PHH Blog

Top 12 Safety Issues for 2012

January 10, 2012

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By Jay Shelly, Vice President at Center for transportation Safety

Below are 12 safety issues that the Center for Transportation Safety, a PHH Arval company, believes will be top of mind in 2012. It was recently featured in Fleet Management Weekly.

1. Cell Phone Use: This year, it is expected that cell phone use will surpass drinking and driving as the leading cause of road crashes and fatalities. 
2. Distractions: As much as we believe we are always in control, research shows that multi-tasking while driving a vehicle is dangerous – for anyone. 
3. Drinking and Driving: Never drink and drive, regardless of how skilled you think you are. You cannot operate a vehicle while impaired. Additionally, you could find yourself facing a felony charge and possible jail sentence if convicted of drinking and driving. 
4. Fatigue: As society continues to do more in less time, fatigued driving is a growing issue. Fatigue and impairment are very similar in their effects on a person – for example, 24 hours without sleep is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .08, which in all states makes it illegal to drive. 
5. 360 Degree Awareness: The space we share with others on the road is the safety zone in which we travel. Being aware and properly adjusting your mirrors allows you to see even small spots that are critical to determine the distance to others. 
6. Speeding: The leading cause of fatal crashes is excessive speed for various road conditions – such as inclement weather or construction. 
7. Seatbelts: "Buckle up" may be the law, but current statistics show that 51 percent of all fatal victims from vehicle crashes were unrestrained.
8. Intersections: Care must be taken at intersections, where 60 percent of all crashes occur. 
9. Space Management: Understanding the amount of distance your vehicle needs to stop is critical at all times. 
10. Load Securement: Regardless of whether you are operating your private vehicle or a commercial vehicle, it is very important to keep cargo, luggage, bikes, racks and other items properly secured. A loose item creates dangers for you and others on the road. 
11. Internal Cargo: The third highest cause of vehicle incidents is the driver reaching for something or someone that may have moved. For example, a misplaced cup or CD, or reaching for a child can result in harm to you and others. 
12. Seasonal Driving Awareness: Inclement weather affects all areas of the country. Wind, rain, ice and snow impact your reaction time and the vehicle’s ability to respond. Understanding how to navigate these variances can keep you safe.

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PHH Blog

Distracted and Dangerous: Enhancing Fleet Driver Safety

December 15, 2011

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Distracted and Dangerous: Enhancing Fleet Driver Safety
By Chuck Trunk, PHH Arval Product Manager

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said that despite a rush by states to ban the use of cell phones while driving, there is a growing concern regarding the number of crashes. In fact, statistics have shown that of the approximately 35,000 roadway fatalities annually, at least 10 percent – possibly as much as 28 percent – of those are caused specifically by cell phone distraction.

However, by reducing driver distractions (such as cell phone use while driving), we could eliminate – or at least reduce – