkness, which reduces peripheral vision, depth perception, and color recognition. To prevent such accidents, you should:

• Keep a pair of sunglasses in the car to avoid being dazed by the sun's blinding glare. In the fall, it is common in the morning and evening rush hour.
• Keep the windshield clean to prevent dirt streaks from contributing to the autumn glare.
• Be careful while driving in neighborhoods during the wee hours of morning and evening. The low light makes it difficult for drivers to see children playing or pet owners walking their dogs.
• The glare of approaching headlights blinds drivers approaching you from the opposite direction at night. Avoid wearing sunglasses as they tend to obstruct your vision at night. The best thing to do is to avoid looking directly at the headlights of oncoming cars. Look towards the right and search for the white-painted line on the road.

Beware of leaf hazards

Autumn leaves are a sight to behold, but surprisingly they can be dangerous. Driving on a road carpeted by wet leaves is risky as it makes the surface slippery. In fact, the road becomes as slick as black ice, and they may even turn icy when the temperature drops. Dry leaves are not safe to drive on, either. They reduce traction, cause skidding, and even hide potholes and road markings. To prevent an accident, you should:

• Remove the leaves on your windshield so they do not get stuck in the wiper blades and block your sight.
• When you drive on leaf-covered roads, drive slowly. Think about potholes hiding under the leaves that you would not want to hit at higher speeds.
• NHTSA and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation suggest creating as much distance as possible between yourself and the vehicle in front to avoid braking suddenly on the treacherous surface.
• Autumn is when some drivers stare at the fall foliage on the road while driving. Instead, they should focus on the road.
• With schools back in session in autumn, the hustle and bustle on the roads will increase. You will deal with increased traffic, school buses, pedestrians, etc. Stick to the speed limits and be wary of pedestrians.
• Never drive through a pile of leaves. Children love to hide there.
• Never park over a pile of leaves, either. Otherwise, there might be a fire hazard in your hands resulting from the heat generated in the exhaust system.

Decreased visibility in foggy conditions and rain

Fall brings an increase in rain. Prepare your car by checking the windshield wipers. Watch out for signs of wear or damage, like splitting. If the wipers fail to clean the windshield, change them immediately.

The chilly mornings of the fall can create foggy conditions, which reduce your visibility and the perception of distance when driving. Take the appropriate measures to increase your visibility and implement ways to make yourself visible in the fog.

• Keep the headlights on, even during the day. If you have fog lights installed in your vehicle, use them.
• Do not use the high beams because they fail to work well in dense fog. Instead of lighting the path, high beams will create a glare and distort your visibility.
• Drive at a safe speed, but stay far away from other drivers.
• Do not get distracted. Keep your eyes on the road.
• Use the defroster and windshield wipers to keep the glass clean. Set the defroster to warm to get rid of any moisture.
• Pull over to a safe area if you need to. Just make sure that you turn off the lights because, in a fog, other drivers will see your lights and think you are in their lane of traffic. This situation may cause a collision.

Take it slow on the bridges and overpasses

If overnight temperatures drop below zero, you should expect a frosty morning. This frost will definitely affect your journey.

• Heat up the engine to clear away the morning frost on the windshield and windows before you start driving.
• Drop your speed as you approach bridges, overpasses, and shaded zones. These areas remain frozen.
• Beware of black ice. It does not look like snow, but it makes road surfaces slippery.

Watch out for deer

Autumn is the mating season for deer. It means you may encounter more of these magnificent creatures during your travels in the fall than at any other time of the year. Most drivers crash into deer in November, as per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. An adult creature ranges between 150 and 300 pounds. Naturally, hitting one will result in a serious accident in which you may sustain severe injuries.

• Deer activity increases during dawn and dusk. Keep your eyes peeled and watch for movement on the sides of the road, particularly in areas with deer crossing signs.
• These animals often travel in groups. If you notice one crossing the road, you can be certain that more will follow.
• Do not swerve if you see a deer. Try to come to a halt while controlling your deceleration and wait for the creature to pass. Turn on the hazard lights to alert other drivers that you stopped.

Maintain the vehicle

Proper vehicle maintenance will help you navigate the challenges of driving in the treacherous autumn road conditions.

• Check the headlights, tail lights, and turn signals to ensure they are working. Align the headlights properly.
• Check the windscreen wipers. Do not hesitate to replace the blades if they appear worn out.
• Check the heating system to make sure it is working.
• The tires should be appropriately inflated and have enough tread in them. Car tires expand and contract whenever the temperatures rise and fall, which, in turn, causes air pressure loss. You need your tires to be inflated as per manufacturer specifications. So, check the owner's manual.
• In the end, make sure that you have proper insurance. Coverage will give you peace of mind should anything untoward happen.

Closing thoughts

There is something majestic about autumn, but the beauty of the fall brings several obstacles for drivers to deal with when sitting behind the wheel. By following these safety measures, you can enjoy every trip while eliminating the risks and stress posed by this beautiful season.

To stay even safer, consider using a car GPS tracker from Vyncs. With it, create geofences to mark autumn hazard zones, keep track of your speed limit, determine how your teenagers drive, and get 24/7 roadside assistance if you fail to avert an accident.

Sources:

1. https://motorlease.com/article/five-more-fall-driving-safety-tips/
2. https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/fall-driving-tips/
3. https://www.drivparts.com/parts-matter/learning-center/driver-education-and-vehicle-safety/fall-driving-tips.html
4. https://mycalcas.com/2021/10/safety-tips-for-driving-in-the-fall/
5. https://www.palegaladvice.com/blog/fall-driving-tips/
6. https://www.penndot.pa.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/TrafficSafetyAndDriverTopics/Pages/Fall-Driving.aspx
7. https://contelawyers.ca/9-fall-driving-tips-all-canadians-should-know/
8. https://www.allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/driving-safely-in-autumn
9. https://www.drive-safely.net/driving-in-fall-weather/
10. https://www.drivesafecolorado.com/blog/drivers-education/fall-driving-important-safety-tips-to-keep-in-mind
11. https://driversed.com/trending/fall-driving-safety-tips

What makes a good driver? This question is simple, but the answer is not. Some people may think a person who never received a speeding ticket is a good driver, while others may think Dom Torreto of “Fast and Furious" is a good driver. Everyone has a different opinion and standards on a “good driver". However, most of us encounter “bad" drivers now and then. So, it is safe to say that a good driver is actually hard to come by.

Nonetheless, becoming better behind the wheel is necessary. Being a good driver can make the roads safer and save on fuel, maintenance, and insurance. So what can we do to become a “good" driver?

Before getting into the attributes of a good driver, let us start by looking at the kind of drivers you run into on the road.

1. Speeders - When vehicles move too quickly, the overall traction with the road decreases. The situation makes it easier for drivers to lose control and swerve if they fail to pay close attention. Speeders pose a higher risk of getting into accidents than others driving within the designated speed limit.
2. Student drivers - New drivers usually try to handle their cars as comfortably as other drivers, but unfortunately, it does not always work out that way. Their nervousness manifests in the form of a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, low speeds, and unnecessary swerving as they attempt to keep themselves in the middle of a lane.
3. Angry drivers - These people suffer from road rage. They hurry constantly and do whatever it takes to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Angry drivers swerve in and out of lanes frequently, locking horns with other drivers and acting irrationally because of their anger. In the end, they fail to focus on the road.
4. Multi-taskers - Instead of just paying attention to the road, multi-taskers participate in other activities. These activities include talking on the phone, texting, eating, or doing their makeup. Doing so shortens reaction time during a dangerous situation.
5. Weavers - When traffic does not move fast enough for them, weavers react by changing lanes instead of waiting for the vehicles ahead to pick up. Actually, these people do not drive more than a couple of miles in a single lane. This habit of weaving in and out of traffic is hazardous to weavers and others, as they will not wait for oncoming cars to pass.
6. Defensive drivers - Last but not least, defensive drivers are forever cautious and vigilant on the road. They maintain a reasonable amount of space between cars while avoiding hazards. These characteristics give them enough time to react during emergencies, reducing the chances of accidents.

The traits of good drivers

Although there are no set standards on what makes a driver a good driver, there are some traits many agree on. So what are some common traits a good driver wield?

Before moving on, check out this quiz by Consumer Reports. It can tell you more about how you drive.

A good driver is:

• Well-prepared

You have probably heard that you should never blame your equipment. Yes, as time passes the car will have problems but it is your job to keep up with its maintenance. Is the tire tread safe? Is there enough windscreen detergent in the tank for a journey? Do you sit in the right position before setting out on a trip? Do you adjust your mirrors correctly? Proficient drivers will always be aware of all these factors before they turn on the ignition.

• Know thy vehicle

Today, hundreds and thousands prefer to lease cars or resort to self-driven vehicle hiring schemes. Considering this fact, you may find yourself behind the steering wheel of a car you never drove before. It will inevitably affect your driving. For instance, it is crucial to know if your car has enough power to complete a maneuver safely within the time you expect it to. Can you be sure about how hard you should step on the brake to make it stop? Will you have any way of knowing whether the car has ABS brakes or other driving aids?

• Control

Control applies to your frame of mind and driving style. When it is about the physical side of driving, the person sitting behind the wheel must be aware of the road surface. After all, gravel, wet mud, and ice can be lethal. It is crucial to maintain control, and you can do that by slowing down and ensuring you do everything as smoothly as possible. Be responsible and avoid drunk driving and drowsy driving at all costs. One more aspect of being a good driver is to remain calm and emotionally in control. You should maintain the right attitude, as you share the roads with many other drivers. Anger, agitation, and impatience are not only dangerous but also leave you stressed after driving for a long time which can lead to accidents.

• Proper use of the vehicle

Drivers should know the location of every piece of equipment and every function they need in the car. Being aware of where the fog lights and warning lights are, using the indicators correctly, thinking about when to switch on the headlights once the sun goes down, and using the main beam safely to avoid startling or blinding other drivers are all attributes of good driving. Don't forget to pay attention to the car's dashboard warning lights! You can let the fuel light stay on for some time, but ignoring the other warning lights will lead to severe problems. It is also crucial to consider how you actually control the car. If you drive an automobile with a manual shifter, you should touch the stick only when you need to change gears. Keep your hands only on the steering wheel to react in an emergency.

• Concentrate on the road

Drivers get distracted all the time on the road. Some pay more attention to the radio while others talk to the passengers. Some fiddle with the AC knobs while others keep turning their heads, searching for a turning. However, staying alert on the road is at the top of the list of important things. There are too many potential hazards to watch out for because everyone is not as attentive. Pedestrians, particularly children, may step out from behind a parked vehicle, animals running on the road, a cyclist pedaling along the inside lane, an almost invisible puddle or pothole, an object obstructing your vision, and other distracted drivers can all cause problems. There are endless possibilities of potential hazards that can cause an accident, so staying alert and aware of your surroundings are very important to prevent any accidents and staying safe.

• A courteous nature

No matter how well you drive, there are bound to be those who drive recklessly. In such circumstances, you may lose your cool and spew unkind words and honk at the other driver. On the other hand, it may be you who does not yield and drive angrily because you are stuck in traffic. Whatever the situation may be, people can be mean when they are driving. We all know that honking and not yielding to others will not relieve the traffic jam. Instead, be calm and collective. Be kind and let those who wants to come into your lane into the lane. Give space to pedestrians and cyclists, do not block turnings, and avoid hogging lanes. All these strategies help traffic flow smoothly and keep people safe.

Let's be better

It is easy to yell and curse others behind the wheel because they cannot hear you. You can honk at others out of anger, but none of these things will resolve anything. Instead let us work to be a better driver by yielding, focusing on the road, having knowledge of the vehicle you are driving, and maintaining your car periodically. With a little effort we all can be a good driver.

Even with all these skills some may still want extra help to be more safe. A GPS tracker for car no monthly fee from Vyncs can aid you 24/7 by letting you know about your vehicle health, where to find better quality gas for less, anti-theft, and more!

Sources:

1. https://www.wisedriving.com/blog/how-to-be-a-more-confident-driver
2. https://unitruck.com/blogs/posts/the-different-types-of-drivers-on-the-road
3. https://www.cartakeback.com/blog/in-the-know/what-makes-a-good-driver/

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-powered system that facilitates accurate capturing of locations on any place on the surface of the Earth. The U.S. Air Force developed the first iteration of GPS as a military project. As time passed, it became integral to private and commercial life in the developed world.

Today, GPS helps in navigation, aviation, emergency response, fleet tracking, etc. The Global Positioning System is a service based on positioning, navigation, and timing powered by a constellation of satellites owned by the USA and managed worldwide via control stations.

In the beginning, GPS was reserved only for the military. Now, it is available to everyone and has been so for a while. Due to the widespread use of GPS, this technology has become well-incorporated in people's lives. GPS can now be found in cars such as OBD-II car GPS trackers and mounted infotainment systems or smartphones, and smartwatches. There are 24 operational satellites in the GPS constellation, with a few extra in reserve that the authorities can activate when needed. According to GPS.gov, there are 29 operational satellites as of May 2020. They revolve the Earth twice a day at over 20,200 km. The U.S. Air Force monitors and manages the system and has committed to having at least 24 satellites available 95% of the time. This helps you to be able to know immediately the location of your loved ones in case of an emergency.

Glimpse of the past

GPS originated during the Cold War when the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik I satellite, which marked the start of the so-called space race. The whole thing began as a method of studying the Earth from space, but it quickly became a universal technology used by almost every country.

The end of Selective Availability was a milestone achieved twenty-three years ago, which allowed civilians access to more accurate GPS readings and paved the way for more technological advancements.

GPS highlights

(1950-1969)

• 1957 - Sputnik I satellite launched by the Soviet Union.
• 1959 - The U.S. Navy built the Transit system satellites for submarine tracking.
• 1963 - The Aerospace Corporation completed a full-fledged military study and founded the modern-day GPS.

(1970-1989)

• 1974 - The U.S. launched the first NAVSTAR test satellite.
• 1978 - The U.S. started the launch of 11 test satellites as part of the Block I GPS program.
• 1983 - America chose to provide GPS to civilians to improve navigation and increase air traffic safety after the Korean Air Lines Flight 007 crashed.
• 1985 - The U.S. government signed contracts with private companies to design portable GPS devices.
• 1989 - The GPS brand called Magellan introduced the first handheld GPS device, NAV 1000. The U.S. Air Force also launched the first fully operational satellite as part of its Block II program.

(1990-1999)

• 1990 - The DoD began reducing GPS accuracy for non-military use, stating fear of adversaries gaining military advantages as the reason behind the decision. Eventually, this was called “Selective Availability."
• 1991 - Despite not being entirely operational, GPS played a crucial role in the U.S. operations during the Gulf War.
• 1995 - The U.S. military announced full operational capability of all 24 GPS satellites.
• 1998 - Al Gore, the Vice President of the U.S., announced a plan for GPS III satellites to send two extra signals for civilians and aircraft use.
• 1999 - Benefon introduced the first commercial GPS phone.

(2000-2019)

• 2000 - The U.S. ended “Selective Availability," which further allowed greater usage of GPS among commercial entities and innovators.
• 2004 - Qualcomm, the U.S. electronics company, completed a test of live-assisted GPS on mobile phones, which allowed cellular and GPS signals to work together for better location accuracy.
• 2005 - The first of Block IIR satellites is launched, facilitating a dedicated civilian GPS channel.
• 2010 - The U.S. launched the initial 12 Block IIF satellites. It was the first satellite launched as part of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV), recognized as the modern rocket.
• 2016 - The final Block IIF satellites launched and marked the end of the extensive Block II program. It ran from 1989 to 2016.
• 2018 - The U.S. Air Force executed the launch of the first GPS III satellite.
• 2019 - The second GPS III satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9.

(2020-present)

• 2020 - The U.S. Space Force announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SpaceX launch of the GPS III-3 satellite was delayed.

How GPS went commercial

GPS technology became commercially available during the late 1980s. That was when the electronic navigation company called Magellan designed the first portable GPS receiver. This inaugural device, the NAV 1000, weighed around 1.5 pounds and had a hefty $3,000 price tag. Even after being so costly, this device could not run longer than an hour or two on battery. Back then, the costliness of satellite navigation meant only select companies could afford these systems, other than the military.

With time, the accuracy of GPS improved, and sooner rather than later, various industries started to take advantage of this technology. These days, portable GPS tracking systems are much more affordable. The devices are lightweight, can fit in the palm of your hand, and possess many other abilities compared to the original variants.

The present and the future

Considering the rate at which the abilities of technology continue to expand, one can imagine what GPS technology will look like in the future. Depending on physical maps or asking strangers for directions are things of the past.

Modern navigation systems will empower businesses and government services around the world. Today, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) includes GPS, the European Union's Galileo, Russia's GLONASS, and China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System. Other nations are also working towards their own GPS navigation solutions.

The U.S. Government has plans to launch a new era of GPS satellites called the GPS III models. The third satellite in the series was set for a 2020 launch, but it was delayed. By this year, the new GPS III satellite system was expected to be fully operational.

Sources:

1. https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/communications/policy/GPS_History.html
2. https://aerospace.org/article/brief-history-gps
3. https://www.michaelminn.net/tutorials/gps-history/index.html
4. https://www.aiaa.org/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/about-aiaa/press-room/videos/iaf-60th-anniv-gps-nomination.pdf?sfvrsn=9bc64bfa_0
5. https://www.pcworld.com/article/461346/a-brief-history-of-gps.html
6. https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/technology/visionaries/the-birth-of-gps-an-unexpected-child-of-the-space-race/
7. https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2019-08-22-Second-Lockheed-Martin-Built-Next-Generation-GPS-III-Satellite-Responding-to-Commands-Under-Self-Propulsion
8. https://www.icao.int/APAC/Meetings/2010/pbn_tf7/wp11.pdf

With advanced technology, cars have evolved greatly compared to 20 years ago. Before that, cars did not have systems that needed much battery power. However, today we have many features that need electricity such as rear view camera, seat warmers, infotainment screen, automatic side mirror adjustments, etc. Not only that, but now we also have cars that are run fully on electricity! With so many features that already use the car battery, it is important to use additional accessories and devices that don't affect the car battery.

Besides the technologies from within the car, there are other factors that contribute to battery drainage. The freezing days of the winter and the blazing days of the summer months may cause problems for your car battery. Newer ones can resist the extreme changes in seasonal temperatures, but the older ones can't. Intense heat or cold will inevitably weaken the battery. Car batteries can also die if they remain unused. It only takes two weeks for it to happen. Despite all the technological advancements in cars, the lifespan of batteries didn't increase.

Many people have been using GPS tracking devices for their vehicles for various reasons. Some may worry that adding a OBD-II port-type car GPS tracker may use up a lot of the battery, but that is a myth! Using a patented and reliable OBD-II GPS tracking device will barely drain the battery while giving many benefits such as real time location tracking, showing the vehicle health, fuel consumption, and a lot more.

GPS power consumption

If you use OBD-II GPS devices, you have to understand their power consumption rate. This aspect is crucial for optimal efficiency and performance. Multiple factors dictate the power consumption of GPS trackers, including their functionality, design, and usage patterns.

Factors dictating power consumption;

• The design - A GPS device's design plays a significant role in power consumption. Well-designed products incorporate efficient circuitry and power management systems to reduce unnecessary energy usage. High-quality components and optimized firmware further lower power consumption.
• The frequency of tracking - It's the frequency at which a GPS device transmits location updates and how it impacts power consumption that you need to consider when buying a product. A tracker that updates the location frequently will use more power than another with less frequent reporting intervals. You need to balance tracking frequency with the desired accuracy level to optimize power usage.
• The transmission of data - This method of data transmission incorporated by GPS trackers affects power consumption. Trackers using cellular networks for real-time data transmission need a continuous network connection, which can increase power usage. Conversely, GPS devices that store location data for retrieval later use less power during network disruptions.

Differences in power requirements;

• Wired - Wired trackers usually draw power directly from the electrical system. They operate continuously without depending on the vehicle battery as they have a consistent power source. This variant provides reliable tracking functionality and little power consumption.
• Plug-and-play - These devices tap into the OBD-II port, acquiring power and diagnostic data. They draw power from the car battery and may have varying power consumption levels based on their functionalities and features.
• Battery-powered - Battery-powered tracking devices operate on internal batteries, making them versatile and portable. Power consumption depends on the battery capacity, tracking frequency, etc. Manufacturers often provide estimated battery life depending on specific usage scenarios. However, these need to be recharged or changed to a new set of batteries.

Battery capacity and life;

• Battery capacity - GPS tracker battery affects runtime directly. The higher the battery capability, the more time you get between recharges or replacements. Products with larger batteries can facilitate extended tracking duration, particularly in applications needing continuous tracking.
• Tracking frequency and battery life - Both aspects are interconnected. A device that updates the location more frequently will drain battery power quickly and reduce overall battery life. You can optimize battery lifespan by adjusting the tracking frequency based on tracking requirements and battery constraints.

Energy-efficient technologies and features;

• Sleep mode - A few products feature a sleep mode, where the devices reduce power consumption temporarily or turn off automatically when inactive. In turn, it saves battery power while still retaining essential functionality.
• Power management based on Agnik's proprietary AI and Machine Learning Technology - Tracking devices outfitted with Agnik's proprietary AI and Machine Learning Technology can detect movement and adjust power consumption accordingly. When the tracker is stationary, power consumption reduces, extending battery life. It starts operating normally the moment it detects movement.
• Geofencing and Smart Reporting - Energy-efficient GPS devices leverage geofencing technology to create virtual boundaries. A tracker in a predefined area may reduce reporting frequency to save power. Algorithms for smart reporting optimize reporting intervals depending on the tracker's location and movement patterns.

Instances of GPS trackers draining car batteries;

• Problem with the wiring - Incorrect wiring during GPS tracker installation may lead to power drainage. If you don't connect the tracker to the vehicle's electrical system correctly, it may draw power even when the engine is turned off, resulting in battery drainage.
• Disruptions in power supply - In certain instances, GPS vehicle trackers may experience interference from other electronic components and devices in the vehicle. This interference disrupts the power supply and causes the tracker to draw more power than needed. In the end, your car's battery suffers.
• Faulty components - Low-standard GPS models often come with faulty elements that can contribute to power drainage. Things like inferior circuitry, low-quality components, or manufacturing defects may cause the device to use more power than intended, leading to battery drainage.

Not maintaining batteries;

• Old batteries - When car batteries get old, they gradually lose their ability to hold a charge. Such batteries may fail to sustain the power requirements of a GPS device over extended periods, resulting in faster power drainage.
• Insufficient or incomplete charging - If the battery isn't charged adequately, or if there are any issues with the charging system, the GPS tracker will not receive sufficient power to remain operational. Eventually, the battery will drain out completely.

The solution

There are ways to mitigate power drainage in GPS devices and ensure optimal battery life. Follow the best practices below;

1. Install properly - You need professional installation services or follow the vehicle manufacturer's guidelines carefully to ensure correct wiring and minimize the risks of power drainage.
2. Choose trustworthy brands - Buy devices from reputable companies, such as Vyncs, recognized for manufacturing OBD-II or wired products that are not heavy on the vehicle battery.
3. Timely maintenance - You have to maintain the vehicle's battery by checking its condition, ensuring proper charging, and addressing issues on time.

Wrapping it up

While GPS tracking affects vehicle batteries, it isn't universal. The device's design and installation are usually efficient and will not drain the battery quickly. However, substandard products and incorrect installations will inevitably lead to loss of power. Reputable brands like Vyncs prevent GPS trackers from draining the battery.

Vyncs uses 37-55mA when the ignition is on and 3-4mA when the ignition is off. A 25mA draw is acceptable, and anything that crosses 100mA indicates an electrical issue that requires immediate attention. With advancing car technology, it is inevitable to not have any features in the car that uses electricity. Electrical accessories such as seat warmers, radio presets, rear view cameras, etc tend to contribute to excess battery usage. If anything, Vyncs can help monitor battery usage level.

With proper installation techniques, regular battery maintenance, and reputable brands like Vyncs, you can forget about getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, looking for help from other drivers to jump-start your vehicle.

Right now, the state of innovation in the global economy is strong. People all over the world love and praise creativity. Marketers, educators, corporations, and governments promote it as the only solution to survival and prosperity. Consumer feelings towards a specific product are catalyzed, which makes them purchase it and add to the swings in the GDP of their nation's economy.

To that end, a patent bolsters the invention process because it offers the best incentive to inventors to create something new and valuable. It is also the only guarantee that inventors and their financial backers will recover and profit from the money and time they invest. Even consumers claim that patents are mandatory for promoting creativity.

What is patenting

So, what is patenting? What does it involve? A patent is granting property right to an inventor by the appropriate authority. This grant provides the inventor exclusive rights to the patented process, design, or invention for a predetermined period in return for an inclusive disclosure of the said invention. To be precise, a patent is a form of incorporeal right.

Usually, government agencies manage and approve patent applications. In America , the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) oversees patent applications and grants approvals. It is a part of the Department of Commerce.

Most patents remain valid for up to 20 years from the date of application filed with the USPTO. Of course, there are situations where exceptions are made to extend the term. United States patents are valid only within the country and United States Territories. If the inventor needs protection for their invention outside of America, he/she must research the intellectual property rights of other nations and apply for a patent with their governing authorities.

What is GPS

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides time and location information in any weather condition anywhere on the Earth or close to the planet as long as there aren't any obstructions between the receiver and four or more GPS satellites. The system bestows powerful abilities upon the military, apart from serving several civil and commercial uses. Maintained by the government of the United States, it is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.

The entire navigation system consists of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the United States Department of Defense. The primary objective of GPS was to aid the military, but in the 1980s, the government made it available for civilian use.

The correlation between GPS & patenting

GPS patents are the exclusive rights bestowed upon the inventors of GPS technologies and GPS vehicle tracker devices by the United States Government. Patents prevent other parties and individuals from producing, commercializing, or selling the products for a specific time frame. GPS has become profoundly more advanced due to so many patented inventions. Here are some of the most noteworthy ones.

1. Multi-functional - Some units have additional functions, such as e-readers and MP3 players.
2. Touchscreen - Modern GPS car tracking devices have touchscreen capability. With just one button, they are simple enough to use for anyone.
3. Fewer dead zones - With 32 fully-operational satellites instead of the initial 24, only a few dead zones are left in the world.
4. Better communication - Using high-powered inter-atmospheric transmitters has improved communications between control stations and satellites.

How consumers benefit from patented technology

Some people believe that a strong patent harms consumers, while others claim that a powerful patent inhibits innovation. However these concepts can't be further from the truth.

Consumers benefit the most when patents are the strongest and act to block actors. Blocked competitors can't copy and flood the market with cheap knock-offs or duplicate products. Additionally, the existence of strong patents ensures competitors are blocked. Besides, incremental innovation is not always possible. If all a copycat does is put a slight slant on a patented product, the underlying patent will capture the individual's actions as infringement.

Strong patents never deter innovators. In fact, they inspire innovators to innovate in more grandiose ways. While strong patents ward off wrongdoers, there are still those who use these patented ideas and create their own products. Just because the product or service is new for someone does not mean it is novel for everyone. Also, if a copycat infringes an existing patented technology, he/she is not contributing anything to society's knowledge.

When one player in the market acquires a strong patent position associated with a desirable product or service, others must respond. Otherwise, they will lose their market share. Indeed, gaining market share is difficult, but it is much easier to lose it. Strong patent rights force technology companies to work constantly to test their limits and improve. Weak patents, on the other hand, bring nothing but baseless and banal innovation.

Vyncs is patented

Vyncs, a brand highly recognized and revered in the States, is a patented product. It has over twenty-five years of research and development in connected car technology and data science to back it up. The work originated from the early research on vehicle telematics data management and analysis in collaboration with Daimler-Chrysler in 1996 when the co-founder of Vyncs, Dr. Hillol Kargupta, was at the United States Los Alamos National Laboratory. The work continued, and the technology improved with time, evolving with several patents, such as US Patent 7715961 and 8478514.

Patent No. 8478514

This patent, held by Dr. Hillol Kargupta, improves upon the methods and systems of GPS by utilizing mobile and distributed data stream mining algorithms for mining continuously generated data from the different components of a vehicle.

So stay safe by using reliable, patented technology such as Vyncs to protect not only your car, but also you and your family.

Sources

1. https://ipwatchdog.com/2015/11/24/theory-patents-strong-patents-benefit-consumers/id=61341/
2. https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2014/06/article_0002.html
3. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/patent.asp
4. https://www.gps.gov/systems/gps
5. https://www.upcounsel.com/gps-patents#:~:text=technologies%20and%20devices.-,GPS%20patents%20refer%20to%20the%20exclusive%20rights%20that%20the%20United,for%20a%20specific%20time%20frame.
6. https://patents.google.com/patent/US8478514B2/en?oq=8478514
7. https://patents.google.com/patent/US5379224A/en

Fleet managers almost always have too much on their plate. They must ensure timely deliveries, coordinate driver schedules, and deal with many other logistical challenges. Additionally, the ever-increasing demand for e-commerce will make up an unprecedented 22% of the total retail sales worldwide this year. When too much pressure piles up, following the best practices for performing a task can improve operational efficiency.

Why telematics is mandatory

Budget restrictions and resource limitations make it difficult for many fleets to maintain and improve operational capabilities. Increased costs, such as soaring energy prices, elevated cost of living, and inflation, affect 73%of fleets negatively, as per Verizon Business.

Shifting to fleet tracker devices and fleet management software is an exceptionally effective add-on for enterprises. With the right fleet management telematics solution, you gain the following advantages.

• Better fuel usage and efficiency
• Reduced operating costs
• Fewer accidents (longer vehicle lifespan)
• Reduced labor costs
• Greater transparency in asset tracking
• Enhanced resilience in the supply chain

These benefits prove that using new technologies, such as telematics, should be the first step to improving the performance of fleets and meeting goals. Actually, it's a requirement for most of the fleet management best practices discussed below.

1. Leverage data to make better choices

Gathering data you can convert into actionable insight is crucial for you to be effective in fleet management. If you track the correct data, you can improve almost every aspect of the supply chain and make informed decisions and the right choices about technological adoption.

You will always encounter data or metrics specific to your industry, but there is more fleet management data a commercial fleet can benefit from.

• Fuel tracking -This metric means tracking fueling dates and locations and fuel type, quantity, and cost.
• Vehicle maintenance -Scheduled and unscheduled maintenance support and fleet vehicle repairs are part of this metric. It also includes creating vehicle replacement cycles. Vehicle maintenance also incorporates collecting data about the work needed, maintenance dates, spare parts required, the overall cost of the components, and labor charges. Effective fleet maintenance lengthens the lifespan of the vehicles.
• Purchasing and leasing -This metric points to the contracts and warranties for a purchased fleet vehicle.
• Vehicle usage -Using this metric, record who signs out of vehicles and the time, date, and mileage of a trip. Monitoring the odometer is equally important.
• Driver licensing -This metric is for the issuance and expiration dates of driver's licenses and heavy-duty vehicle certifications.
• Driver performance -This metric records valuable data concerning accidents, such as time, location, and the nature of the accident.


2. Utilize driver logs

Fleet managers may deem it necessary to track every vehicle as it comes and goes from the establishment. However, it is unnecessary. Instead, managers should focus on tracking key transactions and giving drivers a required logging checklist when their shift ends.

Conversely, managers can make it an official policy to finish an inspection checklist before they are given the keys to a vehicle. Driver logs improve fleet tracking and cut vehicle maintenance costs. Additionally, this practice encourages better accountability.

3. Digitize the dispatching system

Proper fleet dispatching is a challenging task. If done manually, the dispatching process may get riddled with errors. Additionally, it can be very time-consuming as it needs fleet managers to coordinate with various stakeholders. That is why fleet dispatching management must be digitized.

Digitized systems are beneficial to centralization, greater organization, and closer collaboration. This improves communication channels across the supply chain and keeps everyone informed.

At the same time, a digitized approach automates some of the repetitive tasks and workflows often handled by dispatchers, such as scheduling or sending updates to drivers. Furthermore, an automated dispatching system makes it unnecessary to go through assignments, orders, and invoices by hand.

4. Prioritize preventative upkeep

Waiting until an automobile experiences major failure is not a feasible strategy. Thankfully, those days are over, and this hauls in another fleet management skill. Managers must take advantage of the advancements in the telematics capabilities offered by vendors. These technologies let fleet managers act more proactively instead of reactively. Furthermore, specific devices, such as environmental sensors, can monitor the condition of goods in transit.

IoT-enabled telematics systems can capture different types of fleet data, including speed, location, acceleration, OBD fault codes, fuel consumption, engine condition, etc.

This ability to monitor the condition of commercial fleets and the goods in transit gives you the benefit of pinpointing and solving issues before they worsen. The upfront costs of preventative maintenance are high, but the long-term payoff is worth every penny because you can avoid expensive repairs.

5. Fleet size and usage optimization

For fleet managers dealing with small to mid-sized commercial fleets, achieving a capacity balance is crucial to proper management. If you have more vehicles than required, you will spend more than you need. On the other hand, having just a few automobiles will inevitably lead to downtime and driver burnout.

For larger fleets, inefficiencies are much more likely due to large-scale operations. With too much logistical activity, bottlenecks are common. Sooner rather than later, they will materialize and stop you from achieving your goals.

That is why it is of the utmost importance for fleet managers to seek out ways to improve fleet optimization and vehicle usage. There are ways to reduce or eliminate fleet inefficiencies, including performing timely audits, adopting route optimization systems powered by GPS, educating drivers, and communicating with stakeholders regularly.

6. Driver behavior monitoring

According to Skypatrol, Fleet managers should prioritize improving driver safety. In reality, it should be their primary objective because even a non-fatal accident can cost a company up to $75,000. If the incident is fatal, you will have a tragedy on your hands, which means you must foster better driving habits among your drivers as soon as possible. You can use driver monitoring systems, OBD-II trackers, external cameras, dashcams, and similar technologies.

Researchers from KeepTrucking claim that if a fleet uses dashcams powered by Artificial Intelligence or fleet vehicle GPS trackers, it can reduce its accident frequency can be reduced by 22% and instances of unsafe driving by 56%.

7. Using multiple fleet management tools

Combining productivity technologies with fleet management systems can help fleet managers meet their ROI goals. Just think about it - software programs and devices capable of tracking vehicle location data are valuable. However, when you connect them with transportation management systems and data aggregation tools, you can automate workflows and even streamline service-level agreement management.

To that end, fleet managers must consider how well their fleet management solutions will blend in with their existing solutions. Furthermore, you must assess the ways these technologies will benefit operational potential.

8. KPI tracking

Proper fleet management involves measuring success constantly, and the best way to do it is to track key performance indicators. Keeping tabs on the most essential KPIs of fleet management is mandatory. Those KPIs are where your competencies lie and where operational shortfalls exist. From there, you determine what works for you. Simultaneously, you can diagnose bottlenecks and fix them.

Some of the most important KPIs of fleet management include vehicle uptime, vehicle utilization rate, ETAs, fuel costs, fuel efficiency, and vehicle total cost of ownership.

Remove the technological layers of fleet management

The best practices elucidated above demonstrate how you can improve your operations just by incorporating new habits, such as developing KPIs to measure success and using logs. Moreover, effective fleet management demands a closer look at all the technologies available today. Here are a few noteworthy examples.

• Autonomous driving
• System architecture
• Smart video telematics
• Advanced location intelligence
• Zero-emission vehicles
• Open application programming interfaces
• Advanced analytics

Good fleet management requires you to weigh your options by scrutinizing different fleet management solution providers, such as Vyncs. Visit us to learn how we have been supporting fleet businesses across the USA and other parts of the world and what we can do for you.

Sources:

1. 1)https://www.abiresearch.com/blogs/2023/01/01/74-technology-trends-for-2023/
2. https://blog.fleetcomplete.com/what-is-the-actual-cost-of-a-fleet-accident-with-infographic/
3. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220317005203/en/Transportation-Study-AI-Significantly-Reduces-Accidents-and-Safety-Incidents
4. https://www.abiresearch.com/blogs/2023/01/30/fleet-management-kpis/
5. https://www.abiresearch.com/research-resources/research-highlight/strategies-for-fleet-management-plan/
6. https://www.abiresearch.com/market-research/product/7780694-iot-market-tracker-fleet-management/
7. https://www.abiresearch.com/market-research/product/7780071-fleet-space-raises-capital-for-nanosatelli/
8. https://www.here.com/solutions/fleet-management/shaping-the-future-of-fleet-management

Due to the changes in emission standards enforced by the US government, many fleet managers want to switch to electric vehicles or EVs for fleets. If you plan to go down the same road, you need to understand the particulars of the transition.

Transportation contributes to approximately 20% of all CO2 emissions because of burning fossil fuels. Then again, vehicular travel is indisputably mandatory in numerous industries, including transportation, construction, and the economy in general. EV use can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which is one of the reasons fleet managers have been planning to shift to an electric fleet.

The advantages

From a business point of view, there are several reasons that you must consider when you upgrade your current fleet with EVs, but, of course, there are a few obvious advantages to using electric vehicles in your fleet in some capacity.

• A cleaner fleet

Enough has been said and claimed about the harmfulness of traditional fuels and how they affect the environment. Naturally, adopting to a environmental friendly approach by switching to electric vehicles within the fleet is an excellent way to showcase your commitment to helping save the environment. Investing in an entirely electric fleet connected by fleet vehicle GPS trackers can work in your favor because it will become an exceptional selling point for potential clients.

• Cheaper to maintain and run

If you hope to invest in EVs only for business purposes, you should know that an electric vehicle is much cheaper to maintain and run than anything else. EVs have just a few moving parts compared to automobiles running on diesel or petrol. Therefore, an EV will need significantly less servicing and fewer parts to fix when anything goes wrong. Electric vehicles can work without exhaust systems, radiators, starter motors, etc., which reduces how much you pay over a vehicle's life span.

• Fuel consumption tracking

Most people know just how important it is to fleet managers to track and measure fuel consumption. These people need mandatory access to an entire host of data associated with the fuel consumption of each vehicle. Keeping tabs on the problem-ridden areas of a business regarding costs is essential to ensure the fleet runs smoothly.

The disadvantages

Despite all the pros of electric vehicles, there are a few cons that you should be aware of.

• Overcharged batteries

One of the most significant pitfalls of electric vehicles in their current state is that their batteries may sustain damages if overcharged frequently. EV batteries work like phone batteries - the latter will not hold enough charge if charged more often than necessary. Most EV manufacturers suggest charging the battery to around 80% capacity. If you need the entire battery capacity, you can take it to 100%, but avoid doing that as much as possible.

• Can't cover long distances on one charge

Another significant disadvantage of electric vehicles is that they can't cover long distances on one battery charge. That is why it is especially difficult for fleet managers looking to replace conventional vehicles with EVs. After all, they can't use their fleet for long-haul deliveries.

• Not enough charging stations

Since an EV cannot cover long distances, it will need to be charged mid-way. However, there is a significant lack of charging stations across the nation. The alternative fuel locator of the US Department of Energy claims;

1. There are 129,598 EV charging ports available to the public. These ports are spread over 50,401 public charging stations.
2. There are 14,673 private charging ports over 3,743 personal charging stations, excluding residential charging points.
3. There are 290 planned public EV charging ports along with 76 planned public charging stations.
4. There are 361 additional planned private EV charging ports over an extra 79 planned personal EV charging stations.

Indeed, all these public and private EV charging stations are currently available, but they are not enough to cater to the millions of electric vehicles that need charging.

Easing the transition

Is your business ready to prioritize the shift to an electric fleet? Start by considering it a change management project that is deemed an agency-wide effort. The first thing to do is make sure your employees understand the need for change and your organization's future vision. To conclude the project successfully, you will need a diverse group of people to work together, identify challenges, and carve a path forward. Collaborate with enthusiastic visionaries and cautious analysts to forge practical solutions.

Humble beginnings, large thoughts

Local governments that have transitioned their fleets to EVs, claim the process works best in phases. Fleet managers should initially focus on transitioning a specific vehicle type to electric, such as small SUVs or sedans. Focusing on only one type of vehicle lets you assess its capabilities and limitations for covering different distances or for multiple uses quickly. This provides baseline data that makes the task of training employees on the use of new EVs easier. Simultaneously, you can manage expectations relative to a fuel-powered vehicle.

A phased conversion timeline can start with a modest portion of the fleet and then increase the percentage of EVs steadily to your organization's established goals. Some local governments are phasing in this transition by adhering to multi-pronged procurement strategies: purchasing EVs for agency uses, targeting hybrid vehicles for other uses, and finding renewable diesel vehicles for heavy uses.

During the earliest stages of transition, fleet managers may not have the in-house staff expertise needed to maintain EVs. Some agencies initially outsource EV maintenance by paying for service warranties with vehicles or taking the automobiles to a trusted mechanic and dealerships. Thankfully, the US Department of Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office calculates that the maintenance costs of EVs are about 40% of the cost of maintaining regular fuel-powered vehicles.

Options of procuring

There is a strong demand for EVs right now. This situation makes it challenging for manufacturers to deliver vehicles to buyers quickly. Fleet managers know well beforehand when an automobile needs to be replaced, and someone who plans ahead and is open to exploring alternative procurement sources will have more chances of succeeding in finding the right EV within a predetermined time frame.

The Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative is a one-stop, online procurement portal that provides local governments access to bid on EVs competitively and charging infrastructure. The members of the WSU Green Transportation Program can further assist regional governments in identifying EV sources.

EV charging infrastructure plans

Having convenient access to charging infrastructure is mandatory for the transition to an EV fleet. Towns, counties, and cities must work with their electric utility establishments to determine the optimal siting and electricity upgrades necessary for fleet charging stations. By introducing a utility to the conversation early, an agency can plan in advance for managing and shifting electric loads to accommodate EV fleets.

Several facilities based in Washington are offering incentives to install charging stations, including Snohomish PUD, Puget Sound Energy, Avista, and Energy Northwest. Additionally, a few electric utilities may be able to provide startup charging infrastructure at zero cost

The phenomenal efforts of the many leaders in the public and private sectors deserve recognition too. For instance, Massachusetts and California governments aims to achieve 100% EV sales by 2035. Here are a few more stats.

• Uber and Lyft aim to be 100% electric by 2030.
• Xcel Energy wants to invest $110 million to prepare for 20% EV market penetration in Colorado by 2030.
• Amazon, FedEx, and UPS aim to undertake massive fleet electrification projects.
• GM plans to spend $27 billion across the world through 2025. It also wants to deploy 20 new EV models in North America.

Utilize helpful resources

There are many excellent resources for local governments and businesses transitioning to an EV fleet. The staff members work extensively with local governments and can support organizations in taking the next step in fleet transition. Whether you are just starting to consider this issue or already on your way, you can benefit from government-run programs or anything similar running in your state. Such programs host meetings for public fleet managers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders so that they can share experiences and get updates on funding and other opportunities.

Endnote

The fame of electric vehicles is more than a call to improve the environment - it is the way of the future. With in-depth research and proper planning, shifting to EVs in fleets will prove to be a valuable asset and an inspired move. Fleet managers planning for an electric future today have put themselves in a position to bolster their future successes.

Sources:

1. https://autotrends.org/electric-fleet-vehicles-pros-cons/
2. https://mrsc.org/stay-informed/mrsc-insight/february-2023/tips-for-transitioning-fleet-vehicles-to-electric#:~:text=Convenient%20access%20to%20charging%20infrastructure,needed%20for%20fleet%20charging%20stations.
3. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/net-zero-emissions-in-us-government-fleets
4. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/building-the-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure-america-needs

Professional truckers play a crucial role in fleet businesses - a role that often goes underappreciated. They are responsible for delivering goods to the intended destination safely, securely, and on time - every time. It's their hard work that keeps a fleet-based business moving.

However, the pressures faced by truck drivers continue to grow. Today, they deal with long work hours, extreme work stress, legal changes, uncertainties, and supply chain crises. Apart from that, the industry currently faces an ever-increasing driver shortage, putting more strain on the drivers out on the road.

Census.gov says that right now there are approximately 3.6 million professional people who keep supply chains working properly and businesses operational. Fleet managers should show appreciation to their drivers. When employers show gratitude towards their employees, they tend to be more productive and stay with the company longer.

Importance of rewards and recognition

Recognition and rewards not only give you a way to show appreciation and gratitude to fleet drivers, but they also give you a way to streamline your drivers' goals and behaviors with the company's visions and values. You foster a positive work culture, improve satisfaction and commitment, and reduce turnover and absence by recognizing and rewarding your drivers. Recognition and rewards even bolster driver safety, customer service, and efficiency. These things usually translate into higher profits and lower overhead costs for your business.

Types of rewards and recognition

When it is about recognizing the deeds of fleet drivers and rewarding them, you can't adhere to a one-size-fits-all approach. After all, preferences and expectations change from one person to the next. However, the rewards and recognition should be timely, relevant, fair, and meaningful. There are various rewards, including financially uplifting bonuses, such as extra time off or equipment upgrades, to choose from. Formal recognition in the form of certificates or trophies and informal recognition like a thank-you note or a shout-out are welcome.

How to show appreciation

Try one or more of the following ideas to show your appreciation.

• Meals and gifts - Opting for a "thank you" dinner or lunch for drivers and their families can help them unwind, have fun, and help you show how much their service means to your brand. You may also consider giving gifts.
• Shed light on accomplishments on social media - Pick one or more drivers and thank them personally while spotlighting them on social media platforms to make them feel special.
• Know their thoughts - Check driver feedback about what works and what does not. After that, make changes to improve their jobs based on what they have said. It lets you show that you value their dedication and want to invest in their well-being.
• Reward programs - By establishing a system of rewarding drivers for outstanding contributions, you create a culture of gratitude and appreciation.

Technology helps drivers thrive

There is another way to thank your drivers. To do that, consider implementing upgraded fleet management technology to help drivers alleviate stress and increase productivity.

• Enhance efficiency - A GPS fleet trackercan provide alerts when a driver is in the cabin to ensure best performance. High-resolution maps give managers and drivers insight into vehicle locations to help keep everyone safe.
• Improve driver training - Managers can coach productivity improvements with integrated GPS tracking. You can set up formalized programs on safe-driving using data to encourage drivers to get high ratings and earn rewards.
• More visibility - Fleet management devices and systems can pinpoint vehicle locations in real-time. If a vehicle and its driver don't return on time, telematics solutions can identify their location and help fleet managers determine if the person needs support.
• Better maintenance - Vehicle maintenance dictates fleet safety directly. Fleet tracker devices allow fleet managers to monitor vehicle health and schedule routine maintenance. Completing these inspections at specific predetermined intervals help reduce future problems on the road.

Communicating and delivering the rewards

Communication and delivery are crucial to the success of a rewards and recognition program. Talk to your drivers clearly and consistently about the goals, expectations, and benefits of the program. Furthermore, you must deliver the rewards promptly and personally to make your drivers feel valued and appreciated. There are multiple channels, such as newsletters, emails, meetings, and social media, to communicate and deliver rewards. These platforms also allow you to provide regular feedback and updates on the performance and progress of the drivers. Don't forget to celebrate and share driver achievements with the other members of the team and company. Finally, customized and personalize the rewards according to the needs and preferences of the drivers.

Evaluating and improving the rewards

Continuous evaluations and improvements make the reward program effective. The best way to monitor and measure the impact of your program is to assess driver motivation, engagement, retention and solicit feedback from drivers and stakeholders. Apart from that, you may survey the drivers or interview them to determine how much satisfied they are with the program. Another method is to compare driver performance, retention, and turnover rates before and after initiating the program. Fleet managers also need to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the rewards facility to make necessary adjustments. In the end, remember to test new ideas and innovations can help to keep drivers interested.

Generosity goes a long way

Your drivers work hard while navigating various challenges, from changes in the law to driver shortages and supply chain problems. It's vital that you make them feel acknowledged for the good job they do. Take the time to show your generosity, as it can go a long way.

Technologically enhanced solutions like Vyncs can help you further in watching your drivers' backs. Vyncs is a connected vehicle management solution that has been the first choice of hundreds and thousands of fleet managers and drivers in US for decades.

Sources

1) https://www.verizonconnect.com/resources/article/truck-driver-appreciation-week/
2) https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-motivate-fleet-drivers-rewards-recognition/
3) https://hbr.org/2020/01/the-little-things-that-make-employees-feel-appreciated/

The role of a fleet manager is more critical than ever for business efficiency. Usually, a person on the receiving end of a delivery does not pay much attention to how it reaches them on time. A lot goes into the process, starting from the warehouse to the delivery vehicle and finally to the recipient. However, as a fleet manager, you can,t avoid paying close attention to every little detail. A fleet manager stays behind the screen and manages all tasks no matter how small it may be. These people ensure each task stays on track to fulfill business objectives.

About fleet managers

Who is a fleet manager? A fleet manager is a person responsible for a company,s vehicle fleet. It incorporates every aspect, from hiring new people to maintaining fleet vehicle efficiency.

Each fleet has its own exclusive set of tasks and challenges navigated by fleet managers. A fleet manager checks fleet operations within the company to help the business run efficiently and safely. Simultaneously, the managers oversee compliance with the laws and regulations.

Fleet managers are also responsible for directing and managing the expenses of the vehicles owned or leased by their organizations. They even create policies depending on company requirements to address driver behavior and vehicle usage, apart from setting driver schedules.

About the job of fleet managers

While the daily tasks of fleet managers may differ, they have a few fundamental, strategic responsibilities that include promoting and raising safety awareness, maximizing fuel efficiency, and reducing operational costs. All of these duties are directed toward minimizing the impact of fleet operations on the company's bottom line.

Responsibilities and duties

As already mentioned, the responsibilities of fleet managers tend to differ. Here are some of the duties they perform.

Acquiring vehicles

A fleet manager negotiates the prices and demands with manufacturers and engineers technical solutions, particularly for trucks and equipment. It is a vital aspect of reducing costs. Considering the vehicle,s job and the load it must carry, it is required in forecasting and planning new vehicle purchases.

Fuel program design and management

A fleet has three most significant expenses, and fuel expense is one of them. Managing a preferred fuel network, fleet card program, and on-site fueling with suppliers impacts a fleet,s cost per mile directly. Tools like fuel reporting, gamification, and telematics influence drivers to buy fuel according to their policy.

Maintenance program design and management

Fleet managers set preventive maintenance policies depending on vehicle type, geography, and vocation as it dictates driver safety, saves repair costs, and optimizes resale value.

Spearheading safety programs

Fleet managers prioritize safety because they consider it a passion. Whenever an incident occurs, negligence and brand damage contribute to the costs incurred by organizations.

Partnering with the executive team and the health and safety office, the fleet manager must limit a company,s liability, bolster safety within the communities they operate, and improve drivers' lives. Any program that improves driving behaviors and reduces accidents also reduces fuel and maintenance expenses.

Fleet metric tracking

Fleet managers typically use fleet vehicle trackers and software to monitor fleet activities. The work routine of a manager includes going through daily, weekly, and monthly reports while measuring performance in areas such as routing, idling, fuel consumption, asset utilization, and driver safety.

Understanding compliance and managing it

Staying updated with legislation changes and new regulations lets fleet companies maintain fleet compliance and avoid hefty fines. Examples of vehicles subject to compliance regulations include motor carriers, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, and food. Most of the heavier commercial vehicles must undergo inspections and report on them.

Vehicle re-marketing

Vehicle lifespan management and coordinating replacement with the timing of the sale are mandatory in achieving optimal re-marketing value. Keeping the vehicle in a clean, well-maintained condition and all the accessories it was delivered with will help sell it at a better price.

Core competencies or key skills

Fleet managers need high-quality operational experience and skills to oversee their primary tasks. These include the following.

Digital analysis

Knowing the particulars of using software and fleet technology, such as dash cams and fleet vehicle GPS trackers, is crucial to tracking performance trends, predicting mechanical failures, minimizing downtime, and providing valuable insight into the vehicle,s replacement cycle. Staying on top of reports, understanding systems, and following up on the insights provided is essential when managing assets.

Managing the business

Building and maintaining collaborative relations with internal and external stakeholders, staying updated with regulatory requirements, and creating company and driver policies help avoid incurring fines and maximize safety.

Comprehending finances

Fleet managers create fleet budgets that require understanding the business, proper analysis, and bench-marking within the industry and current economic conditions.

Familiar with security

All executives, including fleet managers, should be capable of providing cybersecurity. Fleet managers must know the tricks of evaluating security requirements when integrating data into their companies, environments, including partnering with primary stakeholders who oversee data security and privacy for their organization.

An evolving role

Evolution in technologies and vehicle types push fleet managers to amplify their skill sets to a new level. There is an increased demand for technological knowledge and use of data, analytics, and strategic forecasting. The evolving role of a fleet manager will need the following additional abilities.

• Should understand analytics and make decisions based on the information.
• Must be a superb communicator who can cooperate with all departments in the company, including C-suite executives, drivers, and stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Can make perceptive recommendations to reduce exposure and create opportunities to capitalize on industry developments.
• Can identify and manage technology, sustainability, telematics, logistics, and safety.
• Should consider how new laws will change fleet operations. Legislation may also include taxes or penalties associated with carbon footprint or fuel consumption, which may impact the types of vehicles purchased to comply with the new standards for fuel consumption.

Challenges faced and ways to overcome

Every job is challenging in its own way, and things are not different for fleet managers. Here are the top three challenges fleet managers deal with.

1. Cost reduction: The fleet manager must be capable of analyzing and making suggestions while considering fluctuating vehicle costs, fuel market volatility, and all unexpected expenses.

2. Reduce fuel consumption: Handling fuel costs and identifying ways to decrease these expenses is mandatory. Fuel prices are not easy to forecast. As a result, budget planning becomes a challenge.

3. Improved driver safety and productivity: Using technology to establish driver productivity can lead to driver safety challenges, which, in turn, may make driver education on the proper use of technology imperative. Managers should create and manage fleet and driver safety policies to reduce incidents and the associated repair costs, liability, and downtime.

The future of fleet management

Researchers stated that the market size of global fleet management will possibly grow to $52.4 billion by 2027 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.5% (Markets and Markets). Fleet managers will keep playing a bigger, more crucial role in companies as electrification, OEM, and sustainability gain more popularity.

By cutting costs, improving savings, and directing operations and policies that impact business revenue and the bottom line, fleet managers will continue to be important and valued. They will keep playing an integral role in every organization that needs them.

Fleet managers can resort to telematics solutions from Vyncs to ease their daily tasks. If you wish to learn more about Vyncs and how it can support your fleet, check out our Vyncs Fleet product.

Sources:

1)  https://www.geotab.com/blog/what-is-a-fleet-manager/

2)  https://www.nafa.org/certification/certification-program-choices/

3)  https://www.fleetmanagementweekly.com/nafa-announces-major-partnership-brazilian-fleet-association-parar/

4)  https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/fleet-management-systems-market-1020.html#:~:text=Get%20in%2Ddepth%20analysis%20of

When it’s about fleet management, the presence of the right technology tools is key to achieving operational efficiency. A GPS fleet tracker is usually the go-to technology for fleets, but such a device comes with other useful features you can utilize as a fleet manager. One such element is geofencing - a highly versatile tool with many benefits.

What is Geofencing?

Geofencing is the practice of using GPS or RFID tech to create virtual perimeters around real-world locations. These boundaries are called geofences or geozones and are exclusively available with fleet tracking solutions and associated devices. A geozone triggers user-defined responses whenever a fleet vehicle with an OBD-II tracker enters or exits a specific area.

Vyncs geofencing lets users set up geofences from their accounts to know when their vehicles enter or leave certain locations. Unlike other OBD-II gps trackers, Vyncs offers a more powerful, any-shape geofence. With it, you can create a polygonal geozone instead of just a circular fence.

Fleets use geofencing for multiple purposes, such as automatically logging the data when their telematics-connected vehicles arrive at or leave from job sites, properties, and other locations. This automation separates geofencing-based automobile tracking from more basic forms of GPS monitoring fleets use.

Enhance fleet operations with geozones

Now that we learned what geofencing is and what it can do, how can we utilize this tool to actually enhance fleet operations?

1.Timely alerts after unauthorized activity

Vehicle theft has increased significantly in the USA. Over 700,000 instances of car theft were reported four years ago (FBI Table 1). For a fleet manager, responding quickly to a potential theft can be the difference between recovering an operational asset and losing it forever.

Fleet managers can set up geozones easily around areas frequented during regular operations. Once a vehicle leaves the fenced zone, the manager will be alerted. After

that, the manager can decide to check the GPS location of the automobile and communicate with the driver to ensure the asset is in safe hands.

2.Travel-specific data collection and analysis

Fleet managers always search for ways to improve operational efficiency and optimize driver routes. Before making such decisions, fleet owners should gather baseline data on the current operations and pinpoint important metrics, such as travel time. This information can be difficult to acquire without separating travel data from operational data.

For instance, delivery drivers can complete a trip relatively quickly but will take more time doing actual deliveries. Geozones facilitate identifying the time drivers take to travel between points of interest and segregate the data for optimization.

3.Keeping an eye out for safety

Data on crimes available publicly makes it easy for fleet managers to pinpoint the locations where vehicle theft or other threats are more likely to occur. Fleet managers usually avoid such areas during operations, but it can be difficult sometimes to avoid these locations entirely.

Fleet managers concerned with safety use geozones to mark these areas and alert drivers and command teams to be more attentive while passing through these locations. You can also set up geozone alerts to inform teams once a driver passes through a dangerous area safely.

4.Spreading out the fleet

Drivers often need to go far from time to time. During these trips, they usually cater to a few specific routes or geographical areas only. It facilitates fleet owners to spend their resources more efficiently and ensure vehicles are not traveling unnecessarily, especially when another driver is better positioned to finish the task.

Geofencing enables businesses to assign specific areas to drivers and receive alerts when these locations overlap or when a driver is diverted onto a less efficient route. During such circumstances, fleet managers can depend on vehicle monitoring devices and software to help drivers cover long distances without overlapping.

5.Ease of administration

Fleet managers have to oversee their operations, and for that purpose, they call their drivers constantly over the phone or refresh their fleet management system or dashboard to view their fleet's current position. Apart from depending heavily on manual processes, this approach is time-consuming for all parties involved.

With geofencing, fleet managers can monitor their personnel and determine the ETA without making a single phone call. By drawing geozones around rest areas, loading zones, job sites, and other locations, fleet managers can receive automatic reports of their drivers’ activities. It lets fleet managers focus on other activities while remaining informed.

6.Timesheet and project hour accuracy

If an organization compensates its personnel every hour, it can benefit from geozones. It will streamline payroll processing, for starters. Paper-based timesheets can have mistakes and are prone to being lost or damaged. However, referencing the logs of when drivers cross through geozones makes it easier to see the precise job times.

This clarity allows the finance teams a sense of relief. They don’t have to deal with paper documents, which, in turn, lets them calculate payroll more confidently and accurately.

Geofencing with Vyncs

Whether it’s about improving fleet and driver visibility or getting alerted of unwanted vehicle activity, the versatility of geofencing makes it an incredible tool for various fleets. Visit Vyncs to find out more about how you can benefit from geozones, vehicle tracking, and more.

Moving from high school to college can change things for students, big time! Many of them will move away from their family and friends for the first time in their lives. Of course, some will commute from home, but others will stay on campus because they will shift to a new state or country.

Regardless of the distance, parents will experience the anxiety of sending their kids away. It is never easy for them to let go of their children whom they have kept out of harm’s way at an arm’s length for years. Now that the parents can’t cater to the needs of their children, they will need some reassurance to sleep at night.

To do so, the parents might set an agreement with their children to call or text them periodically. However, there might be situations where they may not be able to contact their parents immediately. Their phone may have died, may be in a location with poor cell service, or in a loud environment preventing them from hearing their phone. To resolve this issue, parents may search for other options such as a GPS tracker. There are apps, portable devices, and vehicle trackers. GPS tracking apps and portable devices’ main feature is to track the location of the person or object, while a vehicle GPS tracking device can track the vehicle’s location and many other features that is very useful for drivers.

A car tracker for teenagers, particularly an OBD-II variant, is a small plug-and-play device that you can install in your kid’s car with ease. Just plug it into the OBD-II port to collect data about vehicle location, speed, etc. Most OBD GPS trackers operate similarly, but the electronic components can differ in type and quality.

Vehicle GPS devices can be beneficial in several ways. For starters, they can collect vehicle information once plugged in. Parents can monitor their children and how they drive remotely in real-time. Some devices can even detect problems within the cars.

Vehicle trackers can also improve the driving behavior of the person behind the wheel. It warns you the moment your teen accelerates rapidly or applies the brakes harshly.

Coming to an agreement

Even with all the perks of GPS tracking, the real challenge for a parent is to get their children to agree to use such a device. You must be open about why you want to use a GPS tracker. Some tips to bridge the gap are:

1. No helicopter parenting

You must be familiar with this term, which refers to parents being overly involved with their children's lives. This intense focus can negatively affect a child’s mental health, coping skills, self-image, etc.

Yes, engaged parenting has many benefits for kids, including feelings of acceptance and love, growth opportunities, and better self-confidence. However, there is a problem - once fear dictates your parenting and you start taking decisions based on what might happen, it becomes difficult to determine what kids learn without you holding their hands.

Until you give up this nature, your teen will hesitate to let you monitor them from afar, even if they know you only intend to keep them safe.

2. Be open

Communicate with your teenager openly that you intend to install a vehicle tracking system. While some brands fabricate discreet devices you can hide inside the vehicle, your kids are probably more tech-savvy than you are. Naturally, it will not take long for them to pry it out.

Additionally, intentionally hiding the fact that you’re attempting to monitor them will incite hard feelings. To avoid such a situation, just explain to your child why you want to install this system and the benefits you see. For instance, if they have a medical condition that strikes without warning, they can send a quick message to their parents and the parents can help them since they know their exact location.

3. Set boundaries

Let your teenager know what you will track and what you won’t. For instance, you might want to find out where your child is when he/she goes out with friends - something he/she will do often when in college. However, you won’t track him/her when he/she drives within the college premises or within a specific boundary you set around the educational facility with the geozone feature .

By setting clear boundaries, you show them that you respect their privacy and trust them.

Situations you can help teenagers avoid

The ultimate objective of vehicle tracking is to keep children safe on the road. Parents send their teenagers to colleges to study. They will not mind if their kids get into scrapes while playing a round of ball game, but they will never want teens to end up in the hospital after a car accident.

GPS trackers can curb such situations by:

• Eliminating distractions- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describes distracted driving as an activity that diverts the attention of the person sitting behind the wheel. This activity can be anything from texting to talking on the phone, eating, drinking, chatting with the passengers, fiddling with the infotainment systems, etc. With GPS trackers, parents can track their teens’ locations and find out how they handle their cars in real time.
• Eliminating speeding - The NHTSA also claims that almost one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities over the last two decades happened due to speeding. A GPS tracker can be the perfect solution if you’re worried about your teen’s penchant for driving fast. These devices make it possible to determine the speed of a car remotely without being in it with the driver. So, set a speed limit and ask your kid not to exceed it.
• Eliminating rash driving - Rash driving is not only about speeding. Hard braking and turning are also unwanted driving behaviors. While you can overlook the occasional hard braking and sharp turning during emergencies, those should not occur regularly. Teens indulge in joyriding, but it doesn’t have to involve rash driving. You can monitor all these driving habits remotely if you connect an OBD-II vehicle tracker to your child’s car.

How can Vyncs help

Transitioning from high school to college is not just about moving to a higher level of education. In several ways, it signifies the change from childhood to adulthood. Naturally, if you expect your teen to become a responsible adult, their on-road behavior should reflect the same.

Vyncs can be your best friend, as well as that of your kid. It can do everything described above and more. Whenever your teen needs support after the car breaks down on the roads, the Vyncs mobile app will provide them with roadside assistance. Also, students often forget about vehicle maintenance because they are new drivers and their parents have been taking care of their cars for them. Vyncs vehicle maintenance features will inform them once it spots something amiss.

With college comes the freedom of adulthood, but it’s always better to stay safe than sorry. That’s where Vyncs can help.

The thought of losing yourself in the heart of Mother Nature’s mind-boggling paradise excites you, doesn’t it? You’re not the only one. Hundreds and thousands of like-minded individuals drool at the thought of jet-setting to far-off lands. Maybe you’re planning a trip to another country, but if you live in the States, take a couple of moments to sit down and ponder on the fact that your own nation is one of the prettiest places to travel.

Many people do not consider the US when planning a trip. It’s probably because they think they have seen everything. However, you'll find more than a few hidden gems spread throughout the United States that are often unnoticed. So, let’s explore some unique places that aren’t crowded and budget-friendly.

Here are a few lesser-known, almost-invisible destinations that appeal to travelers in search of something different from their ventures. Many of these places feature various levels of accommodation, from camping to luxurious hotels. Despite remaining under the radar, these places may become your new favorite destinations in America.

1. North Shore, Minnesota

The first destination on this list is North Shore, Minnesota. This place appeals to those who love state parks, waterfalls, lakes, and romantic A-Frame cabins. Located in Cook County, North Shore got its name because of the sprawling shores of Lake Superior, also recognized as the turning tip of Northern Minnesota.

If you love the outdoors, there are a few hiking trails you can meander through at the Tettegouche State Park. You can try one or two of these or hike to the tallest waterfalls in Minnesota at Judge C.R. Magney State Park and camp under the stars at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

North Shore will be an excellent choice if you’re looking to go on a road trip. You’ll head down winding roads and run into many lookout points and state parks.

2. Ausable Chasm, New York

A “hidden gem" in every sense of the phrase, the Ausable Chasm is also one of the natural wonders in Western New York. While the city hoards all the state’s glory, this location steals most of the hearts and minds of people who see it. Ausable Chasm is about five hours to the northwest of New York, so it is unsuitable for day trips. However, if you start down the hiking trails, you’ll realize sooner than later why it’s special.

Located on the opposite side of Lake Champlain, it’s a naturally created river from a waterfall - basically a smaller version of Niagara Falls. You’ll also find three different trails within the chasm: tubing, rappelling, rock climbing, and lantern trails.

Go to the main building to book tours in a jiffy! You can also stay in one of the cabins behind the entry gate. This rustic destination is perfect for a weekend getaway and outdoor adventurers. Ausable Chasm takes camping to a whole new level since you can see the gorge from multiple angles.

3. Anna Maria Island, Florida

Do you want to live the life of a romance novel character or experience what a TV show set in a beach town is like? Go to Anna Maria Island! It’s an island that acts like a barrier facing West on the Gulf Coast, Florida. Anna Maria Island is a scenic spot renowned for its beaches and shopping.

Anna Maria, on the namesake island, is a small resort town situated about 45 minutes east of Tampa and 30 minutes south of Sarasota. The turquoise green-blue waters and white sand beaches will give you Caribbean vibes.

Don’t throw in a fit if a manatee bumps into you at some locations. After all, it’s Manatee County! All the beach houses are available for rent, and restaurants offer fine dining options inside fully furnished buildings or shacks. So, fine dining won’t be a problem. Stroll down the street barefoot if you like and reach the paddleboard rental booth. You’ll be sure to fit in, just like a resident.

4. Willamette National Forest, Oregon

The Oregon Coast is a lovely spot for anyone willing to explore the United States. Go to Blue River, Oregon, to the Willamette National Forest - a part of the Cascade Range. The woods stretch over 110 miles long and occupy 1,675,407 acres.

Follow the rivers to witness three waterfalls when hiking. One of them is the second-tallest waterfall in the entire state. In fact, NASA has used some of the rocks resembling lava rocks on the hiking trails for training purposes as they match the ones on the moon.

You’ll find over 70 different camping sites along the national forest, which are suitable for outdoorsy travelers, and the dry landscape has enough history to offer as the waterfalls. More than a dozen conifer trees stand tall in this forest, and over 300 fish and wildlife species claim the lands and waters.

5. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona happens to be one of the best-kept secrets of Arizona, and it’s right in the heart of red rock country. Just like Sedona, there are many other hidden vacation spots in the Southwest, featuring winding roads that bring you to towering red rocks, canyons, and desert landscapes. Sedona is situated about 2 hours south of the Grand Canyon. It’s the best place to stay when exploring everything Arizona has to offer.

Indulge in numerous outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, hiking on mountain trails, horseback riding, and driving ATVs. You’ll have enough in your hands to keep you busy. Do you want to know the history of Sedona? Just visit the Sedona Heritage Museum or tour the red rocks in a Jeep.

If the outdoors is not you thing or you want to relax after all the activities, there are plenty of resorts and spas. Also, enjoy the views from your hotel room or participate in a wine tasting at one of the many vineyards and wineries in the location.

6. Door County, Wisconsin

Visit Door County if you choose the Midwest region as your destination. To some people, this part of Wisconsin never ceases to incite amazement. The entire area exudes the vibes of a small town with more access to resort-town elements not found anywhere else in the Midwest.

This destination is one of the best places for tourists in Wisconsin. In fact, it’s known as the Cape Cod of the Midwest. It’s a 64-mile peninsula that offers incredible views of Lake Michigan.

Door County is also popular for wine, cherries, and apples. If you plan your trip in August, and if you’re a fan of good music, you should definitely check out "Cheeseheads! The Musical" event. Don’t forget to visit the renowned von Stiehl Winery in Algoma. Also, check out the famous fish boil at Pelletier’s Restaurant & Fish Boil in Fish Creek.

7. Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country is full of hidden activities and picturesque natural beauty. Understandably, it’s one of the best-hidden vacation spots in the nation. Hill Country is in Central and South Texas, comprising the Southeastern zones of the Edwards Plateau. This place isn’t entirely to the Southwest. Instead, it’s considered to be in between the border areas of the country.

Hill Country is full of locally-owned eateries that people sing praises of, such as Der Lindenbaum and Redbud Cafe & Pub. Also, this location is close to San Antonio, which makes it a perfect family vacation destination.

You’ll encounter whole fields covered by Lavender and a Lavender Festival in Blanco. If you plan your trip at the end of August, you can watch or even participate in rodeos, parade on main, dance & car show between the 11th and 12th. Again, between September 1st and 3rd, you can satisfy your love for music with the Western Heritage Music Festival.

Gardening and stargazing are among the most popular activities to participate in. Apart from that, Topaz is found by the dozen here, even in the dirt. In short, you can literally find hidden gems spread throughout Texas Hill Country.

8. Devil’s Tower, Wyoming

The Devil’s Tower is a divine national monument in Wyoming. This monument is unlike any other in the United States, as it’s a massive rock conglomerate standing 1,267 feet tall above the Belle Fourche River. The local Native American tribes call it Bear Lodge - the world’s most significant example of columnar jointing.

There are several other canyons and parks, including Bighorn Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands National Park, close to this natural wonder. Road-trippers should take a detour towards the Southwest to stop at Yellowstone National Park after exploring this awe-inspiring landmark.

9. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

One location, four different terrains. That’s what the Great Sand Dunes National Park is all about! Here you will find dunes, creeks, mountains, and forests. There isn’t any other destination in the country where tourists can enjoy as many vistas as the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. The pictures of this place can be misleading because some of the dunes are as large as mountains. As a result, the images may appear almost fake.

Participate in outdoor activities like hiking, sand sledding, swimming in Medano Creek, camping, and riding 4WD vehicles through the trails. Close to this park are waterfalls and ranches for you to stay. Just imagine staying on a ranch in Colorado and visiting some of the largest rolling dunes you’ve ever seen!

Then, walk through the national park or swim in the creek below the waterfall. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, sandboard down a small dune. Stargazing is an option for those with a cosmic fantasy before retreating to the ranch for the night. To many, this place may be one of the best, underrated vacation spots.

10. Channel Islands National Park, California

Five sensational islands off the West Coast make up the Channel Islands National Park. It’s one of the most stellar national parks in the nation and probably has the largest population of seals.

The national park is close to Los Angeles. Despite that fact, it’s the second least visited national park in all of California and also one of the most underrated national parks in America.

These islands in the Pacific include Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island, Santa Rosa Island, San Miguel Island, and Santa Barbara Island. The best activities to indulge in at the Channel Islands National Park are snorkeling, kayaking, and seeing seals at Point Bennett on San Miguel. It’s this marine sanctuary that attracts nature and animal lovers from all across the United States to this place.

These islands provide refuge to various flora and fauna, including some found nowhere else on Earth. Channel Islands National Park is also where you’ll witness more prehistoric sites than anywhere else in North America. So, if you’re looking for a destination to run away from it all, this is where you should go!

For all wayfarers

This list is an ode to all vagabonds, rovers, and roadies residing in America. If you have an itch for wanderlust that needs scratching, this list of places to visit should suffice. Before we take off to these wonderful locations, you want to take some safety measures for there may be some obstacles waiting ahead in your adventure.

Vyncs can be the perfect partner for road-trippers. This car GPS tracker can help them out of a jam if their vehicles break down in the middle of nowhere. Travelers can also pinpoint every flaw under the hood before setting out and get them repaired on time. If a group of teens choose to drive to one of these spots, their parents can monitor them for their safety using the geofencing capability of Vyncs. You know what they say, better be safe than sorry.

Sources:

1) https://viatravelers.com/best-unknown-places-to-visit-us/

2) https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/best-hidden-vacation-spots-in-us/

3) https://www.thediaryofanomad.com/best-hidden-vacation-spots-in-the-us/

4) https://www.worldpackers.com/articles/best-offbeat-places-to-visit-in-the-USA/

5) https://www.attractionsofamerica.com/travel/most-beautiful-hidden-gems-usa.php /

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution in the year 1760, both companies and professionals have changed how they operate or work. The first noticeable event was the establishment of small-scale and large-scale factories in large numbers in the United States, Continental Europe, and Great Britain. The challenges with small establishments included low pay scales and poor working conditions for the laborers. It took several years for the factory owners to convert the unhealthy working conditions in these factories and make them labor-friendly.

Things have now changed significantly and for the better. Work environments have progressed in terms of performance standards and the use of technology, such as telematics-based GPS fleet trackers and mobile workforce management. Thanks to these tools, employees perform their duties passionately, and the competition between the employees is also healthy. Technology even helps business owners and managers streamline the workflow.

Unfortunately, not everyone welcomed technology with open arms. Based on a recent survey, only 50% of workers operating from the field get access to a connected device. Business owners have been hesitant to pay for tools to manage mobile teams citing the lack of understanding of the value of these systems.

So, if you own a business, and if you have been planning to avoid using such technology, the information below might change the way you think!

The objective of a mobile workforce is to provide companies with a more flexible and agile workforce that can adapt to changing business needs. By enabling employees to work remotely, companies can reduce costs associated with maintaining a physical office, while also improving employee productivity and job satisfaction.

For businesses that rely on field service workers, mobile workforce management can also help improve customer service by enabling workers to quickly respond to customer needs and resolve issues on the spot. It can track fleet operating costs, create custom maintenance tasks, determine start/stop time reporting on the map, add multiple sub-fleets with more than one manager, and give due access control.

It even allows employees and managers to communicate with each other in real-time, regardless of their location, resulting in better collaboration and fewer misjudgments. This platform enables managers to create and manage schedules quickly and easily, ensuring that the right employees are available at the right time. Managers can track employee activities and monitor their progress in real time, which can improve employee accountability. By optimizing schedules, reducing travel time and expenses, and increasing productivity, a mobile workforce management platform can help organizations save money.

Due to the rise of hybrid and remote work cultures, companies should focus on workforce management tools that would help them manage employees appropriately and effectively. These systems can increase employee productivity and improve customer satisfaction simultaneously.

Therefore, understanding the importance and necessity of workforce management is crucial; what it is, why you need it, and which features to prioritize when choosing a relevant solution.

About Mobile Workforce Management

Mobile workforce management or MWM is a strategy for managing numerous employees efficiently across several locations to ensure they perform their duties.

Whether you own a small business or a massive multinational corporation (MNC), MWM can help you with jobs that do not take place within the office premises. Organizations, such as cleaning businesses, appliance installation and maintenance, HVAC companies, and non-emergency medical transportation, will benefit immensely from MWM.

The Market Size and Future of MWM

Verified Market Research published a report a while ago. In it, the researchers valued the MWM market size at $3.89 billion, back in 2020. They believe this value will increase to $10.46 billion by 2028 at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 13.16% from 2021-2028.

Additionally, the rise of the “Bring Your Own Device" trend within workplaces, competition in the tech industry, and the prices of smartphones and tablets have brought down modern innovations used in mobile and computing broadband technologies. All of these are the prime growth factors in field workforce and management.

Exclusive Features of MWM

The right mobile workforce management system makes it easy for businesses to keep track of their field workers when they are outdoors. Here are some of the most noteworthy features.

• Geo-fencing facilitates boundary creation, so you know the moment someone exits the area.
• Instant notifications ensure that you never miss anything important.
• With real-time location tracking, you will always know where your employees are and how long they have been there.
• See and audit location and work history to determine what your employees do at any point during the day.
• Automatic tracking, combined with privacy protection, ensures employees do not feel like their boss is stalking them.
• Automatic alerting tells you whenever something important happens.

If you use a telematics device with an app, you can rely on it to check in on your teams from anywhere and see how they work. You will always stay updated with the latest info without sending an email or scheduling a meeting.

The advantages of MWM

MWM systems enable organizations to manage their workforce efficiently and effectively, helping save money and time. They let you manage and monitor employees’ work schedules, tasks, locations, and KPIs (key performance indicators) from anywhere on a mobile device or computer, even on the go.

1. Better Communication

One significant advantage of MWM is that it can improve teamwork and communication. Many employees work from different locations and do not want to be on the phone all day conversing with their coworkers. It is not very efficient, especially when they have other tasks they need to finish. MWM allows them to send messages in real time and facilitates better team collaboration. Streamlined communication may lead to filling gaps, help in better decision-making, and a happier, more productive workforce.

2. Better Customer Satisfaction

A metric called “First-Time Fix Rate" dictates a company’s ability to fix work orders when they are first scheduled. According to the Aberdeen Group, companies with an FTF (first-time fix) rate higher than 71% have 20% higher customer satisfaction compared to organizations with an FTF rate less than 70%.

Using a telematics platform with workforce management features will make your customers happier because your employees on the field will always get up-to-date information that they can access at any moment. It reduces wasted trips, downtime, and customer satisfaction.

3.Track Employee Performance

Monitoring an employee’s work performance is paramount to maintaining staff member retention and business productivity successfully. With mobile workforce management, you can see each worker’s task completion rates, travel time, delays, and expenses. In other words, they will not be able to slack off without anyone knowing about it.

McKinsey has evidence to prove how MWM systems can increase the number of tasks performed by a business by 20-30% per full-time employee per day.

4. Better Efficiency

Efficiency is the most crucial factor for success in the new economy. When you have a workforce spread across hundreds or thousands of miles, you only have to use efficient tracking and communication systems to avoid problems. MWM can help you monitor employees’ performance standards and jobs in detail with data-driven time and productivity reports.

5. Less Stress

People believe that technologically enhanced systems can make things stressful for workers. It is a misconception embedded in the minds of business owners from all around the world. One study found that about 49% were unhappy with the tech they’re provided with, and 26% of employees would consider leaving their current job if not for the availability of tech tools. When you have all your business documents and tasks at your fingertips, you can forget about making mistakes.

Final Thoughts

Mobile workforce management solutions can impact your company positively in many ways. It can increase productivity, efficiency, and employee engagement. As you can probably guess, these translate to better customer service and financial success for you.

Companies can’t thrive without an appropriate workforce management system in place. Today, it has become necessary, especially if the organization hopes to meet expectations and achieve enterprise sustainability. With workforce management systems, you can pinpoint where you must allocate resources to improve the overall productivity of on-field workers and translate the same into increased business revenue.

To that end, Vyncs can be a lifesaver for your business and cater to multiple aspects of workforce management. Vyncs Fleet 4G+ provides a dashboard to monitor vehicles as they set out for work. Simultaneously, you can track costs, create custom maintenance tasks, determine start/stop time reporting on the map, add multiple sub-fleets with more than one manager, and give due access control.

The day a teenager earns their driver’s license, they experience the excitement of newfound freedom. But driving is more than just a major step towards adulthood and independence. It should bring responsibility along with the thrill of driving. Now, the thought of installing a car tracker for teenagers may dampen your mood, especially if you are young, enthusiastic, and recently learned to drive.

However, if you are the parent, that’s a different story. Sometimes parents need to make decisions that are considered “necessary evil." So, you should approach your child subtly and respectfully while considering their opinions and decisions.

But first, let us take a look at what telematics is all about.

What is Vehicle Telematics

Telematics is a branch of information technology that deals with the long-distance transmission of computerized data. It also refers to sending, receiving, and storing car and truck telemetry data by combining GPS technology and onboard diagnostics. Fleet businesses use this technology to monitor equipment and other organizational assets.

Vyncs has registered its name among some of the top telematics brands in the US. With a Vyncs device connected to the OBD-II, you can see the vehicle’s,

• Position
• Speed
• Trip distance/time
• Idling time
• Harsh driving
• Fuel consumption
• Vehicle faults
• Battery voltage

How to Talk About it

Now that you have a basic idea of what a GPS telematics device is capable of, here are some tips on how to approach the subject to your teenager.

1. Start by communicating openly about your intention to install such a device. Vyncs can be discreet inside the car using our OBD-II extension cable, but teenagers tend to be more tech-savvy than their parents. Naturally, springing it on them or attempting to hide the fact that you are monitoring them and having them find the device later on their own can result in hard feelings. Instead, explain why you are installing a tracking device and the benefits of using one. Have a healthy discussion of the pros and cons.

2. Why do you want to monitor your teen’s driving? State your reasons clearly, backed by concrete examples. You can tell them you wish to see that they are safe by following speed limits or locating them in case they need help, both of which are achievable with Vyncs speeding alerts and roadside assistance features. Clarify how you are going to supervise them.

3. If you do choose to buy a tracking device, consider buying the device as early as three months before your teenager takes the driver’s license test. Try the device yourself and show the reports from the device to your kid. This transparency may seem counterproductive, but it actually shows you trust them while putting them on notice simultaneously on the types of driving behavior monitored by the system.

4. Checking privacy settings is an exercise of trust. Naturally, you would want to ensure you do not breach it by sharing your teenager’s data with third parties. Never underestimate the importance of privacy policies, especially if they involve your children. Vyncs has a well-defined privacy policy. Check it and make your choice, but avoid all options that would share your kid’s travel data. You may want to know where they are, and you have the right to this information, but not to third parties.

5. Finally, you need a collaborative spirit. You may be surprised to learn that children often appreciate tracking because it lets them avoid peer pressure. For example, if two friends travel in a vehicle, one may not like the idea of being monitored by the parent of the other. As such, he/she may pressurize the driver into removing or disconnecting the tracking system. Teenagers may share the same perspective. If you create accountability policies together, they are more likely to follow them and cause less worry for you.

The Risks of Not Having Telematics

The importance of monitoring teenagers with GPS devices is not to be underestimated. Below you will find a list of the risks of not leveraging telematics for monitoring teen drivers.

• Without a GPS device, you may not know where your child is in case of an emergency, but if you connect a Vyncs OBD-II tracker to the car, you can see exactly where they are at all times.
• It might scare you, but the fact is that a new driver will always be at a far greater risk of getting involved in an accident than a more experienced driver. Therefore, Vyncs GPS tracking can help alleviate some of the worries by informing you the moment your teenager drives rashly or gets into an accident. Vyncs also offers 24/7 roadside assistance - a feature that will come in handy if something untoward happens.
• Let’s face it! Vehicle insurance premiums have increased profoundly over the last few years. Insurance premiums are higher than usual for teen drivers. If you do not want to pay exorbitant insurance premiums, Vyncs telematics can help reduce vehicle theft and the insurance claims resulting from it, improve driver behavior, prevent vehicle misuse, promote adhering to timely maintenance schedules, and lower the risk of accidents.

Helping Teens Understand the Importance of Telematics

The excitement of being a new teen driver is overwhelming. Everyone remembers the day they received their license and the freedom of driving by themselves. While it may be fun for teenagers, parents feel the stress from the possibility of unwanted accidents that may occur on the roads. Thankfully, tracking devices for vehicles from Vyncs offers peace of mind to parents.

With Vyncs, parents can monitor where their teenagers are going and draw geo zones to create a circumference within which they want their kids to stay when they take the car out. Parents can also set up curfew hours to prevent their teens from driving during those hours. Furthermore, Vyncs alert users about inappropriate driving habits, such as rapid acceleration, harsh braking, sharp cornering, etc.

The tough part, however, is to get a teen to agree to put tracking devices in their cars. This article has already elucidated what parents can do to convince their teenagers. So, if you are having trouble getting through to your kid, try incorporating the strategies described here.

What is the first thing that comes to the mind of a family member when a dementia patient thinks about driving? He/she probably wonders whether the person should be allowed to sit behind the wheel at all or not.

Now, just because someone has been diagnosed with dementia does not necessarily mean they should completely avoid driving. According to researchers some people may retain the skills necessary to drive safely in the early stages of dementia. Of course, there are exceptions, but most types of dementia are progressive. To be precise, the symptoms will worsen over time and manifest in the form of memory loss, decreased cognitive function, and visual-spatial disorientation.

Understandably, the patient’s driving skills will decrease, and sooner or later, they have to put the keys aside. The thing about driving is that it is often associated with freedom and independence; therefore, losing driving privileges can be upsetting. Some folks recognize the risks. They eventually stop driving on their own, but others fail to assess their driving skills. They tend to insist on driving, even if it is not safe anymore. Family members must step in when that happens, especially if the patient’s symptoms pose a significant traffic risk.

How to Tackle the Challenges of Driving with Dementia

It is a challenge to determine when an individual can no longer drive safely, as the progression of dementia differs from one person to another. To that end, here are a few guidelines we have put together that may prove useful to you if you are caring for a dementia patient.

Making the Decision

As a rule of thumb, people with early-stage dementia or mild dementia should get their driving skills evaluated professionally as soon as possible if they wish to continue using a vehicle. Conversely, folks with moderate to severe dementia should never drive.

Watch Out for the Signs

How do you assess an individual’s functioning? Just observe their day-to-day behavior outside a vehicle. Here are a few signs you should watch out for. If you notice the following, know that the person no longer has the skills to drive a car.

• Lack of coordination
• Inability to judge space and distance
• Loses their way or feels disoriented in familiar locations
• Experiences problems in multitasking
• Increased memory loss, particularly for recent events
• Oblivious to things happening around
• Experiences mood swings, irritability, and confusion
• Needs prompting for self-care
• Experiences difficulty in information processing
• Experiences difficulties making decisions and solving problems

Family members must compare present behavior with behavior before dementia symptoms started showing up. For instance, you can try to differentiate the difficulty faced by the patient in handling several tasks at once from their previous abilities. Behavioral changes will be more noticeable to family members and friends who have interacted closely with the person for years. Share and discuss what you observe with other family members, friends, and healthcare providers.

Evaluation of an Independent Life

The best way to assess the patient’s driving skills is to set up an independent driving evaluation strategy. Before this evaluation, let the examiners know that the person being tested has dementia. Driver rehabilitation programs or State Departments of Motor Vehicles conduct these evaluations, but not always.

While the laws differ from one state to another, some states ask physicians to notify the DMV of a patient diagnosed with the condition being discussed here. This person may have to report to the DMV for a behind-the-wheel driver re-examination. A few revoke the licenses of individuals diagnosed with moderate or severe dementia. If you want to learn more, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for the state where the patient resides.

There is one other less intrusive, less obvious way of evaluating a dementia patient’s driving. For example, the GPS tracking devices for vehicles from Vyncs can take a measure of the driver’s skills by scoring them according to their driving. Vyncs will notify you whenever the patient accelerates suddenly, makes sharp turns rashly, or applies the brakes harshly. The geofencing feature of Vyncs further ensures dementia patients from exiting a fenced area. Even if they do, you will be alerted immediately. Other noteworthy features of Vyncs that can help dementia patients are curfew hours and general vehicle tracking.

As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of dementia worsen with time. Naturally, those who pass the driving evaluation should be re-evaluated every six months. Others who do not pass should stop driving immediately.

Monitor How they Drive

Even if a patient demonstrates their safe driving capabilities, their family members and friends must monitor their driving behavior. Dementia can affect an individual’s driving skills significantly in a very short time. The purpose of monitoring is to detect problems before they turn into crises. If you have even a shred of doubt about the patient’s safety, you should not let them drive.

Co-Piloting

It is possible to figure out the patient’s chances of being in a traffic accident by letting them co-pilot the driver. For instance, when you sit behind the wheel, ask the person to instruct you about using blinkers, shifting lanes, and following traffic rules. You will know whether it is time for another independent driving test if they get frustrated easily or have trouble co-piloting you.

Have Discussions

Some people are familiar with the problems they face due to dementia while driving. They are also happy to avoid sitting behind the wheel when someone engages them to stop. Others, however, will consider the loss of driving privileges and independence as discomforting. You need to talk to this patient about how this change will make them feel. Your imagination will help you envision what it is like to no longer be allowed to drive. Support groups usually offer a proper venue for families and patients to talk about their feelings and get advice from others facing similar situations. People often adjust better if they participate in discussions and make decisions about when to stop using vehicles.

What if the patient is reluctant to talk about driving? Just ask their physician to bring up the subject during doctor visits. Financial planners or lawyers may also be willing to talk about driving as part of the patient’s legal and financial planning.

Start discussions as early as possible, try to establish norms about when and how to limit, and stop driving eventually. Attempt to agree on the types of driving behavior that signal the need to stop driving entirely. Every family member has to find solutions that work best in their situation.

Less Time on the Road

As dementia progression varies from one person to another, people who demonstrate the ability to handle a vehicle safely must start modifying their driving. This strategy reduces the risk of an accident, especially if the patient’s driving skills decrease significantly between tests. Transitioning from a driver to a passenger over time can ease the adjustment process. Here are a few examples for patients to experiment with.

• Choose only familiar roads to drive on and avoid long-distance trips.
• Stay away from heavy traffic and heavily traveled roads.
• No driving at night and in inclement weather.

Patients who can maintain an active life usually adjust better to the loss of vehicle usage. Here are a few ways to reduce the need to drive entirely.

• Make sure all meals, prescription medicines, and groceries are delivered to the patient’s home.
• Get a barber or hairdresser to visit the patient at home.
• Friends and family members should visit regularly.
• Friends and family members should take the patient out for social gatherings now and then.

Arrange for Alternative Transportation

It will be vital to make arrangements for alternative transportation to ensure the patient’s mobility and activity levels don’t get restricted unduly. Here are some commonly used transportation options.

• Friends and family - Friends, family members, and neighbors can offer to drive the individual to social engagements and appointments. Create a list with the phone numbers, names, and times of availability of those willing to help the patient.
• Public transportation - For a person in the early stages of dementia, public transportation can be a reliable alternative to driving. It works for those familiar with the public transportation options available in their area. Someone in the later stages of dementia, however, may not be able to determine schedules or routes.
• Cabs - People in the early or middle stages of dementia who do not exhibit behavioral problems can travel in cabs. Of course, someone should meet the individual at both ends of the ride. You can set up a payment account with the cab company so the patient does not have to handle payment.
• Transportation services for seniors and people with special needs - You may not have the Yellow Pages anymore (you can always use the internet), but if you do, look for the special section in the front containing the names and addresses of various service organizations. Keep your eyes open for transportation or community service providers offering rides to folks with special needs.
• Eldercare Locator - This is an assistance service provided throughout the nation. It is designed to support older individuals and locate regional support resources, including transportation for the elderly.

If Persuasion Does Not Work

In an ideal situation, a dementia patient will stop driving or limit it without persuasion. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. Some people will inevitably insist on driving, even if it isn’t safe. It is important to maintain respect for the individual’s feelings, but their safety is first and foremost.

You may need to stop the dementia patient’s access to their vehicle as the last option. Try the following methods.

• Keep the car keys out of sight.
• Replace the keys with a new bunch that doesn’t start the vehicle.
• Disable the car or sell it.
• Move the car away from home or keep it somewhere out of sight.

Striking a Balance Between Safety and Respect

The task of balancing safety with respect for a dementia patient’s desire to drive is challenging and emotionally trying. You will need the support of other family members, friends, and health professionals when creating and implementing difficult decisions about driving.

Memorial Day is a somber reminder of the sacrifices of the heroes who laid down their lives for the country. Then again, it also kicks off summer unofficially, with folks all over the nation craving to leave everything behind and taking a vacation. Once the temperature rises and the school doors close, marking the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend, you would probably want to set out for your next adventure.

Whether you want to spend a couple of days on a sun-kissed beach, pamper your taste buds with delectable dishes, burn a hole in your pocket shopping, or enjoy the chill of the mountains, there are more than enough locations in the USA to satisfy your wanderlust. Besides, it is never too early to plan or at least dream about your ideal weekend getaway. Here are a few destinations to get you started with your search.

And if you are planning to make this venture a road trip, let Vyncs real time GPS tracker tag along with you in your journey. It can provide roadside assistance should your vehicle break down in the middle of nowhere.

Annapolis, Maryland

Looking to pay tribute to the military men and women this Memorial Day? Take the road to the waterfront city of Annapolis, also called the “Sailing Captial of the US." Spend time outdoors to catch a glimpse of the Memorial Day Parade as it passes through Main Street, or take a walk through the remainder of Historic Annapolis, where you will inevitably encounter rows of American flags. Need a spot to stretch out? Just head to Quiet Waters Park - spanning 340 acres. This spot is perfect for biking, kayaking, picnicking, or simply letting your eyes feast on the panoramic views of the South River in the pleasant temperatures gracing this area in late May.

Ocean City, Maryland

Memorial Day is when you honor and remember the sacrifices made by the USA armed forces members, and you can do just that at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. Learn about the history of this place and the real-life predecessors of the Coast Guard of today. The full story of the “Storm Warriors" of the United States Life-Saving Service is available to everyone. These people are the ones who stood watch to rescue sailors from wrecked ships. Once you grow tired of taking in the sights of the Atlantic from the miles of wooden boardwalks of Ocean City and its sandy shoreline, take a trip in it on rented jet skis or pontoon boats.

Arlington, Virginia

Take some time to pay your respects to the brave soldiers who fought and died for the nation at the Arlington National Cemetery. Here you will see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - the final resting place of an unidentified World War I soldier and an unsung hero. The memorial also pays homage to other unknown warriors from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Leverage the relatively mild temperatures of Virginia in May by passing through the Potomac Heritage Trail. This expansive trail system spans from the mouth of the Potomac River to the Allegheny Highlands through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and DC.

Washington, D.C.

What other destination is as patriotic as Washington, D.C. when it comes to celebrating the true spirit of Memorial Day? Pay your respects to the fallen, veterans and their family members, amounting to over 400,000 at the Arlington National Cemetery. Or, head towards the National Mall and wander around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. Read the names of 58,000 Americans who perished during the Vietnam War. Finally, make your way to the World War II Memorial to pay tribute to soldiers who died on the battlefield.

Palm Springs, California

Ask those who live around Palm Springs - they will claim that the summer months are best experienced in this part of California. Of course, at times the temperature rises more than some people can handle, but, simultaneously, it helps you find some of the best deals on stays. Apart from being ideal for individuals looking to explore and indulge in rock climbing, the real highlight of Palm Springs is event hosted by the Palm Springs Air Museum - the Annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flow Drop. Experience the emotional moment of being bathed in red and white carnations dropping from a B-25 aircraft. This is an act of commemorating those who gave up their lives fighting for the nation in World War II.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Millions of individuals from all four corners of the world visit Pearl Harbor to see all the war memorials and museums. However, it makes more sense to schedule a visit on Memorial Day. So, what can you expect at Pearl Harbor? Start your day by checking out the USS Arizona Memorial, as it is the most important World War II site in the USA. Then, move on to the National Park Service monument from where you can go to two museums where you can witness the events of the Road to War and the Attack & Aftermath with the aid of the latest technology. Consider adding the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to your list of places to visit - a military aircraft museum displaying the US conflicts in Vietnam and Korea during World War II.

Cape May, New Jersey

The Memorial Day weekend is when the unofficial tourist season starts in Cape May, and you can probably guess why! This place is a quintessential summertime getaway for numerous Americans for all the right reasons. The historic seaside town boasts pleasant temperatures in the 70s in the late spring. It also played a crucial role in military defense during World War II. Travelers can relax and take in the sun on the beaches of Cape May while admiring the perfectly-preserved Victorian architecture next to the shoreline. Or, they can take a walk down the outdoor Washington Street Mall. Close to Cape May is New Jersey Town, an excellent spot for birding and also perfect for tipplers, thanks to all the wineries in the area.

Distracted driving (here is a classic example published on YouTube by New Jersey 101.5) is one of the primary causes of vehicle accidents among teenagers and younger drivers. The NHTSA says that around nine people die, and over 1,000 people sustain injuries due to crashes resulting from distracted driving here in USA. Six years ago, 3,166 individuals died in distracted driving accidents, and in 2021, distracted driving led to 3,522 deaths.

The AAA Foundation Report states that distracted driving happens due to mobile phone use, but the actual reason for distracted driving is not the phone. The passengers traveling with the driver usually end up being the distraction.

Teenagers below 20 have the highest proportion of fatal crashes associated with distracted driving. Passengers distracting drivers is the most prominent reason for vehicular crashes, amounting to 15%. The second highest reason was texting, at 12%.

These are sad statistics. However, the good news is that distracted driving is controllable to a large extent with tracking devices for vehicles.

For example, you can keep tabs on the driver’s vehicle speed with Vyncs. Just connect the device to the OBD-II port, set the speed limit on the mobile app or web app, and get notified whenever the driver crosses the threshold. While this technology may potentially be used to control phone’s access to the network, many prefer a less restrictive approach to convince the driver not to engage in such activities in the first place. If you know when they are driving and avoid calling them while they are driving, remind them to use hands-free voice activated technology during the trip, and urge friends and family to do the same.

Geozones can be drawn on a digital map to limit the driving radius of your teenage kids. If they take the car outside the boundary, you will be notified instantly. That way, you will stay informed about any change in their driving behavior and you can update your strategy to counter their distracted driving tendencies accordingly.

Vyncs will also alert you whenever it detects bad driving, such as harsh braking or sharp cornering and prevent the driver from any fatal accident. After all, distracted driving is even more dangerous when the driver is making risky moves on the road, particularly at a high speed.

Youngsters are not always attentive to the condition of the vehicle. Vyncs can determine whether the car needs thorough maintenance. You can schedule repairs or take preventative measures so that your teenage children can drive without worrying about their vehicle breaking down. While this may not have much to do with distracted driving prevention, it at least gives you the peace of mind knowing that they are unlikely to be stranded by the road and have an urgent need to call for help from the car. Just in case they do, the 24/7 Vyncs roadside assistance service may come handy.

The rest of the article takes deeper look at the common causes and other measures you can take in order to prevent distracted driving.

Common Causes

Distracted driving comes in many forms;

• Visual - looking away from the road while texting, applying makeup (believe it or not), or using a navigation system.
• Manual – removing hands from the wheel to eat something or adjust the radio.
• Cognitive – not paying attention to driving, like talking on the phone or speaking to passengers, drowsy driving.

Most people take their minds off the road every once in a while. This primarily happens during long, monotonous drives. For some folks, it is a more frequent event that they would want to admit. They drive while another activity or thought whisks their attention and focus away from the road.

It becomes difficult to react and prevent a potential crash when you think of something other than what is happening in front of you. This is even more common among teen drivers with little experience in driving. When your teenagers do not pay attention to the road, their chances of accidents increase significantly, and it affects passengers both inside and outside the vehicle.

Troubling Stats

Text messaging is a common form of distracted driving, particularly among teenagers. 42% of high school students who drove over 30 days reported sending an email or text while sitting behind the wheel in 2017. In the same year, 9% of all teen motor vehicle crash deaths happened from distracted driving.

For a young individual, it is tempting to take a look at the phone quickly to read or reply to a text while driving. Doing so involves looking away from the road for about five seconds. If you drive at 55 mph, you will cover the length of a football field within five seconds.

Looking at mobile phone screens or texting is related to other life-threatening practices for teenagers. High school students who indulge in frequent texting also,

• Avoid wearing seat belts
• Prefer traveling with a drunk driver
• Drink and drive

These are some sobering statistics to keep in mind while you are preparing to let go the teenage drivers at home on their own to the road.

Some Measures to Prevent Driver Distraction

Talk to your teenagers about what they can do to drive safely. The following pointers may be helpful.

• Your kids should finish personal grooming and dressing at home. The car is not the place for that, particularly when they are driving.
• They must choose the route and inspect traffic conditions way ahead of time.
• Keep all loose items inside the dashboard compartment so that they are unreachable. If something does roll around, the driver should not attempt to reach for it until parked with the ignition off.
• Ask your kids to adjust things, like seats, GPS, climate controls, mirrors, and sound systems, before starting a trip.
• Regularly engage your kids in a discussion about distracted driving and mobile phone usage. Create a culture to avoid distracted driving at home in order to minimize the temptation to use the phone while driving. They must put electronic distractions aside before leaving. Texting, sending emails, playing video games, or using the internet is an absolute no-no while driving.
• Scan the road actively, use mirrors, and keep tabs on pedestrians and cyclists.
• Drivers should ask passengers for help him/her focus on the road and minimize distraction.
• If anything distracts the person behind the steering wheel and needs immediate attention, they must not attempt to do so while driving. Instead, they should pull off the road and stop the car in a safe spot.
• As always, get a telematics device like Vyncs in order to get a better sense of where they are and how they drive so that you can better manage distracted driving habits.

Links

• https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month
• https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DistractedDrivingAmongNewlyLicensedTeenDriversReport.pdf

Video source

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0iwz3NEC0&ab_channel=NewJersey101.5

https://www.youtube.com/@NewJersey1015

Road rage, also called aggressive driving, is dangerous and negative behavior that drivers engage in for various reasons (Check out this video by Dashcam Lessons to know what road rage is). At times, the driver acts under the influence of alcohol, and at other times, it results from a mental breakdown or emotional outburst. Road rage also happens when the driver is in a hurry to go somewhere, especially if they are late and need to get somewhere fast. However, before getting into the details, it is important to mention that several facets of road rage are controllable with a vehicle tracking device, such as Vyncs.

Insights & Statistics

Here are a few statistics that will give you a relatively clean idea of road rage and how it plagues the USA.

• About 12,610 injuries and 218 murders have resulted from road rage over seven years in the USA (SafeMotorist)
• Road rage has been the cause of about 300 deaths since 2013 (NHTSA)
• 66% of traffic fatalities happen due to aggressive driving (NHTSA)
• Driver errors lead to 94% of traffic accidents (NPR)
• 30 murders are linked to road rage annually (American Psychological Association)
• 50% of drivers react to the careless acts of other drivers with aggressive behavior (American Psychology Association)
• The number of reported cases of road rage has increased by 500% over the last decade (CNN)
• Aggressive driving had a role to play in 56% of fatal crashes between 2003 and 2007 (Insurance Information Institute)

Road Rage Stats

Everyone gets frustrated while driving sooner or later due to traffic or the poor decisions of other drivers. However, the resulting anger can ruin your day, and if this anger lasts longer than a few moments, it leads to disastrous consequences.

In 2021,

• According to drivers, the most frequent act of road rage involves one driver honking their horn angrily against another (45.4%).
• About 38.9% of drivers have witnessed other drivers signaling vulgar and rude hand gestures to other drivers in an act of road rage.
• 30% of drivers say that the most frustrating thing about another driver is the act of driving distracted with their phone, with only 6.8% reported that traffic was the most annoying aspect of driving.
• 26.5% of drivers often rely on podcasts or music to calm down if they get angry while driving.

Due to COVID-19, the way people drive and how they behave on the streets changed between 2020 and 2021.

• It took just one year for road rage to drop by 1.9%.
• Despite being the most enraging behaviors, instances of distracted driving, tailgating, and cutting off other drivers decreased significantly.
• Events of frustrated driving have dropped in the past year.

Road Rage in the USA

The information below is from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

• Only 80 fatal crashes happened due to road rage in 2006.
• Within the next 9 years, the number of road rage car accidents increased to 467. In other words, the fatality rate went up to 500% by 2015.
• Since 2013, road rage has led to about 300 deaths.
• Almost 30 murders across the nation have been associated with incidents that began with road rage.
• The American Automobile Association has connected more than 12,500 injuries to driver violence out of 10,000 car accidents since 2007.
• Most of the deaths from road rage have been considered deliberate murders.
• Over 200 murders and 12,000 injuries have been attributed to road rage within a seven-year time window.

Road rage vs. Aggressive Driving

There are a few legal differences between road rage and aggressive driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Aggressive driving points to anything deemed reckless, such as speeding, tailgating, blocking another vehicle from passing, etc. Road rage is a much more serious issue because it usually involves violent intentions directed toward another motorist. It includes behaviors, such as ramming another car, physically fighting with another driver on the side of the road, or using weapons to threaten or harm others.

Here are a couple of facts about road rage;

From a legal standpoint, road rage is a criminal activity. After all, it is classified as a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others.

Aggressive drivers may be charged with traffic offenses.

Other criminal road rage offenses include forcing another driver off the road, swerving into another car, firing a gun, tailgating, ramming into another motorist, or performing brake checks.

Around 2% of drivers admit that they attempted to run another driver off the road.

Almost 86% of drivers believe it is safer to drive at least 10 miles/hour over the established speed limit on the highway.

Stats by State

The statistical data you will find below is taken from a FARS analysis conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and Auto Insurance Center.

• Some of the cities in Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, and Georgia have been dubbed as the top five “Road Rage Capitals" in 2009.
• Conversely, cities in Tennessee, Minnesota, Missouri, and Georgia have the most kind-hearted drivers.
• Drivers in Texas, Houston, California, and San Diego are often noticed exhibiting speeding behavior daily.
• Drivers in Ohio, Cleveland, Portland, Denver, Colorado, and Oregon drive faster than anyone else in the entire country, statistically.
• 22% of Americans claim that they saw fellow drivers ignore red lights every day.

Stats by Gender

Males end up on the receiving end of road rage events more than females.

• Studies conducted on gender and traffic safety say that males below 19 are more likely to exhibit road rage and tailgating than others.
• Another study incorporated individuals who claimed they experienced road rage more than four times a week. 34% of this group were females between 18 & 34.
• 39.2% of men and 28.9% of women had to deal with road rage directed at them.

Stats by Age

It is usually assumed that a young and inexperienced driver would likely be involved in an accident more than an experienced driver.

• People born between 1981 and 1996, also called Millennials, have caused over 50% of all aggressive driving events.
• Gen X, the generation preceding Millennials, caused only 21% of crashes and displayed rude gestures or aggressive driving.
• Finally, the generation about to retire, also called Baby Boomers, have caused the fewest crashes due to reckless driving - only 4.2%.

Death Stats

The American Automobile Association sourced the following data.

• Incidents that began with road rage led to about 30 murders across the nation.
• There have been over 12,500 injuries due to driver violence out of 10,000 vehicle accidents since 2007.
• Among all the deaths related to road rage, most have been considered deliberate murders.
• More than 12,000 injuries and 200 murders have been the result of road rage over a period of seven years.

Gun Violence Stats

A non-profit news firm focused on gun violence has uncovered the following information.

• 247 incidents of road rage involved a gun in 2014.
• Road rage cases involving firearms increased to 620 in 2016.
• 325 road rage incidents involving guns happened in 2017.
• Between 2013 and 2017, 136 people were killed in shootings resulting from road rage.

Road Rage vs. DUI

Here is the data from one more survey involving road rage and DUI.

• About 14% of the participants think DUI is not as dangerous as road rage.
• Around 36% of the participants claim road rage is not as dangerous as DUI.
• Almost 49% of the participants claim both behaviors are equally dangerous.

To Sum it Up

Road rage is inevitable because it is a psychologically charged incident. However, some aspects of road rage, such as reckless driving or racing can be controlled with driver monitoring systems. One such solution is Vyncs - a brand that excels in location tracking, driver safety monitoring, and vehicle health reports. Our exclusive range of devices designed for consumers and fleet owners & managers comes with powerful onboard and in-cloud distributed data management and analytics platforms to access vehicle sensor data and provide actionable intelligence.

With Vyncs, you can keep a check on the driver’s on-road activity. If they race against other drivers or operate the vehicle recklessly, you will know. Vyncs alerts you against speeding, harsh braking, sharp cornering, idling, etc. Even if there is no way to put an end to road rage, curtailing it and, in turn, decreasing the outcomes of untoward on-road behavior, is perfectly possible.

Sources

1)https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/road-rage-statistics/(SafeMotorist).

2)https://www.iii.org/table-archive/20686

3)https://www.madd.org/press-release/new-nhtsa-numbers-show-drunk-driving-still-the-leading-cause-of-highway-deaths/

4)https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

5)https://www.geoffreygnathanlaw.com/topics/national-drunk-driving-statistics/

6)https://consumer.healthday.com/kids-health-information-23/kids-and-alcohol-health-news-11/1-in-5-college-students-admitted-to-drunk-driving-study-found-639483.html

7)https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813406

8)https://www.huffpost.com/entry/drunk-driving-college_n_598905

9)https://carsurance.net/blog/car-accident-statistics/

Video & video source

1)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1crk7Na2h3w&ab_channel=DashcamLessons

2)https://www.youtube.com/@DashcamLessons

Statistics on drunk driving elicit surprise and dismay when disclosed to the public. Experts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say that DUI claims an individual’s life approximately every 50 minutes. This adds up to 10,000 lives per year. Despite being preventable, these incidents happen when a tippler sits behind the steering wheel. Drunk driving is inexcusable as it has severe consequences, such as this incident (courtesy of A&E), and endangers the driver’s life, as well as others on the road. While vehicle GPS tracking systems cannot correct drunk driving, it can detect irrational behaviors, like excessive speeding, sudden & harsh braking, sharp turning, etc.

An Overview of Drunk Driving Statistics

Intoxicated driving is a significant problem in the USA. The following statistics will help you understand the situation.

• 1 out of 3 car accidents happen because of a drunk driver sitting behind the wheel (NHTSA)
• 229 children aged between 0 and 14 die every year due to drunk driving accidents (CDC)
• 32 % of the life-threatening car wrecks that happened at night in 2017 resulted from drunk driving (NHTSA)
• Alcohol-impaired drivers caused $123.3 billion in damages in 2020 (CDC)
• College-aged drivers cause around 19% of all drunk driving accidents in the USA (MADD)
• Some of the most dangerous accidents happen due to drinking more than usual on weekends (NHTSA)
• When the minimum drinking age was raised in 1984, it saved almost 32,000 lives (NHTSA)
• California, Texas, and Florida hold the record for the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities.

Booze & Vehicles - a Deadly Combination

Everyone knows how alcohol impairs the ability to handle a car. The real question is, why does it affect the drinker? Here are a couple of reasons.

• Alcohol impairs cognition, reduces brain function & reasoning, and affects muscle coordination.
• Alcohol enters the bloodstream and is measured in BAC or Blood Alcohol Concentration. In 50 states, if you drive with a BAC of 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL), you will be flagged as a violator. In Utah, however, the legal limit is 0.05 grams.
• Even the smallest quantity of BAC, between 0.01 & 0.7 grams, may lead to impairment.

Other Insights

So, how many people die every year due to drunk driving? According to the CDC, about 11,660 Americans died because of driving under the influence in 2020. This number has increased by 14.3% from the previous year. The CDC even suggests that in 2020,

• In 62% of these instances, the impaired driver was the victim
• In 38% of these instances, the passengers traveling with the drunk driver became victims

The statistics are alarming, to say the least. Impaired driving does not only affect the driver but also their passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.

Statistics Based on Age

While drunk driving is a common problem in America, a few groups do it more than others. According to the NHTSA bulletin 2020, the following are the highest-risk groups.

• Most alcohol-impaired drivers are between the age group of 21 and 34.
• Men are four times more likely to indulge in drinking and driving than women.
• 29% of drunk driving fatalities happen to youngsters aged between 15 and 20 with a BAC of over 0.01 g/dL.

One should be vigilant about how they behave on the street, but it is also beneficial to be aware of the groups more at risk than others while driving impaired.

DUIs and Insurance Rates

Anyone who gets pulled over and charged with a DUI would have to deal with a steep insurance rate. Factors like living conditions and offenses dictate how much the insurance premiums may rise. It usually remains between 7% and 289%.

Furthermore, the violator will never be able to leverage the perks of safe driving if charged with a DUI.

Ways to Prevent Mishaps

There is no shame in craving a swig or two now and then. However, you probably do not want to become part of the statistical data presented here. To that end, plan your night out ahead of time. You have several options to get to and from your location safely. For instance, you can opt for ride-sharing services, such as Uber or Lyft, hire a taxi, or go for designated driving services to bring you home safely, along with your vehicle.

Fortunately, drunk driving is currently trending in the right direction. That is why it has dropped by 44% since 1985. Nonetheless, instances of DUI are not few and far between, and such an event can wreak havoc on your life and everyone else around you. Additionally, you will need a lot of time to recover vehicle insurance premiums if you get caught. You even have to shell out heavy legal penalties associated with impaired driving.

Source: https://bit.ly/3mWqmaf (Forbes)

Source: https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/drunk-driving-statistics/

Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJqe4wHNm7c&ab_channel=A%26E

Video Credit: https://www.youtube.com/@AETV

Did you feel like someone punched you in the gut when you saw your insurance bill last time? If you did, you should not think you are in it alone. Based on a report created and published recently by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) , there has been an increase of almost 50% in commercial auto insurance over the last decade, particularly between 2018 and 2020.

This analysis covered over 80 carriers and more than 95,000 commercial trucks, and it uncovered this crucial piece of information - on average, insurance costs rose to $0.087/mile in 2020. However, this increment in costs was not across fleets of varying sizes, affecting smaller fleets disproportionately.

Small and medium-sized fleets experienced a larger jump over the last three years when compared to large and very large fleets. In fact, in 2020, small and medium fleets paid almost twice as much for every mile covered as large fleets.

Yes, these numbers look bleak, but you can implement a GPS fleet tracker. It has helped carriers reduce insurance costs in the past. You can expect it to do the same for you now.

Why Insurance Costs are Increasing & How Carriers are Responding

The analysis from ATRI pinpointed three factors primarily responsible for the overall increase in insurance premiums.

1. Economic Conditions

Economic factors, including medical costs and general inflation, are some of the greatest contributors to rising insurance premiums. Other factors also play crucial roles, such as crash severity, insurance industry competition, and the cost of repairing vehicles.

2. Social Inflation

Despite being quite difficult to define, social inflation refers to increments in claims costs not directly caused by economic inflation. For instance, changes in public opinion related to who is at fault for a safety incident and how much the jury award in a settlement case should fall in this category.

3. Carrier-Specific Factors

The safety history of the individual carrier and whether the carrier demonstrated attempts of improving safety history play crucial roles. Furthermore, other factors include the usual cargo value and the primary state or area of operation. Carriers operating in more litigious states often charge higher premiums.

Naturally, numerous trucking organizations have responded to higher insurance premiums by cutting costs in other areas. According to the ATRI, three areas where companies were most likely to cut costs to offset insurance increments were;

• Salary, wages, or bonuses of employees
• Buying or maintaining equipment
• Hiring or firing employees

These techniques will yield short-term savings, but snipping off these areas will have long-term consequences. Reducing employee compensation can negatively affect a company’s chances of hiring and retaining experienced drivers. Postponing equipment upgrades or failing to maintain vehicles adequately with proper brakes, tires, or other components can increase safety risks.

Furthermore, firing old employees and hiring fewer new ones will put extra strain on existing drivers and staff, which may lead to cutting corners or increase safety risks.

How to Reduce Insurance Prices

Fleet managers can’t overlook the importance of buying insurance for drivers and vehicles, but the costs can pile up. Here are a couple of tactics you can use to seek out insurance price reductions.

1.Driver Behavior Improvement

Drivers are the most important assets of a fleet manager. You have to make sure your staff stays alert when behind the steering wheel, as it is essential to lowering insurance costs. Training frequently and setting specific expectations for drivers can reduce accidents.

Keeping tabs on driver performance metrics is a proactive method of seeing how employees operate on the clock. Acts of speeding and sudden braking need immediate attention because improving driver behavior leaves room for significant savings.

2.Reduce CSA Scores

Prioritizing training regimes and reducing claims will possibly improve your CSA or Compliance, Safety, and Accountability score. It is a rating that conveys information about a carrier’s safety record. CSA scores are not visible to the public, but the data collected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can dictate the price of insurance premiums for commercial logistics companies.

A telematics solution will prove to be of use here, as it will provide you with an accurate history of driver collisions, citations, and other reports. Fleet owners and managers can reduce insurance premiums by educating drivers about how to navigate commercial vehicles safely.

3.Get Rid of Unauthorized Use

Fleet vehicles should only serve business purposes, and to ensure insurance cost reduction, you should communicate the precise location of your company vehicle. With fleet vehicle monitoring systems, managers can check for suspicious activity that puts trucks at risk of sustaining damage. Determining how to limit unauthorized vehicle use is a crucial step in cutting down fleet insurance premiums.

4.Theft Reduction

Tracking alerts can help you recover stolen vehicles quickly. Preventing damage to the fleet and minimizing pricey insurance claims can help you save significantly large sums of money. Showcasing that you are responsible for your commercial vehicles allows you to lower insurance costs.

5.Staying Compliant

Adhering to DOT regulations can help you save money on insurance premiums. Most insurance firms tend to reward commercial establishments with drivers that abide by mandates placed at state and federal levels. Telematics functions keep all driver logs, maintenance details, and compliance reports in one place. With a telematics system, you can monitor how long drivers and vehicles stay on the road and their safety history.

6.Gather Video Evidence

Hard evidence is what insurance companies seek, and you must present it to them if you need to file an insurance claim and seek reimbursement. Relying on telematics hardware, such as dash cams, will be worthwhile, as they can record the details of a collision. These devices will give you the proof you need. The presence of an extra level of the context surrounding an accident is effective in showing that the driver was not the culprit. Also, the same evidence can stop insurance costs from burning a hole in your pocket or breaking your bank after an accident.

7.Create Reports

With a fleet compliance platform, gaining access to driver and vehicle reports will become easier. An insurance agency may charge a lower fleet insurance premium if you can show that you have a record of safe driving. You can also display documents related to inclusive vehicle maintenance histories and inspection results. Try to hash out a competitive price for your insurance plan by streamlining the compliance process.

How Fleet Vehicle Telematics Helps

Fleet telematics can have a profound impact on a business firm’s safety initiatives, which, in turn, can influence insurance premiums. Additionally, in an unfortunate event of a crash, fleet management solutions can protect the company from false claims.

Insurance is an undeniable and indispensable fact for fleet-based businesses, and many of the factors that influence premium costs remain out of the control of the owners and managers. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to mitigate those expenses.

One of those steps incorporates implementing a connected vehicle management system, a solution suitable for trucking companies of all sizes. It can effectively lower insurance costs by helping you display the depth of your organization’s focus on safety and risk management.

Want to find out how Vyncs can support your company’s safety efforts and potentially cut down insurance premiums? Visit our website to check out what we can do for you.

With state and federal rules and regulations expanding continuously, achieving fleet management sustainability and reducing carbon emissions are now mandatory. Fleet owners across North America are probably facing the pressure of modernizing their fleets and looking to implement GPS fleet monitoring systems on every vehicle. After all, these tools facilitate green fleet management better than anything else.

Overhauling the fleet is not mandatory for shrinking the carbon footprint and reducing the chances of incurring regulatory penalties. As mentioned above, investing in a connected car solution is a straightforward, more affordable alternative to changing the current vehicle fleet. Telematics tech supports enhanced operating procedures that can augment sustainable fleet management.

Your Choice Helps the Environment

Today's corporate world is perfectly aware of its social and environmental duties. It is primarily due to the increased pressure on global businesses to publish environmental data, apart from financial data, as part of their corporate reporting process in yearly reports.

Suppliers, customers, and shareholders are further driving for greater openness and accountability around the environmental impact of daily operations. Companies are investing and developing sustainable business practices to increase trust and engagement with their stakeholders and customers. These practices will lead to attracting and retaining employees, improving brand awareness, building credibility, encouraging advances and bringing innovation in various types of technology, and reinforcing community relations and partnerships.

Everyone knows how detrimental carbon dioxide emissions are. The world sorely needs ways to reduce emissions to avoid the worst impacts. According to researchers, the Asian continent is currently the largest emitter, accounting for 53% of global emissions. Even after being home to 60% of the world's population, the carbon dioxide emissions in this continent are slightly lower than the world average.

This value is equal to more than a quarter of the worldwide emissions. North America holds the second spot on this list, contributing to 18% of the global emission, followed closely by Europe at 17%. About 73% of the total CO2 emissions come from the energy sector, with 16% attributed to the transport industry and 12% to road transport, specifically.

Based on the information by the Global Energy Review 2021, global CO2 emissions will grow as the demand for oil, coal, and gas rebounds in the post-COVID era. From everything described above, it is clear that carbon dioxide has reached the highest-ever atmospheric average annual concentration.

Carbon dioxide emission is almost 50% higher than when the industrial revolution started. These stats clarify the necessity of tackling climate change effectively. Humanity must work together to reduce carbon emissions caused by on-road vehicles, particularly the ones used by fleets.

Here is a breakdown of how fleet operators can start establishing a sustainable strategy for fleet management.

1. Performance Assessment

You can achieve fleet sustainability once you thoroughly understand the current fleet costs, operations, and existing business processes and policies.

2. Business Requirements and Priorities

Once you identify where manageable inefficiencies deter or slow down operations and drain business money, you can take control of areas needing critical improvements.

3. Opportunities for Improvement

Determining which fleet systems or operations are suitable for streamlining and optimizing is the key to improving things that will increase the bottom line.

4. Business Buy-in

Ensuring sustainability is a top priority for an organization. Therefore, you must develop a business case to present to stakeholders, partners, and personnel and explain how an operational review will help the fleet and the company achieve green objectives and boost overall profits.

5. Implementation

Implementing all the measures suggested above to make the fleet more sustainable can be aided by implementing fleet telematics tech.

6. Ongoing Review and Monitoring

Ongoing review and monitoring will ensure that your company meets sustainability targets consistently. Fleet managers can rely on telematics technology to stay productive, utilize resources & fuel appropriately, and control expenditures.

What to Expect from Telematics Technology

Here are three ways a GPS fleet tracker can help lay the foundation of green fleet management.

1) More Fuel Efficiency

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have established stringent corporate average fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. After becoming effective on July 1, 2022, the last rule sets the standards that would need an industry-wide fleet of approximately 49 mpg for passenger vehicles and light trucks in the year 2026 by increasing fuel efficiency by 8% yearly for model years 2024 and 2025, and 10% yearly for the year 2026.

Fuel consumption reduction is one of the most effective ways of achieving fleet sustainability objectives and helping meet ever-evolving regulations. Maintaining specific fuel-related constraints is the best way to reduce gas costs and impact the company's bottom line. Every fleet business owner knows that fuel usually contributes to a sizable operating expense. However, telematics technology increases fuel efficiency and helps make a significant impact.

Contemplating driver behavior and coaching them accordingly goes a long way to reducing excessive speeding and harsh acceleration while increasing the mpg value.

2) Route Optimization

Another area of fleet management tech that helps companies realize sustainable fleet management is the ability to optimize driving routes for drivers. Managers can determine cost-effective and fast dispatch routes between job sites based on traffic patterns and other available data, so fuel use is reduced, and workers spend less downtime between job sites.

When a new or unexpected job comes up, you can route the nearest worker to that location to conserve fuel. You can also enable drivers to leverage GPS navigation tools to prevent them from getting lost and streamline delivery schedules. In doing so, you can reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission.

3) Idle Time Reduction

Passenger cars, light-duty vehicles, and medium & heavy-duty trucks consume about six billion gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline. They do it without even moving an inch. You can probably guess that it is the result of idling - an event that makes a truck use almost half a gallon of fuel every hour.

Time spent idling not only means workers failing to contribute to operational profitability. It means fleet vehicles are consuming fuel unnecessarily, which falls short of several green fleet management initiatives.

With connected vehicle technology, you can set alerts for any unnecessary idling beyond a specific time threshold you deem appropriate. It helps reduce inactivity among fleet vehicles, other fuel costs, and, in some states, all related penalties.

The Correct Technology will Always Support Green Fleet Management

Every technician, driver, and employee of a business company has to be on board with green fleet strategies if you wish to implement real change in environmental sustainability. The strategies ensure everyone remains accountable to the same standards, build trust among the team, and accelerate the ability to achieve positive results from fleet management efforts.

So, what kind of technology should you look into? Vyncs is a practical choice, as it is a household name among numerous fleet owners in the USA. We don’t just claim to rethink and reshape mobility - we have made it a reality with our work and our product. Whether it is about location tracking, driver safety monitoring, or vehicle health reports, our product uses powerful on-board and in-cloud distributed data management and analytics platforms to access vehicle sensor data and provide information valuable to you.

Fleet management encompasses a lot of things. For starters, operators must ensure vehicle and driver safety and security. Fleet managers or business owners should also ensure their vehicles and drivers meet compliance regulations, while maintaining operational efficiency. A telematics system can play a pivotal role in this and in writing a driver policy and company handbook.

Here you will read about what goes into creating an inclusive driver policy and company handbook that will make your business fleet compliant in every aspect.

The Fundamentals

It is best to start at the absolute basic level so that nothing is left behind.

What is Compliance?

If there is a pillar that determines the success of a fleet, it is compliance. Adhering to it will take you forward in the game, but not doing so will be detrimental to operational safety and efficiency.

Maintaining compliance is crucial to the logistics industry as it helps keep drivers and vehicles safe by ensuring the carriers are roadworthy and reducing the likelihood of on-road incidents. With driver fatigue being the cause of one in five accidents, avoiding it is the top priority among fleet businesses. After all, eliminating driver fatigue by complying with the rules will do more than just safeguard the fleet. Being compliant will protect other road users too.

Fleet managers must prioritize compliance, but it is also a challenge to stay abreast of the changes in regulations and the complex admin work associated with the same. Several moving parts will need express attention, including monitoring a driver’s work hours & fatigue, refining the identification process, ensuring electronic logging accuracy, and preventing device tampering.

The Building Blocks of Compliance

Comprehensive fleet compliance is a machine with several cogs that you need to take note of. Some of the variables worth mentioning include;

1. Fleet Managers

These people are integral to fleet operations and play crucial roles in ensuring compliance. The management is responsible for implementing company rules and regulations and making sure that all drivers and vehicles follow these policies. They also monitor and evaluate performance to prevent company policy violations.

2. Drivers

Fleet drivers, no matter how frequently they work, need training to operate the vehicle they are asked to operate. They also require a valid driver’s license and become familiar with the safety policies and compliance regulations.

3. Vehicles

Vehicles need to be in mint condition to operate efficiently. Therefore, you must ensure your vehicles are fit for use, and to do that, you need to get them serviced on time. Conducting regular inspections will help you meet safety guidelines.

4. Daily Operations

Operating the business while maintaining compliance helps you mitigate risks and safeguard fleet vehicles. If you hope to ensure compliance in this regard, then you cannot make your employees work longer than realistic hours. You should also keep the working conditions fair and allow them to take breaks frequently.

The Specifics of a Driver Policy & Company Handbook

What are the particulars of a driver policy and company handbook? Here is a breakdown.

1. Start with the Basics

The introductory part of the driver policy and company handbook should begin with explaining the purpose, who it applies to, and the terms and conditions. Start by presenting the mission statement of the company so that the reader understands why your business utilizes fleets.

From there you can move on to define the industry terms and explain the roles and responsibilities of various departments. You have to define the duties of key players in the business like fleet managers, executive management, head of departments, vehicle users/drivers, and managers. The policy should also define industry-related terms. They will help outline your code of conduct, the types of employment contracts you offer, the recruitment process, attendance mandates, and governmental policies in this section of the manual.

2. Fleet Administration

This section of the manual should contain all admin activities associated with the business fleet. Outlining this part will provide the reader with more information regarding operations and how they will fit into the structure.

It contains information on the following aspects;

• The responsibilities of the fleet department
• The way your business chooses, allocates and acquires vehicles
• Train drivers on safe driving practices
• Communication mandates between drivers and fleet managers
• Your organization’s database and record-keeping systems
• Grounds for loss of employment/eligibility

This section shows the details of the telematics device or fleet tracking software program you use for your company. Remember to outline this in the driver policy so all employees use the device or software and avoid privacy breaches.

3. Driver Eligibility

This element expands on the driver’s permit requirements for any employees driving company-owned vehicles.

The policy must stipulate that the driver provide an MVR (motor vehicle record), which is a document containing the details of an individual’s driving history. Information regarding accidents, traffic violations, or vehicle crimes will be included here. All prospective drivers must submit this data positively to ensure they meet all employment requirements. Furthermore, minimum employment age and disability guidelines should also be part of the policy.

4. Driver Safety

A fleet’s well-being depends on driver safety. If anything harms your drivers, it will affect other aspects of business operations.

This portion of the policy should define the behaviors that can put drivers at risk, as well as the steps they must implement to stay safe while driving. Below you will find a few rules worth including;

• No one should drive under the influence of intoxicants. You should also stipulate the repercussions of doing so, such as employment termination if found guilty.
• No one should touch their phones when sitting behind the steering wheel.
• No one should drive a company vehicle if ill, medicated, or fatigued.
• Every driver and passenger should put on seat belts when in a company vehicle.
• Every driver should adhere to the rules and regulations of the road.
• Every driver must turn off the engine, lock the doors, and take the keys out of the vehicle if they leave it unattended.
• Every driver should use headlights only at night or during moments of low visibility.

5. Vehicle Use

This part of the manual will be the most influential as it will cover a great deal regarding fleet vehicle use. It must enumerate driver behavior guidelines and restrictions.

From the perspective of personal use, the driver policy should include the basics. For instance, only authorized personnel may drive company vehicles, passengers are limited to only those that need to ride in the vehicle to finish a project, and any restrictions, such as smoking, should be stated clearly. If your fleet uses personal or rental vehicles, remember to stipulate associated usage guidelines in the policy.

These make up the tip of the iceberg regarding what you need to include in the vehicle use section of the manual. Other necessary guidelines include providing an explanation of fuel purchasing and administration, processes to follow for reporting accidents, and vehicle care & security methods.

6.Vehicle Maintenance

Efficient fleet performance depends on proper functionality. To that end, every vehicle has to remain roadworthy at all times. Poor maintenance will inevitably lead to vehicle downtime and costly repairs, which can be avoided by having comprehensive documentation concerning vehicle maintenance at hand. So, include outlining guidelines about vehicle operation, vehicle life cycle, risk management procedures, data collection, and fuel management.

An excellent place to start is determining the vehicle inspections and safety checks that the drivers should conduct before embarking on a journey. These safety checks should incorporate checking vital vehicle aspects, such as the brakes, lights, tires, and wipers. Stipulate clearly how often these checks should be conducted. Then, you can specify the frequency of tire rotations, oil changes, and other types of servicing.

Fleet managers and drivers should be aware of all the fundamentals of vehicle operation. These include;

• Vehicle maintenance program
• Software program used for vehicle operations
• Suppliers used
• Fuel consumption systems in place, and more

Every maintenance task conducted on the vehicle must be recorded in mileage reports for record-keeping.

7. Accident Procedures

Accidents are inevitable, whether you follow the rules of the road and correct driving etiquette or not. Even if you dodge the worst-case scenarios, you will not be able to escape scuffs and bumps. In any case, your drivers should be aware of the processes to follow after an accident to prevent further damage or injury and report the incident correctly.

Drivers must never engage in arguments or discuss the accident with external parties. They should discuss such events only with the police and fleet/security officers.

Here are some of the procedures you must outline in this section of the manual;

• Report the accident to the policy, regardless of its severity.
• Call for medical aid as and when required.
• Add the names and details of anyone involved in a collision and eyewitnesses.
• Give the other party their name, details, and insurance data.
• Inform fleet managers and security officers of the collision.
• Provide a comprehensive written report of the accident to fleet operators.

Tips to Write a Policy

At this point, you should be ready to write the policy. The following tips will help you get it done.

1. Research thoroughly

When you implement new policies for your fleet, research the industry and consider all aspects of your business. Look for information wherever you find it to enrich your documentation.

As changes in policy impact everyone working for a company, you should enquire with your employees to see how current policies impact them.

In the same way, take note of your peer’s policies. Find out what they learned when implementing these guidelines and how they impacted their operations. Staying informed about every aspect will guide you when assembling your documentation. This will help you put together more comprehensive and inclusive policies.

2. Ask for Inputs

As you gather insight from employees through the research process, make sure that you get input from all departments to compile your documentation.

Once you create a clearer outline of everything in your policy and handbook, make sure that you keep executive management in the loop. Getting input from every employee of your company will ensure you leave no stone unturned and assure that all challenges and opinions specific to your business are included.

3. Refine the Documentation

The driver policy and company handbook have to be all-inclusive without being repetitive. When you build the framework, make sure that you do not repeat yourself. Every piece of information you add must be valuable.

When you edit the document, the areas you need to elaborate or eliminate will become clear. Do not forget to pay attention to the readability of your policies, avoid being convoluted, and keep the language simple. All employees have to read and understand the documents. Naturally, the information must be as clear and precise as possible.

4. Review Your Policies Carefully

There is one more thing to do in terms of refining the document. You must review the policies carefully before distributing them.

This document should pass through the following parties before it gets finalized;

• Supervisors
• Managers
• Legal representatives
• Union officials

The more people inspect the document, the better. This will help pinpoint any snags before it is submitted to senior-level management to be approved.

5. Prepare the Policies for the Future

You can do it annually or whenever there is a change in regulations. Regardless of what you choose to do, make sure the policies are updated. To do that, stay in tune with industry news and ask your employees to provide detailed feedback on the policies after implementation. Specify who employees can contact if they have questions or suggestions concerning the documentation. Use the feedback to improve the policy and handbook.

How Vyncs Can Help

Are you familiar with Vyncs? It is currently one of the most reputable connected vehicle management technology providers on the market. How can a telematics product fabricated by us benefit you in creating a driver policy and company handbook?

Just think about it - what is the ultimate purpose of telematics? It facilitates monitoring cars, trucks, equipment, and even organizational assets by leveraging GPS technology and onboard diagnostics or OBD for strategizing asset movement on a digital map.

The presence of a highly intelligent computer in a vehicle capable of reporting on nearly every detail, from speeding & idling, to fuel use, low tire pressure, and more, can be nigh unto revolutionary for a logistics business.

As mentioned earlier, the sphere of transportation is fraught with aspects in need of constant monitoring, analysis, refining, identification, logging, tamper prevention, etc. Telematics is the only thing that will come in handy when you focus on these elements and help you use the results to frame your driver policy and company guidebook.

Business-fleet managers are well aware of the many benefits of using telematics solutions that provide GPS location data among other useful information. When it comes to the choice of the telematics device, some opt for the battery-powered ones that can be placed anywhere in the vehicle, while others prefer to use the GPS fleet trackers that can be plugged into the OBD-II port of the vehicle. For those of you who are not familiar with the OBD-II port, it is a data port located in the area below the steering wheel and above the gas pedal in every light and medium-duty vehicle sold in the USA after 1996. This port offers access to emission and vehicle health data in addition to a pin for drawing 12V power.

While battery-powered telematics devices offer the flexibility to place it anywhere in the vehicle (e.g. under the vehicle) that may be useful in some applications (e.g. stealth surveillance by law enforcement), it is often painful in fleet applications. Batteries run out of power sooner or later and require you to charge those devices regularly. Missing out on charging batteries means no data is collected. On the other hand, the OBD-II GPS tracking devices offer all the benefits of the former device with additional vehicle health/emissions data with and the benefit of not having to charge the devices regularly using sheer manual effort. No wonder, the latter kind is increasingly becoming the choice of telematics device for most business fleets.

Here are a few more compelling reasons why OBD-II devices are better than their battery-powered counterparts.

Ease of Installation and Use

As mentioned above, the OBD port is normally located under the steering wheel above the gas pedal area. Therefore, installing it is a breeze. You just have to push the device into the slot to gain access to the wealth of vehicle health and maintenance data. With our product, for instance, you can visit our website or use our app to get this information.

No Need to Charge

Most products are battery-powered, which requires users to charge them at least once a week. Conversely, OBD variants do not need batteries as they draw power from the vehicle. They will never run out as you do not have to unplug the device.

Collecting Data

As an OBD device stays plugged into the car, it gathers valuable information from the vehicle to help the owner understand everything going on under the hood and below the chassis. The tracking device allows you can determine the vehicle’s mileage and fuel economy. The Vyncs device can even provide car diagnostics, uncovering every existing problem. Additionally, the AI system of Vyncs will give you personalized suggestions regarding the optimization of fuel and maintenance expenses.

Driving Better

An OBD product manufactured by a reputable brand can automatically detect unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, harsh braking, or sharp cornering. Apart from knowing where and when you or someone else is driving, you can determine how well the person behind the steering wheel was operating the vehicle on the road. Vyncs possesses features like driver scoring and associated performance graphs and tables, allowing you to evaluate data, which comes in handy if the driver is newly minted.

GPS devices let you save fuel and money while creating safer driving conditions for your drivers. They also allow you to optimize routes and reduce insurance premiums.

Four Ways Telematics Can Enhance Fleet Performance

Now that you know about the OBD-II port, OBD-II devices, and why they are better than battery-powered products, read on to find out how telematics improves the performance standards of a fleet-business.

1. Decreased Paperwork and Other Time-Consuming Chores

Connected vehicle management systems provide drivers with real-time updates and workspace management, increasing efficiency in the process. They leave a digital trail of real-time updates, which eliminates the need for paperwork. Simultaneously, the same digital trail allows business owners or managers to make better decisions. Additionally, the business will be able to focus on the core aspects of the business and its operations rather than the aspects a telematics product can oversee and manage without human intervention.

2. Organize Preventive Maintenance

One of the lesser-known benefits of connected vehicle solutions is that it allows you to stay on top of preventive maintenance schedules. You can’t underestimate the importance of preventive maintenance if you hope to avoid costly repairs or dangerous roadside breakdowns. Once you use connected vehicle technology, you will never have to worry about forgetting an oil change, a tune-up, or any other essential vehicle service.

Streamlining preventative maintenance notifies you about the following:

• Engine lights
• Emission information
• Battery health
• Oil changes
• Preventive maintenance routines

Here are a few more advantages of a GPS fleet tracker:

• It lets you create service schedules based on usage hours, mileage, or scheduled dates.
• It reminds you of upcoming services.
• It allows you to input service schedules and events for every vehicle in the fleet.
• It helps you maintain records of past service history.

GPS facilitates on-road efficiency and back-office work and allows fleet managers to keep maintenance tasks on schedule. As a manager, you will never have to worry about costly breakdowns in the middle of a job again, which leaves the driver at risk and the company's reputation tarnished.

3. Leverage Fuel Cards

When it is about managing fuel and maintenance-related expenses, fuel cards work better than anything else, especially when tethered to a connected vehicle solution. Fuel prices tend to fluctuate from time to time. Naturally, you need a foolproof way of tracking these expenses incurred by businesses relying on fleet vehicles. Fuel cards can save the day by helping you track and control employee expenditures, online purchases, fraud identification, or company fund abuse. Simultaneously, you can curate detailed spending reports.

Combined with potential fuel savings, these abilities keep employees accountable on the field. A driver ID is associated with every transaction that informs you who spends how much and where. Apart from establishing transparency, you can set spending limits based on the product, location, and dollar amount.

Fuel cards can even be incorporated into bookkeeping, thanks to the automatic capturing of financial activity to back-end tracking systems. This further streamlines back-office jobs and preserves the integrity of financial records.

4. More than Just Saving Fuel

The benefits of GPS go above and beyond fuel savings. It provides transparency, accountability, and efficiency powered by tech-forward features for your business. Before you even realize it, your company and its bottom line will start growing.

Location Tracking, Trips, Geofences and Alerts

Just imagine for a second that you can check and determine the entire fleet’s location from your smartphone! The deeper you dig, the more features you will unearth, including the following.

• Speed and direction of a given vehicle.
• Drivers closest to a specific location.
• The current address of a piece of equipment or vehicle.
• Time since the last GPS report issued.

You will also receive location updates every minute after a fleet vehicle starts moving. The notifications will pop up every hour when the vehicle’s engine is turned off. The equipment tracking devices will report battery usage every ten minutes when powered on and moving. There will also be an intuitive map for you to use, which will provide fleet updates about proximate traffic conditions to inform you whether the drivers are moving or stuck in traffic.

Driver Performance Reports

You can optimize business performance by holding your drivers accountable to ethical company compliance and high driving standards. Driver reports aggregate essential data to help you understand which employees on the fleet drive the brand mission forward and which ones need to work on improving their abilities.

Performance reports usually include the following.

• Daily detailed trip segments for every driver.
• A daily driving history for every driver, with animated route replays.
• The ability to check street-level details for further insight into various events or behavior.
• A review of all alerts, stops, and other key driving events.

Fleet managers can ensure their drivers operate as safely as possible with telematics. Reporting features of this technology delivers daily performance scores for every driver, summaries of safe driving behaviors, and summaries of idling and stops. The same system allows managers to authorize the hours during which the fleet vehicles will be in use and investigate the details of use outside of predetermined hours.

See the Bigger Picture

When you have access to real-time data, comprehensive reports, and sophisticated tracking capabilities, think about how advanced your business and its operations will become! GPS improves the overall performance of the fleet --- from vehicle maintenance to driver performance & accountability. The resulting ROI goes far beyond fuel savings and benefits every aspect of a fleet-based business.

Vyncs is a telematics brand that has helped numerous fleet businesses increase their return on investment. The Fleet 4G+ is a device that Vyncs has fabricated for fleet owners operating vehicles to fulfill their organizational objectives. The device allows businesses to add numerous vehicles to their accounts. This account provides access to the fleet dashboard, gives street addresses on the trip table, provides downloadable data in an excel-friendly format, facilitates fuel cost tracking, helps create custom maintenance tasks, and a lot more.

Visit our website to find out what we have in store for you and harness the power of connected vehicle systems for your business.

Reducing fuel expenses is often a top priority for fleet managers, and fuel cards, combined with a telematics fleet tracker device, can make that easier to achieve. Fleets using fuel cards and connected vehicle tech can track spending and driver behavior. The card facilitates purchase profile analysis, provides real-time alerts, and allows report creation. In the end, these tools let fleet managers identify opportunities to make measurable and targeted improvements for reducing fuel costs.

A Short Guide to Fuel Cards

Fuel cards work like debit cards, as you can use them to pay for fuel. Fuel cards accumulate data fleet managers can use to keep tabs on fuel usage, location, etc. Based on the type of car, drivers may have to include a driver number, unit, or vehicle mileage to get authorized to pump gas. Companies specializing in payment processing cards or oil brands often use fuel cards.

Fuel cards can be of three types,

• Fleet cards - Created specifically for commercial vehicle use.
• Branded cards - Issued by specific fuel companies.
• Universal cards - These are akin to credit cards. They include customized controls and reporting.

Every variant has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, businesses will benefit from various card offers. You can use a fuel card at any of the participating locations across the nation.

The perks of using fuel cards for fleet businesses are many and varied. As the cost of gas ebbs and flows, fleet managers must track fuel consumption to look for redundancies and number irregularities. Fuel cards can analyze data trends, track employee spending, and make reporting easier. Business owners can set up alerts to prevent the cards from being misused and eliminate fraudulent activity.

Fuel cards can also help save time. Tracking and reporting features of fuel cards streamline management duties and can cut down lengthy reimbursement processes. Simultaneously, these cards can reduce paperwork. Furthermore, drivers can use them anywhere without worrying about finding a specific gas station brand.

Something to Remember

When business owners first consider issuing fuel cards to drivers, the primary factor they think about is the amount of fuel purchased every month. If a fleet uses 1,000 gallons of gas per month, you can use fuel cards to enjoy rebates. Fleets that don’t use that much gas will benefit from credit cards more than fuel cards.

The Advantages of Fuel Cards

There are several benefits for you to reap, starting from discounted gas prices to detailed expense reports. Here is a list of some of these advantages.

1. Driver Convenience

Most of the gas stations spread throughout the country accept fuel cards. It gives truck drivers a convenient way to purchase the fuel they need when they need it. You will feel confident knowing that the drivers can buy gas with the card whenever it is most convenient.

2. Fuel Cost Reduction

Are you familiar with the fact that fuel purchase is the highest expense in the entire fleet industry after vehicle maintenance? A few fleet cards available these

days offer additional savings at gas pumps that can lower overall fuel costs.

3. No More Fraudulent Gas Charges

Nothing is as bad as arguing about fraudulent charges with the creditor. Fortunately, fuel cards for fleet businesses prevent unauthorized purchases. Drivers only need to input their ID or PIN before they can start fueling up the vehicle. Fuel cards can also make it easier for business owners to pinpoint and stop potential fraudulent charges before they turn into legal problems.

4. Record Accuracy and Report Analysis

Replace chaos with order in your record-keeping system with a fleet fuel card. It is precisely what you need if you don’t want to deal with the headache of gathering receipts and figuring out how much your drivers spend on fuel every month. You only need to log in to your account and go through every transaction detail, including the amount of gas spent and other info. Users can also configure it to synchronize automatically with the accounting and bookkeeping system. Such in-depth reporting can deliver a level of transparency that saves time, money, and frustration while simplifying things for you to monitor your organizational fuel expenses.

5. Controlling Expenditure

Finally, fleet fuel cards can give companies more control over how much drivers spend at the gas station. You can enforce limitations on the quantity of fuel drivers will be able to purchase when on the road. Fuel cards also facilitate setting other parameters. When you can control all these aspects, you can manage the fleet’s overall fuel expenses better than before.

Fuel Card Features to Consider

You would not buy a gps tracker for multiple vehicles without researching your options to separate the best from the rest. The same goes for fuel cards. Here is a list of the features you should look for.

1) Where can you use it

It is of the utmost importance that you know where you can use your fuel card in advance. If the card limits purchases to specific locations, will your drivers be able to access those areas easily? Fleets may also have different types of vehicles running on various fuel sources, such as electricity or diesel. Naturally, the fuel card of your choice has to account for this.

2) Account Accessibility

Fleet managers and drivers must stay informed with mobile alerts. They should also have online access to their spending accounts. They must receive alerts about over-tank purchases and other exceptions, such as the location of the nearest fueling station, a view of their spending history, and more.

3) Matters Concerning Security

Business owners can monitor for potential fraud by setting up alerts. For instance, they will know as soon as a driver attempts to exceed their fueling limit. The system will also catch irregularities in the odometer readings entered. Fuel cards can be set up in such a way that the drivers will not be able to avoid entering their unique ID numbers while purchasing fuel. This strategy prevents unauthorized individuals from using the card.

4) Customer Services

Driver support ensures that a driver spends more time on the road and less time troubleshooting the problems arising with their fuel cards. Every driver should have the contact data handy if it has a driver support line. If a driver visits a pump and forgets their ID card or their card gets declined, they can get the support they need to complete the purchase.

5) Fuel Analytics

Many fuel cards fabricated for fleet businesses can capture fuel data, such as the price per gallon, driver ID, odometer readings, and fueling location for every purchase. These things allow fleet managers to analyze fuel spending and identify improvement opportunities.

6) Tracking Financial Data

The presence of fuel financial data in one digital dashboard minimizes the time spent on accounting administration by reducing or eliminating the need for hard-copy fuel receipts. Reading odometer entries at the pump can help you maintain an accurate log of how much fuel the vehicles use. Financial tracking also simplifies expense monitoring, viewing trends, and generating reports.

An Essential Tool to Stay Organized

Fuel cards are valuable tools, particularly for fleet business owners. It helps to stay organized, track spending, and improve driver efficiency. Various fuel cards are available these days, and each offers an exclusive set of features. When you explore fuel card options, prioritize the requirements of your fleet and everything you are looking for in terms of fuel management.

Even connected car solutions can contribute to fuel management. Vyncs, for instance, can tell you how much fuel you have left in each vehicle of your fleet. Of course, you will enjoy this feature only if the automobile reports the relevant data through the OBDII port. This comes in handy for detecting fuel theft, for example. When the driver fills up the gas tank, Vyncs keeps a tab on that. Vyncs also tracks fuel cost - a feature available only to our fleet users. With it, you get personalized fuel-saving tips.

Vyncs even correlates fuel consumption with how drivers control the vehicles and report the aspects of their driving contributing towards increased fuel consumption. If used in tandem with fuel cards, businesses utilizing fleet vehicles can save significantly large sums of money.

Opinions about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it will change the world differ from one person to another. Proponents have great expectations from it, and they sing praises in the name of its capabilities. AI usually deals with the problem of simulating cognitive intelligence in computing systems and its applications. While it existed as an esoteric research field from the days of Alan Turing, it gained considerable attention in the recent past because of some of the impressive applications that resulted from the massive amount of data we have started collecting and analyzing using advanced machine learning algorithms.

The disrupting power of Artificial Intelligence has been felt by numerous industries and businesses. Fleet management is no different, of course. The ever-growing need to prioritize driver safety without compromising cost-efficiency has fuelled the adoption of smart fleet management systems and devices, such as a GPS fleet tracker.

The average fleet driver relies heavily on telematics solutions and smartphones Previously, fleet managers and drivers had to deal with the hassle of determining routes on paper maps and listening to radio broadcasts to gauge traffic conditions. Today, scalable routing algorithms work autonomously in conjunction with predictive vehicle performance models and massive amount of traffic data analytics to present you with the optimal route in real-time. Moreover, OBD-II trackers and traffic applications are combining AI algorithms and GPS technology for personalizing the user experience and making the journey easier.

Fleets have much to gain from powerful systems bolstered by Artificial Intelligence that can take care of everything from recommending routes to analyzing on-road risk management data and even training drivers to do their jobs safely. Where earlier technologies failed, AI succeeded in delivering accuracy, convenience, efficiency, and ease of operation, since it simplifies our lives.

A Basic Explanation of AI-based Fleet Management

Artificial Intelligence fleet management involves leveraging AI-based technology to oversee fleet operations. In a world that is changing constantly, AI streamlines the work of fleet managers by eliminating human error from all processes.

Recommendations from AI-powered solutions ensure fleet drivers, managers, and mechanics make better decisions that improve long-term fleet performance. It works as assistive tech to ensure drivers retain autonomy during each transport cycle. Here are some of the aspects of fleet management AI can optimize.

1)Fleet Analytics in Real-Time

Data collection is a mission-critical element in every operational process. After all, without conducting data analysis, it will not be possible for fleet managers to make informed decisions. Fleet managers can prioritize opportunities and risks when they have access to historical insights or data points to analyze in real time. Then, they can determine the best course of action to solve potentially problematic situations.

AI systems can accumulate data for predictive analytics, including information on traffic and road conditions, real-time weather, environmental hazards, and mechanical faults. You can use this data to predict incoming risks and make better routes, schedules, maintenance deliveries, and dispatch arrangements to improve your business activities and outcomes.

2)Decisions Regarding Repair and Maintenance

Expecting vehicles to operate entirely without human intervention may still seem somewhat futuristic. However, the feature of vehicular autonomy has been around longer than you probably know. Various household names among automobile brands have joined the race to build autonomous vehicles for a radically changing world of consumers. The history of autonomous vehicles is colorful and deserves attention. You can learn about it here.

Now, back to the matter at hand. AI can predict potential faults before they even happen. For instance, a regular vehicle with a diagnostics system will signal an issue affecting the engine only after it occurs. However, AI-powered IoT systems, data analytics, and predictive maintenance can detect faults before they even happen. Based on a study by evidence to prove that the need for automotive and diesel technicians will increase by up to 5% by 2028. Furthermore, the American Trucking Association predicts that there will be a severe shortage of drivers by 2026 - 175,000 to be exact.

Once the older generation of technicians and drivers retire, there will be a need for younger, tech-savvy replacements. Then again, it will create a problem with onboarding and training. Artificial Intelligence can eliminate the complexities by capturing the specialized skills of these workers before they leave.

This feature is particularly great for technicians who incorporate exclusive strategies to carry out their tasks. Artificial Intelligence can also suggest the most qualified drivers suitable for fulfilling the company's bottom line from a pool of hundreds and thousands of applicants, reducing recruiter strain.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence with Fleet Management

Devices or software programs empowered by AI are “sophisticated" in every sense of the word, as they are made of multiple applications and devices, such as predictive data analysis & machine learning systems, IoT, sensors & HD cameras, communication & display systems, and WiFi.

You have to know about the purpose served by every component before understanding how all of them come together to make fleet management a breeze.

1.IoT: The Internet of Things is now a household topic of discussion that refers to a network of sensors and actuators. They collect data from the environment continuously. In the field of fleet management, IoT captures adequate data for analysis. Simultaneously, it promotes seamless information sharing between all stakeholders in the supply chain, including manufacturers and retailers.

Fleet management IoT utilizes these three technologies;

• Wireless communication (4G, Bluetooth, WiFi) - to convey relevant information
• GPS - for real-time location tracking
• Onboard Diagnostics - OBDII scanners for self-diagnostics and reporting

2.Machine learning: ML allows fleets to learn from data collected over time and make managed adjustments based on the same. It results in the creation of smart systems in which Artificial Intelligence can learn the ability to make decisions that further enable more effective handling of practical situations.

3.HD cameras: Cameras allow fleet managers to capture and analyze video data they can access at any time to get a better view of driver behavior, hazards, or road conditions. An AI-powered system can perform the tasks mentioned below when connected to these components.

• Collecting road data accurately and transmitting the same to other devices
• Transferring information across every arm of the supply chain
• Analyzing data in real-time and educating the driver regarding the best course of action for any situation
• Detecting drowsy or distracted driving behaviors in drivers because they may cause an accident
• Capturing video footage of accidents from various external angles of the vehicle
• Conducting self-diagnostics and recommending solutions through predictive maintenance

Everything mentioned above is significant because they create a future for fleet management where human error becomes non-existent in various aspects of the transport cycle. Once implemented, you may get better results and cost savings.

AI will Dictate the Future of Fleet Management

Right now, the automotive industry faces several problems affecting profitability and fleet activities. Artificial Intelligence and telematics devices like a GPS fleet tracker can solve these issues and build a better future for businesses leveraging vehicle fleets if properly applied.

Some of these problems include,

Prioritizing risks and generating efficiency

• Risky driving behaviors leading to accidents
• Collecting data and analyzing it
• Risks on the road
• Cost containment
• Compliance

Other than risky behaviors, such as drowsy and distracted driving, fleet managers suggest drivers watch out for a few signs. Here are some of them,

• Constant blinking
• Yawning
• Missing exits or turns
• Using the phone
• Drifting out of the lane
• Slower reaction times

Normally, managers depend on their drivers to avoid these signs as they have no way of knowing whether a driver has been texting while driving or dozing off at the wheel. However, you can train AI systems to detect missed exits, head turns, blinking frequencies, yawning, and other signs of risky behavior. Then, you can broadcast these signals to fleet managers in real-time to let them take corrective measures.

Changes in road conditions present challenges for managers because they are difficult to detect without the right tools. These conditions pose risks, evident from the number of deaths they cause every year - 42,000! Predictive technology powered by Artificial Intelligence can reduce the risks associated with this issue by studying and charting routes. Simultaneously, it will draw from data gathered by other vehicles. AI can even be trained to make smart predictions about the weather and detect environmental changes, such as fog before a driver reaches that area.

What AI has in Store for Fleet Management

The future of businesses utilizing fleet vehicles looks more promising than ever because of the exciting applications of Artificial Intelligence in fleet management. Operational costs, unpredictable road conditions, and driver retention problems would become obsolete once fleets move to AI-powered devices and software. Stakeholders can benefit from the reliability and efficiency of this technology due to the reduction in accidents, costs, driver turnover, and other problems that may reflect on fleet service pricing. It can also ensure that other commuters on the road remain safe.

Vyncs is here to rethink and reshape mobility. Whether it is about location tracking, driver safety monitoring, or vehicle health reports, our connected car solutions use powerful onboard and in-cloud distributed data management and analytics platforms to access vehicle sensor data and provide valuable intelligence. We wish to roll out AI sooner rather than later, and when we do, we shall change the experience of fleet management for our customers beyond their comprehension.

Global car sales have dropped significantly since 2019 due to economic uncertainties and the supply chain crisis. However, one sector is growing consistently - electric vehicles (EVs). One study conducted by Meticulous Research claims that the EV market will continue to grow at a CAGR of 33.6%, citing a noteworthy shift to electronic automobiles in both Light Commercial Vehicles and Heavy Commercial Vehicles. Fleet electrification, augmented by a GPS fleet tracker, has a crucial role in driving the market of electric vehicles.

According to McKinsey, this growth in fleet electrification is the result of incentives, such as restrictive carbon emission regulations, subsidies from the government to reduce the EV purchase price, more investments in charging infrastructure, etc. Apart from these, other projects will make EVs occupy 10% to 15% of all fleet vehicles running on the roads of the USA by 2030.

Then again, the same obstacles impeding EV consumer adoption prevent fleet operators from ensuring reliability and operating optimally. In many cases, fleets have to work under efficiency and time-related constraints.

Route Optimization to Decrease EV Range

One of the most significant barriers preventing EV adoption is the distance they can cover after one recharge cycle. “Range anxiety" is the term used by experts to describe the problem. It is concerning for fleet operators as their vehicles remain on the road constantly, moving from one place to another to deliver goods and services. Fleet vehicles rack up higher daily mileage than the average consumer car. An unscheduled stop will inevitably lead to expensive delays, as it takes almost 20 to 30 minutes to charge a vehicle. Such situations are unacceptable to fleet managers.

Fortunately, a connected vehicle solution can provide relevant data to fleet operators that they can use to plan the daily routes of their vehicles while considering static factors, such as the distance and order of stops, and dynamic aspects, such as road hazards, traffic conditions, and inclement weather. When it comes to EVs, connected vehicle systems can use EV intelligence to gather info from historical data and predict battery “dead zones" dynamically along the route. Once this data is available, an intelligent routing algorithm can offer battery-charging recommendations considering factors, such as availability & charge point types along the route and wait times when the vehicle should be close to the recommended charge point, etc. It optimizes the cost and time per charge, apart from the routes. These factors also have mission-critical roles in choosing the appropriate charging partners or deciding to launch a self-owned-and-operated charge point network. Fleet managers should be able to alert drivers and alter the route to a new optimum to handle unexpected delays that deplete the battery quickly.

The Charging Infrastructure

Another matter of concern is the availability of charging points. One report from Exro states that the public charging infrastructure is the most profound challenge blocking consumers from adopting EVs, primarily emphasizing on charging point accessibility.

Things are much more problematic for fleets because they have to complete deliveries reliably and punctually. Therefore, fleet managers should consider supplementing their onsite charging infrastructure with extra charging options. They have several ways to do so, including depot roaming via partner sites, setting up dedicated sites along the road network, and entering into dedicated agreements with the charging point operators.

The issue of charging is complicated, and it has questions that need answering for every deal or site, around-site design, the perfect mix of charging equipment, which charging provider to work with, power grid sufficiency, etc.

EV intelligence and EV data can answer most of these questions. The former, with a destination/origin matrix of the fleet’s routes, can pinpoint relevant low-battery zones and correlate them with the grid. It can also point to optimal locations to set up charging sites. The latter, on the other hand, informs fleet operators about how they utilize fleet vehicles, the distance covered, routes, and charging characteristics. When put together, these data points can help fleets create a strategy to roll out electric vehicles while maximizing ROI.

Replacement for Fuel Cards

If business owners electrify the vehicles used by employees, they have to answer the question of charging reimbursements. Conventionally, ICEs utilized fuel cards. As a result, the company had the bills handed to it. Charging EVs comes with an entirely new set of challenges. Charge cards will be partially effective, but even then, they limit the driver to specific charging providers, and this situation contributes to range anxiety.

There is also the matter of calculating the cost of charging the vehicle at an employee’s house. This point requires as much consideration as everything else. By utilizing EV data, companies can determine how much they must compensate an employee for at-home charging. Fuel cards are losing relevance with every passing day, especially with a GPS fleet tracker empowered by connected car technology that makes charge reimbursement transparent to employees.

EVs and Telematics - A Game-Changing Combination for Fleet Operations

More and more people are embracing electric vehicles - a move spearheaded by fleet electrification. Fleets can start enjoying cost benefits immediately after replacing ICEs with EVs in the form of government incentives, such as tax rebates and subsidies on the purchase price. After buying the vehicles, fleets can keep reaping operational cost advantages by using EV data to optimize routing, assess suitability, manage EV charge reimbursements, plan battery-charging infrastructure, and more.

Now, what role does a telematics brand like Vyncs have to play here? Creating a sustainable fleet strategy is not going to be child’s play, especially if the business owner has mandates to handle. However, it is achievable with an appropriate plan in place. If you can pull it off, the results will be highly rewarding.

It is precisely where we can help you. We are committed not only to help our fleet customers run their businesses, but also encourage and aid them in the sustainability journey by unearthing insights from real-world data to reduce carbon emissions and expenses without affecting operational efficiency.

Vyncs is a full-service connected car solution that aims to join the EV revolution. We utilize 4G wireless networks to transmit your vehicle’s data to your account, accessible through your computer or Android/iOS smartphone.

When winter approaches with all its coldness and bleakness, it becomes important for fleet operators to take appropriate protective measures for their operations. It will be some time for the days to get warmer, even after the holiday season ends depending on where you are. To stay safe on the roads this winter, consider using a telematics solution powered by a fleet vehicle tracker and check out the guidelines explained below.

Winter Driving Safety Tips for Fleet Vehicles

1. Prepare for Every Situation:

You should start by inspecting your equipment. Make sure you have what you need before starting the journey. Prepare for every possible situation by creating a kit containing the following items.

• Ice Scraper and De-icer – Needless to say, you need these to remove snow and ice from the front and rear windscreens before you set off.
• Shovel and a Bag of Salt or Sand – This may come in handy in case you get stuck somewhere.
• Jump Cables – You may need this if your truck or someone else’s will not start.
• Flashlight - You can use it if you find yourself stuck on a deserted part of a road at night. The flashlight will also work as a signaling device on foggy or stormy days.
• High-visibility Jacket - As the name suggests, it increases visibility. In case you are stuck somewhere on the road, put it on for your own safety and let rescuers or roadside assistance providers know where you are.
• Blankets and Clothes - It always pays to carry extra clothes and blankets, particularly during the winter. You can use those if you get stranded somewhere for fighting off hypothermia.
• Food and Water - You will need that if you find yourself stuck somewhere awaiting recovery or held up by traffic.
• Keep Half a Tank of Gas as Backup - A trip may take longer than expected, or you may need an alternative path.

2.Truck Inspections

You may have to alter your regular inspection schedules during the winter in order to make sure that your fleet vehicles are in top shape. Prioritize the following areas of your vehicles.

• Tires - Look for wear and tear. Also, check tire pressure and balance.
• Battery - Check the power source and charging system.
• Wipers - The blades should be free from ice and snow to work.
• Fluid levels - Keep the fluid levels optimal.
• Exhaust - The exhaust pipe should not have snow stuck inside.
• Defrosters - Make sure they are functioning properly.

Conducting paper-based walk-around inspections will be much more difficult in the cold. Instead, use connected vehicle solutions with mobile applications. They eliminate the risks of getting the paperwork wet. You will not have to worry about illegible handwriting or administrative support to input the data into a database.

3. Weather Updates

Stay updated with weather info before starting the journey. Also, remain aware of changing conditions and closed routes through radio or GPS. Telematics platforms can be profoundly helpful in these situations, as they can discover the precise locations of your drivers and the roads they take. Telematics solutions equipped with routing capabilities also let you find alternative, safer routes.

4. Be Careful while Driving

Sharp, sudden movements may cause you to lose control. Similarly, rough braking or hard acceleration will reduce tire traction. Vyncs can help you control many aspects of driving, including acceleration and deceleration. Keep the vehicle steady by maintaining a consistent speed. Remember to hit the brakes slowly. Keep a safe distance between you and the automobile in front so that you have enough braking distance in icy conditions. Researchers have evidence that over 17% of all vehicle accidents happen during the winter. Naturally, drivers must do the following.

• Take it Slow - Accidents occur when drivers travel too fast. Speeding is especially dangerous for truck drivers as these vehicles take more time to come to a halt than a car. Drivers should take the time needed to get accustomed to how a vehicle handles. In doing so, it will become relatively easier to drive it on snow-covered roads.
• Keep Extra Space - Increase the stopping distance to allow the others ahead of your time to react when driving in bad weather or poor road conditions. During such situations, one must increase the normal stopping distance by at least ten times. Don’t forget that a truck needs more time to come to a standstill than a smaller car. Folks tend to associate hazardous weather primarily with ice and snow, but elements like fog, rain, and sun glare can impact driver safety significantly too.

5. Use the Turn Signals

Fleet drivers follow one rule when changing lanes, regardless of the road condition. When they drive, they blink the turn signals four to five times before moving to the next lane. They adhere to this rule religiously. If your drivers don’t follow it yet, make sure that they do. Matching the speed with the other motorists is not necessary. The driver should control the vehicle by maintaining the speed and using the hazard lights. This act informs other commuters on the road that the fleet driver is going slower than them.

6. The Biggest Dangers

Driving heavy-duty vehicles in winter can be hazardous. Below you will find a list of the most dangerous natural and artificial elements to watch out for.

• Black Ice - When the temperature drops below zero, keep your eyes peeled for clues of black ice on the roads. It is a life-threatening condition and manifests in the form of a thin layer of transparent ice that makes the road surface look slightly wet. If you notice ice build-up on the antennae, mirror arms, and the top corners of the windshield, you can be sure about the presence of black ice on the road.
• Fog - When drivers encounter thick, heavy fog that limits visibility, ask them to use the dippers to slow down, even if they are comfortable with the speed. Tell them to use the demisters and wipers to keep the windscreen clean.
• Bridges - Bridges and other elevated structures freeze first. Usually, they don’t get treated with sand or salt to melt the ice and snow, either. Fleet drivers should approach these areas carefully to avoid losing control by spinning out.

7. Set up Winter Tires

Safe winter driving does not start only with a fleet vehicle tracker but also with a set of winter tires. Visit NHTSA if you wish to review safety ratings first. Road conditions tend to change within moments during the winter months, and having these tires is the first step to being safe and prepared. Make sure that you replace existing winter tires once the tread depth reaches 4/32". Brand new tires have a tread depth of 12/32". Practicing proper tire etiquette is also crucial. Using winter tires during the warmer months will wear them down rapidly.

8. Use Tire Chains

Tire chains have been around for some time as they are an old and proven method for improving traction on icy roads. These chains have a simple working principle - the roughness factor increases friction dramatically and delivers traction to the vehicle. Just remember that every state in the USA has different tire chain laws in place. Specific highways may even utilize more precise norms, but such instances are few and far between. These laws prevent drivers from damaging the road because the chain can dig into the surface once the protective layer of ice and snow is gone. This situation ruins the tires too.

9. Inspect the Batteries

Batteries have to work harder than usual in the winter to get the engine running. Low temperatures increase engine oil viscosity, which reduces movement speed. As a result, the amount of power needed by the battery to jump-start important processes increases. If you don’t pay attention to it, you may end up with a vehicle that does not start. Cold temperatures also affect the chemical reaction taking place inside the battery when you turn on the ignition. Fortunately, there are ways to counter this problem.

• Power it down - Indeed, at times, the driver is the only one to blame for winter battery drainage. Remind your drivers to turn off the cabin lights and headlights properly at the end of a day’s work.
• Loose cables or corrosion - The battery terminals can get corroded with time, which, in turn, would affect the connection between the cell and cable. Check the terminals for signs of rust or cracks and pull the cables to see if they are tight.

10. The Cooling System

Checking the cooling systems of fleet vehicles when it is snowing outside may seem strange. However, these systems keep the engines operating optimally within the appropriate temperature range throughout the year. If you choose the wrong coolant, it may freeze and cause maintenance issues. Therefore, pick a temperature-appropriate product.

Keeping Vehicles and Drivers Safe

Well, there you have it - an inclusive list of winter driving safety tips for fleet vehicles and drivers. If you follow these guidelines, you can continue your business unhindered in the winter without worrying about mishaps.

Connected car technologies can also come to the rescue of fleet drivers and vehicles when winter commuting becomes almost impossible. For instance, telematics devices can tell you where your drivers and vehicles are during a severe winter storm. If they get caught up, you can relay the information to customers waiting for their deliveries.

Connected vehicle devices collect valuable data about driver behavior, including speeding, aggressive braking, sharp cornering, etc. This information can tell you which drivers follow safety protocols and help you intervene and prevent risky behavior before anything untoward happens.

Vyncs is the market-leading connected vehicle solution available at no monthly fee, no contract, a thirty-day money-back guarantee, and free-of-charge services for a year! Whether you need real-time GPS location & tracking, driver safety, vehicle health inspection, fuel management, heavy-duty vehicle support, fleet management support, or tax benefits, we can deliver.

Fleet insurance happens to be one of the most effective options for insuring several vehicles under one policy. Business owners can insure multiple vehicles efficiently and in a tailored way with fleet insurance. Simultaneously, they can eliminate the dependence on individual policies. This particular policy variant is convenient for organizations operating a fleet as it,

• Decreases the number of policies to track, simplifying the tasks of the administrative staff
• Eases the chore of adding or removing vehicles to the insurance policy resulting from business scaling
• Makes adding drivers to the insurance policy simpler because they are consigned
• Lets businesses provide insurance coverage to all drivers of all vehicles or delegate specific fleet vehicles to specific drivers

Researchers from the NIOHS say that on-the-job collisions forced employers to spend $39 billion in the USA in 2019. To avoid such situations, having an all-inclusive fleet insurance policy, along with a fleet vehicle GPS tracker, is mandatory.

Things Covered by Insurance

According to Global Fleet, almost 8.1 million cars and trucks in the USA belong to the “fleet vehicle" category, with fleets occupying more than five automobiles. It amounts to around 3% of the total number of vehicles plying on the highways and byways of the nation. The presence of so many fleet vehicles and other types of automobiles on the road increases the possibility of collisions. Every driver should be covered under an insurance policy to ensure behind-the-wheel safety.

Below you will find the descriptions of the two primary components of commercial vehicle insurance coverage.

Automobile Liability

This insurance covers physical injuries and property damage to third parties involved in an accident. Therefore, if one of your drivers causes the collision, automobile liability will cover the medical bills of the other party and property reconstruction or provide full or partial replacement.

Automobile Physical Damage

It refers to damage done to the vehicle you own after a collision or other mishap. Usually, there is a choice between a basic package and something more inclusive that covers other damages.

Fleet Insurance Pocket Pinch

Determining the exact price of fleet insurance is challenging as there is no flat rate. However, a few factors can affect expenses. You will find a breakdown of those aspects below.

1. The Industry

There are a few industries very popular for exhibiting risky driving habits, such as taxi service providers, couriers, and personal drivers. They belong in this category because they have to adhere to strict time factors. These organizations get higher insurance premiums as the punctuality of their drivers dictates their performance.

2. The Vehicle Type

The vehicle you drive determines how much you must pay for insurance, just like conventional vehicle insurance. A few attributes affecting insurance costs include annual mileage, vehicle age, and the location the driver will take it to and park after use.

3. The Number of Vehicles

Generally, insurance costs go down if the number of vehicles in the fleet goes up. This adds to the difficulties of small businesses with small fleets to reduce insurance premium costs effectively.

4. Old Collisions or Claim Histories

Whenever you get in touch with a new insurance provider, you will have to show your fleet insurance history. You also have to disclose any collisions that have occurred in the past or claims you may have submitted. The insurance cost may surge if these instances are significant.

5. The MVR

MVR is the abbreviated term for Motor Vehicle Records. Many fleet companies have to ensure their drivers update their MVR every few years. This record contains events, including collisions, moving violations, suspensions, criminal charges, etc. Insurance premiums may increase if the drivers have a history of rash on-road behaviors.

6. The Location

Fleet companies operating in cities with many drivers may have to pay more insurance costs. Operating in rural areas, on the other hand, is not as risky as there are not many drivers on the road.

7. Any Deductibles

It is assumable that a higher deductible will ensure the cost of insurance premiums remain low.

Guide to UBI

UBI or Usage-Based Insurance, also called pay-as-you-drive or telematics insurance, is calculated depending on the habits of the drivers. When you use a plug-and-play device, such as an ELD, OBD tracker, mobile app, or OEM, data is accumulated to determine the driving tendencies of the fleet. It includes data about rapid acceleration, rash driving, distracted driving, unsafe braking, and sharp turns. Insurance providers will go through this information and use it to ascertain the price of a policy that accounts for the fleet's operational safety. You will get the benefit of more savings if your drivers perform optimally behind the wheel.

Ways to Cut Fleet Insurance Costs

Even with various factors contributing to higher insurance rates, you can keep your expenses down and ensure that you don’t spend a penny more than necessary on fleet insurance. Here are a few effective ways to lower fleet insurance costs.

Drivers’ Room for Improvement

Consider using driver scoring systems to identify where drivers can improve. This strategy also helps you determine which drivers require advanced training. The presence of certificates and other similar documents achieved after completing training courses will help bolster the fleet manager’s commitment to safety and effective driving from the viewpoint of an insurance company.

Vehicle Telematics

The presence of connected car systems can help you accumulate data from fleet vehicles, which, in turn, will allow you to save money on insurance. Telematics devices and associated software programs gather info about driver safety that you can supply to the insurance provider. In doing so, you can prove that you operate your fleet safely and cut down expenses. This insurance calculation method is suitable for usage-based insurance.

Selecting a Provider of Fleet insurance

Insurer selection tends to be time-consuming, but it is highly personal. The experience is also customizable. So, it differs from one business to another.

Here is a list of how you can secure the perfect fleet insurance plan for your organization.

1. Familiarize yourself with the data and how you compare to facilitate the estimation process. When you benchmark yourself against other companies, you get an idea of where you stand in terms of operating safely. It will let you determine the kind of situations you should get insured for. From there, you should be able to create a checklist of everything you should look for and questions you must ask while exploring your options.
2. Prioritize insurers offering add-ons that may prove valuable to the fleet. Here are a few of those extras worth considering.
• Higher liability coverage
• More coverage for physical damage
• Coverage for roadside assistance
• Product insurance for the assets in transit
• Coverage for uninsured motorists
3. Look for insurance firms that reduce premiums on no claims or shift to UBI programs.
• Those who have never made an insurance claim earlier should look into insurance providers offering discounts for clean driving records.
• You should also ask insurers if they offer UBI policies so that you can use safe driving data to reduce insurance rates.

Fleet Insurance Policy Management

There is more to selecting a fleet insurance policy. After picking the one that you believe will be suitable for your business, you must pay attention to a few other aspects for as long as the policy lasts.

Insurance Payments

The insurance agent you work with should be able to create a plan that suits your needs in every way. Payment plans primarily depend on how much flexibility you require and the type of insurance you select. The policy length may also play a dictatorial role, but in most instances, the contract lasts one year. Payments take place through automatic bank withdrawals, money orders, cheques, or credit cards. Here are the three most common payment plans in the insurance industry.

• One Upfront Payment

This one is often the simplest choice when the insurance policy is transparent and does not allow any changes throughout the term. Paying upfront further ensures there will be no monthly service charge. As a result, you get to save some money every month.

• Three Equal Payments

Paying three times a year makes things more flexible. This option is suitable for you if you don’t want to deal with the stress or fees of monthly payments and don’t want to pay a one-year upfront fee, either.

• Monthly Payments

Normally, insurance providers charge a service fee or interest when their clients opt for monthly fleet insurance payments. Then again, monthly payments are suitable for businesses in need of flexibility or can’t invest in year-long policies at the beginning. If you have to cancel the policy, you will not have to wait to get the prorated amount for the rest of the contract refunded. The insurance provider will just cancel the remainder of the monthly payments.

Contract Renewals

When going through the particulars of the policy with the insurer, you will notice that it includes contract length info and when you must renew. Most policies renew annually, but you can change it to monthly or semi-annually if you think you will benefit from the extra flexibility.

Extra Coverage

You may require additional coverage you did not have in your policy originally as you continue your work throughout the year. There are several additives you can include in your policy. Nonetheless, here are a few fundamentals.

• Upset or collision coverage

If a vehicle in your fleet is in a crash with another and your driver causes it, collision coverage will pay for your repairs or replacement. In most commercial auto policies, you have to shell out money to cover the damages if it causes a collision.

• Comprehensive coverage

This additive protects the vehicle from damage resulting from natural disasters, such as an earthquake, a tornado, severe snowstorms, or hailstorms. It even provides coverage from theft and vandalism. Comprehensive coverage is an addition that deserves your attention, especially if you operate out of a geographic zone with intense weather conditions or a high crime rate.

• All perils coverage

As you can guess, all perils coverage is for all potential scenarios. It is akin to a combination of collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.

• Specified perils coverage

This additive should be your choice if you need coverage for something specific. For instance, if you need coverage for only the engine, it will fall under specified perils coverage.

How Vyncs Can Help

Vyncs is more than just a provider of a fleet vehicle GPS tracker. From location tracking to driver safety monitoring, we can give you insights on just about everything. Vyncs leverages powerful onboard and in-cloud distributed data management and analytics platforms to access vehicle sensor data and provide valuable intelligence.

As a leading connected car solution provider, we have experience analyzing vehicle sensor data and blending the same with contextual data to enhance the mobility experience.

However, that does not mean we can’t help you with savings. The fuel-related information that we provide, for instance, will help you reduce consumption and save money and fuel while preserving the environment. We can also help you utilize telematics data to cut down insurance costs and promote safe driving.

Human beings, especially teenagers, don’t like to be monitored. However, when parents do that responsibly and engage the kids through discussions about driver safety, they often respond positively. After all, when monitoring is not perceived as an infringement of privacy but rather a reflection of love and care, we usually enjoy and welcome that.

However, monitoring kids every time they drive is not easy. Parents have busy schedules. They do not always have the time to accompany their kids when they drive. The Vyncs GPS tracking device will come in handy during times like these. When you cannot ride along, it is definitely the next best thing to have because it remains connected not only to the car but also, optionally, to mobile devices. One could also make a case for having Vyncs onboard even when you are riding along with your teenage driver since it helps store and analyze driving data with little effort.

For instance, you can use it to create a “curfew time" window during which you will not entertain your teenage children’s demands or requests to drive for their safety. You will get a “curfew hour notification" on your phone, tablet, or PC if they attempt to turn on the engine during this time. They will have access to the keys and the privileges you provide them with before this curfew period.

In short, you can monitor your teenage kids and learn everything about their driving behavior.

The Perks of Observing

About thirteen years ago, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) studied the driving capabilities of eighty-four drivers in Washington D.C. aged between sixteen and seventeen using monitoring gadgets.

After running the analysis for twenty-four weeks, the researchers determined that the automobiles outfitted with these devices rolled down the streets differently. The drivers made fewer risky moves compared to the vehicles without the monitoring devices.

Another study in 2015 took place at the HumanFIRST Laboratory of the University of Minnesota. As expected, the conclusion was the same. Three hundred teens participated in this field test that lasted twelve months and studied the effects of real-time driving monitoring.

The conductors of the analysis even informed the parents before their kids stepped out of line for any reason. Like the previous test, teenagers who realized they were under the lens of their parents did not overspeed.

Unsupervised drivers drove faster than the acceptable limit between ten and fifteen percent of the driving period, whereas only one percent of the monitored drivers crossed the velocity threshold.

Now, it is time to delve into the benefits of using an OBD2 GPS tracker.

Following the Vehicle

Onboard diagnostics devices gather data every second, analyze it, and transfer it to your cloud account via a wireless network. As you can probably guess, you will be able to keep your eyes digitally fixed on your teenage kid if you wanted to. You don't have to be physically present inside the automobile to do it.

Staying in the Loop

Our device lets users create “Geofences" from their accounts. In a way, they can mark the area they want their teenage kids to stay within. If they exit this zone, you will know instantly. As opposed to other products, we can provide you with a much more powerful “Geofencing" system that lets you create polygonal shapes instead of just circular ones.

Polygonal “Geofences" allows the user to map out a location of interest instead of relying on a generalized area’s beacon to run everything. The polygonal “Geofence" variant ensures that you can acquire data only from a place that interests you. It is also more customizable than the centroid type.

Determining the Way they Drive

What if you had a way to know when the driver accelerates rapidly and crosses the predetermined limit? It is a common occurrence among teenagers, followed by harsh braking. Speed is thrilling to them, and rough braking becomes their only recourse for avoiding mishaps. Both are detrimental to the car and unsafe.

With our device connected to the automobile, you will receive notifications of these instances in a matter of seconds. Our speeding histogram displays the amount of time the driver spends in a specific speed above the threshold for extended periods.

Timely Problem Solving

Once connected to the car, our device will accumulate code-based data associated with any problems accessible only via the OBDII port. You will be the first to know everything that happens to the automobile by using it. Armed with this information, you can take the right action at the appropriate moment.

Whether the driver of the vehicle is aware of the issue or not, you’ll be timely informed.

Product Selection

Whether you need the tracking device for yourself or your teenage kid, you will inevitably have to handle the product selection. You will want to make an informed decision here - something the following pointers can help you with.

Ease of Installation

Tracking devices built for the OBDII port, such as the one we offer, are easy to install. Most people don’t need professional support but feel free to do so if you believe you require it. Ease of installation is, undoubtedly, the first point of consideration.

Compatibility

The next thing you need to look into is whether the device will work with the car you own or not. While OBD and other similar connected car devices are compatible with various vehicles, there are never any guarantees regarding suitability.

Therefore, remember to check with the brand and manufacturer.

Rate of Battery Drainage

OBD systems, like car alarms, can drain a significant amount of battery. It is probably a concern to you as much as it is to many others. After installation, the battery can be under constant strain, no matter how insignificant. Eventually, it will wear out the power source.

Instead of choosing a product arbitrarily, you should go for one that has a “power conservation mode" or “sleep mode." The device will enter the power-saving phase as soon as the driver shuts off the engine, which will reduce the pressure exerted on the car battery. Usually, during this phase, the best trackers drain not more than 5mA.

Device Capabilities

When it comes to vehicle monitoring and security, every device will exhibit different abilities. Naturally, you must determine the types of information the device will monitor before you decide anything.

These machines, including the one we have created, can gauge driver behavior, overall vehicle health, speed, and several others as soon as you connect them to the OBDII port.

Wrapping it up

Teenagers display eagerness and urgency to earn their parents’ trust and confidence. After all, it is the only way they can secure more driving privileges than they already enjoy. They will go to any lengths to avoid losing the car keys for a while.

You can enforce the predetermined driving norms and reinforce the importance of developing appropriate driving habits by using Vyncs. This strategy is profoundly more effective than punishing the kid.

Let’s face it! While Mother Nature is incredibly generous in the way it provides, it can be unforgiving at times. This is especially true for fleets that are not well equipped with the data-oriented approach to inspection and replacement to reduce downtime. This is where using a GPS tracking device for effective fleet management becomes all the more necessary.

As the “cooling off" month (fall) starts rolling in, fleets that don’t take seasonal maintenance seriously can encounter a unique set of challenges. That’s why, it’s critical for fleet managers to ensure that no dead battery, for example, or faulty equipment has the potential to cause delays in effective operation.

Why Take Special Vehicle Care Before Fall and Winter?

With summer but a fading memory, and fall around the corner, it’s time to prepare vehicles for the upcoming winter months. Now that summer is gone, it's easy to overlook how heat took a toll on a vehicle’s performance. Engine overheating, issues in the sensors, & air conditioning system happen as a result of extreme humidity and heat in the environment.

Roads play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of your fleet. Fall and winter tend to bring unique road challenges for fleet drivers, which can be overcome with an effective fall vehicle maintenance checklist.

It’s no secret that winter breezes can create an outright roadway challenge in the form of ice, and snow. As cooler temperatures start to settle in, rain showers and storms are about to come our way. Due to a notable change in the weather, it becomes quite difficult to drive during winter. Not only do the dropping temperatures affect your vehicle’s health, but significant changes in road conditions also follow.

Extreme weather elements like snow and storms could result in flat tires, dying batteries (due to freezing temperatures during winter), and faulty heating systems.

Now the question is, “How do you ensure your fleet vehicles are prepared for driving in the upcoming season?" It’s as simple as servicing the essential parts of your vehicles ahead of time. Fleet vehicles that are not inspected and serviced on and ahead of time can lead to increased downtime and decreased fuel economy.

Common Myths about Vehicle Maintenance

We have all heard myths about how we should maintain vehicles. Often, we don’t know for a fact if they are true or not. So, let’s debunk a few of those to start with.

Myth: There are lubricants and other additives in modern engine oil that help extend the oil’s lifetime. For vehicles that are 15-year-old or newer, it’s recommended to change oil at intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Fact: Soot and other impurities are derived from the combustion process, which in turn, get absorbed by the engine oil, compromising the quality of the oil. The US Department of Energy suggests checking with the vehicle’s maintenance manual to determine the proper oil change frequency.

Myth: There’s no need to change brake fluid.

Fact: Brakes are the most essential safety tools on vehicles. Ensuring they’re in good working condition should be a priority for fleet managers. The recommended intervals for changing brake fluid are two- or three-year. However, it depends on the vehicle’s make and model, so it’s best to follow the car’s maintenance schedule.

Myth: Tires should be replaced once the tread depth reaches 4/32" during winter months, and 2-32" during summertime.

Fact: While most manufacturers, these days, and certain regulations in most states suggest that drivers should wait until tread depth reaches the above-mentioned levels, it causes a potential safety hazard for the driver and the occupants inside.

The Fall Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

• Is Your Vehicle’s Battery Working Fine?

Nothing is more effective than inspecting your vehicle’s battery before it’s too late. That way, you know that the cables and terminals are well-protected from harsh weather elements. Batteries tend to wear down over time, so, it makes sense to be proactive about replacing or repairing them.

• Worn Tires are Safety Hazards

Did you know that your vehicle’s mileage can be increased by 0.6% by keeping tires inflated to the optimal pressure? Without proper maintenance (like correct inflation pressure), tires are more likely to fail, causing drivers to lose traction on the toad. Worn tires can be dangerous, especially when the roads are wet. So, experts recommend measuring your tire’s pressure at least once a month. Also, before inflating the tires, it’s good to check the recommended tire pressure.

• Is the Heating System in Good Shape?

Before the temperatures start dropping, checking the heating system of your vehicle can make a world of difference. After sitting idle for months, the heating system of your vehicle may not function up to par. Without checking its efficiency before fall and winter, you are more likely to get stranded on the road.

• Headlights are Important Too

Headlights are vehicles’ first line of defense, especially at night and in adverse weather conditions. With time, exposure to the elements can cause them to become damaged. Dirt and debris can accumulate on the surface, causing the lenses to grow unclear, and lessen the intensity of light coming out. That’s why it’s important to regularly check the headlights and make sure the glasses are crystal clear.

Automate Fleet Vehicle Maintenance with GPS Tracking

Besides taking measures to keep your fleet’s costs under check, creating a safer experience for your fleet drivers is important too. With automation taking the world by storm, fleet managers are now in a better position to deal with complex vehicle maintenance tasks with greater accuracy.

In this era that we live in, the advent of digital fleet tracking is not only vital in managing a fleet of vehicles but it also helps create and stick to a regular vehicle maintenance schedule.

With GPS tracking technology, now fleets can keep tabs on the vehicles, streamline vehicle maintenance, optimize productivity, and more. from keeping records, setting up alerts regarding vehicle health & maintenance, tracking driver habits & giving them the necessary training, and creating schedules to tracking records in real-time, there’s virtually no limit as to how much you can gain.

Want to know how Vyncs can help? Do reach out to us for further information!

Today’s demanding business environment needs fleet managers to deal with the supply chain from a unique and cost-effective standpoint. At its core, the fleet manager’s job is to boost productivity, while decreasing operational costs. Managing transport logistics is a huge responsibility, and your decisions will always have an impact on your business’s bottom line.

Fleet vehicles are the backbone of the economy of a nation, supporting a diverse array of day-to-day functions. Fleet vehicle maintenance plays a crucial role in a successful operation of a business. Data suggests that operating costs in fleets had increased since 2018 after remaining flat for five years, largely because of higher fuel prices and vehicle maintenance costs (Automotive Fleet). Therefore, coming up with an updated plan by leveraging telematics technology (e.g. a GPS tracker for cars) to reduce costs has become more necessary than ever.

Embracing the Power of Actionable Intelligence

Powerful forces in the market continue to shape the commercial and transport industry. The economic upheaval following the COVID-19 crisis made it even more difficult for fleet managers to keep pace with the change. However, a crisis can pave the way for a host of opportunities to approach things differently and drive change.

This is where, fleet management technologies can play a vital role in reducing maintenance costs, and helping fleet managers to reduce downtime. After all, your business is unlikely to benefit when your fleet vehicles are down and off-the-road.

By 2024, approximately 83% of all new on- and off-road vehicles will have telematics embedded (PTOLEMUS Consulting Group). Forward-looking fleet managers that are keen to extend vehicle life and improve operations across their fleets are already realizing and reaping the potential benefits of telematics.

Fleet vehicle telematics is an emerging trend in the connected car ecosystem that enables managers to diagnose faults before they become critical. A more proactive way to manage vehicle maintenance relies on the insights collected from vehicles. The automotive industry is undergoing a digital transformation, allowing fleet managers to minimize vehicle downtime with data-driven maintenance and insights.

Preventative Maintenance Through Telematics

Vehicle preventative maintenance with the help of fleet telematics devices can mean a world of difference. Most fleet managers, if not all, consider fleet telematics solutions a way to track vehicle location. However, the concept behind telematics technology goes much beyond monitoring vehicle locations. It provides fleet managers with more information and control over their vehicles. In fact, telematics devices do a phenomenal job by providing a massive amount of vehicle performance data, including but not limited to:

• Vehicle health and performance fault codes
• Battery health alerts
• Vehicle emissions score
• Vehicle health scoring
• Maintenance alerts
• Manufacturer recall alerts

Knowing what is going on with your vehicles in real-time means you can reduce downtime and get them back on the road faster when they break down. Ignoring a “check engine" warning light induced by a faulty oxygen sensor can worsen the performance of the catalytic converter, which is usually 6 times more expensive (Official Magazine of the Automotive Service Association) and can result in poor fuel economy.

Real-time GPS tracking devices with the help of telematics can provide you with insights related to faults with your vehicle ahead of time. Thus, you will be able to carry out proactive maintenance and prevent further breakdowns even before they take place. It has been estimated that businesses can save between 12% and 18% through preventative maintenance over reactive maintenance (Webinar Care).

Telematics: Enabling Fleet Management and Optimization

Using a telematics-based fleet maintenance plan can mean that you are better able to avoid the risks of sudden breakdowns. The lifespan of fleet vehicles depends on the maintenance and repairs being done on or ahead of time. Leveraging real-time GPS tracking technology to handle fleet maintenance enables you to schedule maintenance, create predictive & preventative maintenance programs, and encourage annual maintenance.

With rapid technology advancements, there are more opportunities to integrate telematics with vehicle maintenance can deliver greater efficiency, more accurate performance, and reduced costs, among others. Would you like to know how Vyncs can help you work out a plan to ensure better management? Contact us today to learn more.

At the beginning of the year, gasoline prices were at record highs, largely due to increased demand as the pandemic receded. However, after months of incessant high prices at the pump, there has been a sigh of relief in recent weeks.

The national average for a regular gallon of gasoline dropped to $3.95, according to data released on August 15, 2022, by the American Automobile Association.

While average gasoline prices have dropped below $4 per gallon in 9 states, it accounts for a significant monthly expense for many fleets and motorists in the USA. With global oil and gas prices being highly volatile, they are struggling to find ways to reduce costs and increase mileage.

In such a scenario, when fuel prices are extremely volatile, how to improve gas mileage and reduce costs? Since fuel is a major contributor to a fleet’s operational costs, it’s important for fleet managers to keep tabs on fuel consumption and take the right measures to make the most of it. Thus, they will be better able to keep operational costs down.

Since driving behavior plays an important role in reducing fuel consumption, it would make sense if you knew the key components of driving behavior in the first place. Learn about the factors influencing fuel use and costs.

Improved Fuel Economy Means Taking the Right Measures

Poor driving habits are not just detrimental to one’s safety, they can dig a hole in your pocket too. Even little changes in your driving and vehicle maintenance habits can help reduce costs. The introduction of vehicle tracking devices has made it easier for you to analyze the areas where changes are needed in terms of getting better mileage and reducing costs.

While fuel prices are volatile now, using GPS tracking technology is a sure-fire way to stretch your gas mileage and enjoy better fuel economy. Let’s delve into the tips provided by the American Automobile Association.

Make the Smart Move: Slow Down

We cannot put enough stress on the importance of driving within the speed limit. On the highway, when speed increases over 50 mph, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy and gas mileage to drop off (AAA). Maintaining a steady speed throughout can help you save money on fuel. Make sure your fleet drivers are trained to abide by speed limits and understand the need to maintain reasonable speed both for safety and savings.

To ensure this, you may consider using real-time GPS tracking technology to keep track of aggressive driving habits including speeding, harsh braking, acceleration, tailgating, and more.

Unnecessary Idling Does More Harm Than Good

The US Department of Energy recommends against unnecessary idling as it can be a significant source of fuel waste, leaving residues on the engine that eventually damages its components, causing higher maintenance costs in the long run.

Vehicle manufacturers think that idling is unnecessary in modern vehicles. This is why they encourage eco-driving to increase fuel economy and reduce carbon footprints on the planet.

Getting the Junk Out of the Trunk

A significant boost in gas mileage comes from reducing weight in a vehicle. A lot of us don’t realize how harmful it is to accumulate stuff in the trunk of a vehicle. Not only does it hamper the vehicle’s aesthetics but also its efficiency. According to the data released by the US Department of Energy, de-cluttering 100 pounds can help improve a vehicle’s fuel economy by 2%.

Maintaining proper tire pressure, using the grade of motor oil recommended by the car’s manufacturer, changing air filters at regular intervals, and ensuring the engine is tuned properly - are crucial factors that contribute to a greater miles-per-gallon.

Abrupt Slamming on the Brakes is Not Recommended

The harder the engine works, the more gas it consumes. Harsh braking makes the engine work harder, sucking up more gasoline in the process. While hard braking is required occasionally if a vehicle ahead stops abruptly, drivers that frequently demonstrate harsh braking behavior are at a greater risk of rear-end collisions.

Apart from hard braking increasing the likelihood of a traffic accident, excessive occurrences of it can cause brakes to overheat. This causes significant damage to the metal components or glazing brake pads.

Harsh braking on the highway or city roads can reduce fuel economy by 33%. GPS vehicle tracking technology gives you a comprehensive view of the driving styles of your drivers. Thus, fleet managers are in a better position to decide if their drivers need training. These systems help you monitor speed, idle times, harsh braking, fuel consumption, and more.

Increase Your Fleet Fuel Economy with Vyncs

Managing a fleet efficiently is not an easy feat. It takes a village to ensure smooth operation, curtail unnecessary fuel costs, and maintain safety across the fleet. Fortunately, GPS tracking technology provides businesses with an opportunity to increase their fleet fuel efficiency and reduce costs.

As the US gasoline price continues to remain volatile, fleet managers need to respond to such uncertainty by leveraging the power of telematics and actionable intelligence. That also means promoting fuel-efficient practices that help owners keep operational costs in control.

Ensuring better fuel economy lies at the heart of what Vyncs does for you. Contact us today, if you are interested in learning more about how Vyncs can help with reducing overall fuel expenditures by identifying the contributing factors and helping you take measures accordingly.

Approximately 1.6% of total fatalities in 2020 involve drowsy driving according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While drowsy driving is responsible for a substantial percentage of road traffic accidents in the US, it had not received as much attention as driving under the influence or drunk driving until recently. As a result, highway safety professionals are taking a comprehensive strategic approach to put an end to deaths caused due to drowsy driving.

What is Drowsy Driving?

While it may sound not-so-serious, the ramifications of this risky behavior should not be overlooked. Drowsy driving is a practice demonstrated mostly by drivers when they feel fatigued and find it difficult to stay alert at the wheel.

Fatigue is a state where mental alertness is compromised, and it arises from lack of adequate sleep. It involves cognitive impairment that indicates the time right before sleep occurs. Fatigue leads drivers to have less awareness of road hazards, slowing down the reaction times, and increasing the likelihood of a crash.

Driving while feeling sleepy, drowsy, or tired is a disturbingly common safety concern on US roadways. The phenomenon can be as deadly as Driving Under the Influence (DUI), with even milder and shorter-term sleep deprivation that can lead to driving impairment. Recent studies suggest that getting less than 5 hours of sleep causes the same level of impairment as drunk driving.

Understanding its Impact on Driving

Sleepiness (also known as drowsiness) is defined as the need to fall asleep, which is essentially the result of circadian rhythms, inherent in the human body. It consists of 24 hours biological patterns impacting a person’s fatigue level.

Research has confirmed the fact that neurobiologically based sleepiness leads to human error in various settings. Driving is no exception. When drivers are drowsy, sleepy, or fatigued, they tend to respond slower than usual and find it more difficult to concentrate on the surroundings. Fatigue is the result of prolonged wakefulness, variations in circadian rhythms, accumulated lack of sleep, sleep disorder, among others.

While sleepiness is an inevitable biological phenomenon, falling asleep at the wheel can have serious consequences. They might include but are not limited to impaired cognition & performance, fatal accidents & crashes, slower reaction times, erratic speed control, sloppy steering, and more.

An estimation of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests that around 328,000 drowsy driving crashes occur every year. Apart from causing crashes, drowsy driving can take a significant toll on the nation’s economy. According to NHTSA, drowsy driving-related crashes that result in death or injury tend to cost $109 billion annually.

Who is at Greater Risk?

Young drivers, especially males are more likely to fall asleep while driving due to their lifestyle or behavioral choices. This may include staying up late, working long hours, or consuming alcohol.

Those with untreated sleep disorders do not get enough sleep at night, which causes them to stay tired during the day.

Drivers that do not get adequate sleep at night and drive in the early morning hours are more likely to be at greater risk than drivers who slept well the night before.

Drivers working in the night or rotational shifts have a hard time sleeping.

Business travelers that cross many time zones during a flight suffer from a lack of sleep. They tend to stay less alert while driving, increasing the chance of a major crash.

Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving

A study conducted by the Gyeonggi Research Institute (GRI) found that individual conditions such as sleep time are not the sole contributors to falling asleep at the wheel. Working hours seem to have a profound impact on drowsy driving. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests being aware of the following warning signs to reduce potential risks:

• Yawning or rubbing the eyes
• Blinking frequently with heavy eyelids
• Drifting from the lane
• Feeling fatigued
• Missing exits
• Hitting a rumble strip

Generating Awareness Can Help Drive Change

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 83.6 million people get less than 7 hours of sleep every day. This leads to a shocking number of deaths (approximately 5,000) in drowsy driving-related crashes every year.

The modern values and views have caused our society to be a victim of a deadly problem: drowsy driving. Unfortunately, it is the most overlooked phenomenon, with more and more drivers driving without realizing the influence of sleep deprivation. Due to a combination of factors including but not limited to a lack of education and awareness, people are either unaware or downplay its impact on one’s ability to drive.

The most effective step in changing drowsy driving behavior is making sure drivers understand the risks, and countermeasures so they can make an informed decision about their behavior. Fatigue management programs, if implemented successfully by workplace managers can drive success in the long run.

Advancements in Automobile Technology

Today’s vehicles are designed to rely on significant computer processing capacity and digital sensors. The computer systems not only assist with the comfort and entertainment of the occupants but are also increasingly used to enable vehicles to carry out certain driving tasks without human intervention.

As technology advances with time, new vehicle functions are constantly developed by manufacturers that can collect a substantial amount of real-time data, and perform complex algorithms. An increasing number of driver-state monitoring systems are gaining momentum. These systems are successful in detecting impaired attention while driving (including drowsiness).

Fight the Good Fight: Banish Drowsy Driving with Vyncs

Reducing the odds of a crash requires a powerful combination of intelligence, automation, and connected data. That’s where Vyncs comes into the picture. After analyzing vehicle sensor data, Vyncs, a real-time GPS tracking device can provide actionable intelligence, which can further help drivers to be safer and more efficient on the roads.

For example, the Vyncs device has Agnik's proprietary AI and Machine Learning Technology, which can detect acceleration and decelerations along 3 axes. This allows one to detect unusual driving behavior. The Vyncs system also scores the drivers based on their quality of driving. That helps a parent or a fleet manager to identify emerging problems in driving behavior before those become the reason behind an accident.

By letting you monitor your drivers’ driving behavior, Vyncs empowers you to take action to prevent driving without falling asleep behind the wheel. Also, by reviewing driver safety reports generated by Vyncs, you can keep tabs on changes (if any) in their driving performance - and be proactive about it.

So, take your first step towards eliminating the risks of drowsy driving with Vyncs!

Summer is around the corner! For many Americans, it is the time for long road trips. However, with gasoline and diesel prices rising to levels not experienced in the United States before, the price of fuel has become a real financial concern for a growing number of Americans.

Whether or not fuel prices will stabilize in the near future, there has been a renewed interest among consumers in improving vehicle fuel economy. More than 172 billion gallons of fuel has been consumed by US vehicles in 2009 (Federal Highway Administration of the US Department of Transportation). Studies suggests that on-road fuel economy greatly suffers due to changes in driving style or vehicle maintenance.

Eco-Driving Effects on Fuel Consumption & Economy

While driving behavior is one of the most crucial factors influencing fuel use, its impact is often paid less attention to. Adopting ecological driving behavior can greatly reduce the amount of fuel used by vehicles. The variables used to demonstrate driving style include speed, acceleration, or deceleration, among others. The level of speed can affect fuel consumption, considering that each engine has an optimal range of speed value, at which it operates with optimal efficacy. Fuel consumption at a very low speed is higher due to increased heat loss, whereas at very high speeds; it increases further due to friction losses in the engine. On the other hand, fuel consumption is also higher when the vehicle is driven at a high speed.

Frequent deceleration may result in frequent acceleration. Thus, more fuel is used to increase kinetic energy and restore the vehicle’s speed. Moreover, during harsh acceleration, the engine operates at a higher speed, which again increases fuel consumption.

Idling is yet another contributing factor to fuel consumption. Motorists are, therefore, urged to switch off their vehicles’ engines if it is to remain stopped for more than half a minute. This is because the fuel required to start the engine is a lot less than that consumed if the engine was running.

Eco-Driving Best Practices

Revolutions Per Minute (RPM): Driving in the highest gear at the lowest RPM can make a difference. The lower the RPM, the lower the fuel consumption is due to friction.

Steady speed: Fuel consumption is higher during acceleration. Hence, it is beneficial to avoid frequent braking and accelerating and maintain a steady speed throughout.

Weight and air resistance: Both tend to increase the load on the engine, leading to higher fuel consumption. As a starter, clear up your car by removing all the stuff sitting idle in the trunk.

Idling: Modern vehicles’ engines are more efficient, and can perform well without the need for idling. Data shows that a compact sedan car with 2 litre engine size consumes 0.16 gallons per hour of fuel at idle without using accessories like air conditioners (the US Department of Energy). Therefore, it is more fuel-efficient to turn off the engine than leave it running.

Tire pressure: Low tire pressure increases the vehicle’s rolling resistance, which further translates into increased fuel consumption. So, get air and keep the tires at the recommended tire pressure.

Braking: Slowing down the vehicle with the use of an engine brake or the neutral gear instead of the actual brakes is a great practice. This is because no fuel is consumed when the engine brake is used in modern vehicles.

Speeding: Fuel consumption tends to increase at higher speeds. Therefore, drivers should always drive at or below the speed limit.

Leveraging Real-Time Vehicle Tracking Technology

Driver behavior is the most significant contributor to improving fuel economy of a vehicle. Speeding, idling, and inappropriate use of the accelerator & brake pedal - all contribute to inefficient fuel consumption. Improved fuel-efficient driving habits including not speeding, and not driving aggressively are among the most beneficial measures one can take to reduce costs.

Technologies such as a car GPS tracking device that help reduce fuel consumption and encourage responsible driving habits have massive potential. Today’s businesses and consumers increasingly rely on real-time vehicle tracking technology to keep track of the key fuel and safety performance variables. In fact, average fleet fuel economy improves up to 15% with the help of real-time vehicle tracking devices (the US Department of Energy).

Thanks to the Vyncs connected car tracking device, users can explore unique ways to improve driver performance and increase fuel economy by having access to a great variety of data. To ensure you get the most of your fuel, create an account on Vyncs today. Learn more about us here.

A fleet’s overall performance is highly dependent on vehicle efficiency. Data shows that on-road vehicles account for roughly 60% of total US oil consumption and over a quarter of the country’s Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

According to the US Department of Energy, a conventional vehicle will suffer a 10% to 20% fuel economy loss in city driving compared to highway driving. For hybrids, fuel economy may decrease by 20% to 40% in city driving. Also, the United States Environmental Protection Agency identifies that a conventional truck (made between 1980 and 2001) consumes 0.80 gallons per hour of diesel fuel and emits 140 grams/hour of NOx and 8,200 grams/hour of CO2.

For fleet owners, vehicle costs and productivity are two key concerns. Top that with more frequent stops, increased idle times and fuel use, and additional miles driven, the challenges become harder to overcome.

Considering the hazardous road conditions on snow-covered highways during winter, safety is another crucial factor. This makes vehicle maintenance crucial as fleets take a beating during extreme weather conditions. In such a scenario, a GPS tracker for vehicles can come in handy. Not only do they help fleet owners track real-time vehicle data (such as location, miles driven, and more), but informed decisions can also be made based on the data, ensuring smooth operation across fleets.

Fuel Consumption During Engine Idling

Idling for prolonged periods causes large amounts of fuel to be wasted. Researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory have noted that if every vehicle in the USA idles for about 6 minutes every day, about 3 billion gallons of fuel are wasted annually (Argonne National Library). In fact, more than 10 seconds of idling wastes more fuel than starting up the engine.

There are different factors that may affect the idling fuel consumption rate including engine temperature, idling speed, ignition timing, and combustion efficiency, among others. The age of a vehicle may also have an impact on the idling fuel consumption rate.

Emissions from prolonged idling are an issue that needs a more systematic solution. Using an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to get access to electricity while not driving is another method to expel idling in diesel engines.

Factors Affecting Fuel Economy

1. ✔ According to the US Department of Energy, hazardous driving conditions during winter can significantly reduce fuel economy for vehicles. This makes it especially harder for commercial fleets in certain regions of the States because fleets are responsible for more stops and longer idle times during the winter months.
2. ✔ Speeding, rapid acceleration, harsh braking and more can affect the gas mileage of a vehicle. Moreover, excessive idling can also cause fuel economy to be affected.
3. ✔ Carrying excessive weight also affects fuel economy.
4. ✔ Driving at a higher speed tends to increase aerodynamic drag, lowering the fuel economy of a vehicle.

Why Drivers Idle?

Idling behavior falls under two categories, including “idling for power", and “idling out of habit". Some drivers idle out of a belief that idling uses less fuel than stopping and restarting. Some believe that extra starts will wear out the battery soon. Reducing such idling can surely lead to reduced fuel consumption and emissions reductions.

Many long-haul sleeper trucks idle overnight to provide “hotel load"—heating, cooling, and electricity for drivers taking their mandated rest periods. Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory estimates that rest-period idling of long-haul sleeper trucks consumes up to 1 billion gallons of fuel annually at a cost of roughly $3 billion. The associated emissions consequences for CO2 are 10 million tons annually. Extended idling also occurs at loading docks and border crossings, where trucks must wait for prolonged periods in queues.

Introducing Real-Time GPS Tracking Technology

While drivers often leave their vehicles idling out of habit, the challenge is when fleet drivers idle because they need power while being stationary. In such scenarios, advising them against idling does not work. A real-time GPS tracking technology solution, therefore, is needed to keep track of idling patterns and come up with ways to reduce idling in a cost-effective way.

When you get a bird’s eye view of your fleet’s daily operation, you know how to reduce fuel costs (for example: by reducing excessive idling), increase productivity, and make the most of your business. So, if you are interested in increasing fleet visibility with the Vyncs connected car tracking device, get in touch with us today!

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), approximately 34.9 million people will hit the road on the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. Considering the recent surge in gas prices, as we head into the holiday weekend, vehicle owners must be wondering, "How to save money on fuel?"

There is good news for you! In fact, the rising fuel cost should not keep you from preparing for the much-needed trip you have been planning for long. With the latest connected car tracker technology, you can enjoy more saving on fuel cost than you could imagine.

We understand that there is nothing like the feeling of hitting the road with a full tank of gas, an open road, and plenty of adventures that await you out there. While you cannot do much about surging gas prices, you can still pay less at the pump, and ensure your vehicle gets the best possible fuel economy. Wondering, "How is it possible?" Well, you can do a few little things to make sure that your vehicle is in good shape for getting the optimal gas mileage. Also, a product like the Vyncs connected car tracking device can help you save a fortune on gas with its various tools to optimize fuel economy.

Vyncs comes with a tiny little 4G device that plugs into the OBD-II port of your vehicle. It transmits all sorts of vehicle performance (including fuel economy) data to your personal account over the wireless network, accessible from your Android/iOS and PC. So, if you are serious about reducing your fuel costs, Vyncs is there for you!

Why Should I Care About Fuel Economy And How?

Well, for most people this is a no-brainer. However, let us quickly review this question and get it over with. First of all, there is no denying that the recent spike in gasoline prices can take a toll on your travel budget. With gas prices likely to stay on the higher side for the near future, motorists are urged to evaluate their personal driving habits in an effort to reduce overall fuel consumption.

By taking simple steps, one can ensure better fuel economy that may include but are not limited to:

1. ✔ Consistently checking the vehicle’s tire pressure
2. ✔ Staying on top of routine maintenance
3. ✔ Avoiding hard breaking & excessive speeding
4. ✔ Reducing the amount of idling time

Improving vehicle fuel efficiency helps you save money, curb carbon emissions, and boost overall performance. So, pay attention to these things and you will save big bucks!

Tips On Saving Money On Gas With Vyncs Gps Tracker

Better Mileage At Your Fingertips: Leveraging Vyncs’s Fuel Fill-Up Feature

With gas prices reaching an all-time high, everyone seems to look for better ways to gain the upper hand. The use of real-time GPS tracking technology has become mainstream --- a unique, cost-effective way of reducing costs.

Filling up at the right time and at the right place can save you money on gas. Your vehicle is more likely to offer you the best mileage possible when you fill up the tank at the right time with the right kind of fuel. This, in turn, translates into better mileage for the long run. With Vyncs, since you can easily find out the gas tank level and the kind of gas mileage you got from the gas you purchased from a gas station, you are always in a better place when it comes to improving the overall fuel economy.

Also, the smart fuel-saving feature of Vyncs helps you keep track of the amount of fuel left in the vehicle and how you can optimize your gas mileage. Once you plug in the Vyncs device to your car’s OBD-II port, it will start sending driver performance data to your account. All the gas guzzling events such as rapid acceleration, harsh braking, and speeding are identified and presented to you so that you can cut down on fuel cost if you wanted to. If you are running a business fleet this is a life saver and of course a cost saver for the operations. With price for everything going up, isn’t it great to have something that brings the cost down? Vyncs identifies and reports the factors contributing to increased fuel consumption. That means you have a scope to take immediate actions to solve the issue right away.

Evaluate Nearby Gas Stations Through Vyncs

Saving on gas has never been easier. If you have a Vyncs device in your vehicle, you can find out nearby gas stations and compare their prices and previous performances. The device lets you keep tabs on the number of times you filled up your vehicle from different gas stations. That means you will be able to know which gas stations offer you the best deal possible.

Proactive Vehicle Maintenance Alerts

The importance of vehicle maintenance cannot be overstated. One cannot overlook this important aspect. While it might be tempting to want to avoid your valuable time at the service stations for oil-changes and tune-ups, neglected engines are more likely to make you spend more on gas. Getting ahead-of-time vehicle maintenance alerts or recall notices on your smartphone means you never miss out on getting your car maintenance done right and on time. When you have Vyncs car GPS tracker, in your car, it helps you to address and fix vehicle issues before they get bigger.

Another important thing to note is that fuel economy is not a constant. It changes over time depending upon the condition of the vehicle and how you drive it, among other things. Consider Table 1 which compares the fuel economy values computed by averaging the gas mileage values from a sample set of vehicles with the corresponding EPA fuel economy data.

Vehicle Name	Fuel Economy (MPG/ Miles Per Galon) (Vyncs Data)	Official EPA Fuel Economy (MPG)
2014 Lexus LX-570	18.29	14
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan	24.29	22
2006 Chevrolet Express 1500	18.05	14

As you can see from the table, real-world fuel economy data may vary. For example, for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, the EPA gas mileage is 22 MPG whereas the average gas mileage from the sample pool of vehicles reported here is 24.29 MPG. So, it is important to stay informed about the current gas mileage you are getting from your vehicle and that’s where Vyncs can help.

Ready to Improve Gas Mileage and Increase Saving?

Whether you are concerned with saving money on gas or reducing your carbon footprint on the planet, reducing fuel consumption by using Vyncs is a win-win all round. The device helps you to keep track of the fuel level and recommends the best way to save fuel, hence reducing your total costs on gas. With built-in gas price & fuel level reporting, fuel purchase & cost tracking mechanisms, and effective fuel-saving tips, you will have the peace of mind and not spend a fortune on gas. Vyncs syncs your car with your life and makes it better. Learn more about Vyncs. Connect with us today!

Vyncs offers state-of-the-art GPS tracking for cars and commercial fleets with the latest technology and a wide range of unique features that make it a top contender in the connected car market. Vyncs is a popular and the #1 best-selling connected car GPS tracking product in its category on many platforms such as Amazon.com with 2200+ five-star reviews. Vyncs is also supported in 200+ countries worldwide. That means it is already tested in many countries and particularly if you travel across countries on a regular basis, it will work seamlessly regardless of where you are. The Vyncs car GPS tracker product comes with a 4G LTE device (if your area does not support 4G then get the Vyncs 3G), a web account, and an app that you can download in any smart Android/iOS device.

With the Vyncs app, you can have peace of mind about your vehicle, even when you are not in the car next to your loved one. Vyncs offers a powerful GPS tracking and connected car solutions that go way beyond just location tracking. From driving to parking, driver safety to car maintenance, many of the Vyncs product features come handy in real-life situations more than one can probably imagine. While you are driving, Vyncs 4G+ collects data every second, analyzes it, and transfers that data to your account in the cloud over 4G wireless network. GPS sampling and update rates depend on the type of Vyncs you have. Another useful feature of Vyncs is unlimited trip history. In other words, as long as you have a valid Vyncs account, you have access to all the historical trips the vehicle took. So, if you are interested in getting mileage tax benefits for work, you would love this feature. Vyncs Fleet also allows downloading the trip data in Excel-friendly format. The Vyncs Link device analyzes car data on speed, rapid acceleration, harsh braking, idling time, etc. and assigns a driver score that represents how safely one is driving. For instance, you can view where the driver’s speeding events occurred on the map. You can see how often your driver speeds with the Vyncs speeding histogram, which shows the amount of time the driver spends in certain speed ranges. If you are a business owner and care about fuel cost, then you probably want to know how much your drivers are idling. Get unsafe driving alerts and review the driver report; Moreover, if you already do not have a roadside assistance program from one of the motor clubs or other entities, then get Vyncs Premium for 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance in USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico at just $10 extra per year which is a great deal. Whether you are a parent of a teen driver or have a business fleet, you would find the Vyncs GPS tracking and driver safety features very handy.

The anti-car theft feature is another useful thing about Vyncs. If your vehicle is parked somewhere, Vyncs device wakes up once in every hour and updates the location in your account. So, if you don’t get the hourly location update or you notice that the location has changed, then you may want to check out what is going on. If the device is unplugged and plugged back in, then Vyncs sends you a tamper notification. This comes handy when some teen drivers try to cheat by removing the device when they are left home and plugging it back in when are back home. The ‘ignition on’ reporting feature informs you every time your car is turned on. If you want to know every time the car ignition is turned on during certain “curfew" hours (timings can be personalized using your Vyncs app or web account) then this comes handy. Vyncs car tracker also tracks where, when and for how long your car stopped somewhere. You can also set up geofences of arbitrary shape (not just a circular) from your account to check when your car enters and/or exits certain areas. In fact, car monitoring features can relieve parents of a great deal of stress.

The OBD-II port of a vehicle provides access to many useful vehicle data. In fact, this is the port that your car mechanic uses for diagnosing your vehicle when there are some issues. So, if you are going to get an OBD GPS tracker then why not get something like veins that gives you access to vehicle health and maintenance information in addition to GPS tracking. The Vyncs device is equipped with the technology that lets you enjoy driving your car without constantly worrying about the health status and maintenance issues about the vehicle systems that are reported through the vehicle’s OBD2 port. Apart from car GPS tracking, Vyncs also has many car-health tracking features that include reminders and notifications for battery health condition, vehicle sub-system fault codes, car maintenance reminders, the status of the fuel tank (if available). Vyncs allows you to keep track of your car maintenance! Vyncs collects the vehicle trouble code data that’s only accessible through the OBD-II port, i.e. be the first to know exactly what’s happening with your car before it becomes a big issue. You can see all of the details in your account.

When the Vyncs Link car tracker device is connected to your car, you receive push notifications that alert you of a low or empty fuel tank. Besides reminding you to refuel, the device also locates and shows the nearby gas stations on the map in your app.

Overall, Vyncs is a good product with a wide range of features. Its #1 Best Selling rank in platforms like Amazon has good reasons. Apart from guaranteed satisfaction, 2200+ third-party reviews, ratings at VerifiedReview360 speak volumes about the quality of the Vyncs car GPS tracker device and app, and the peace of mind they have brought to the customers.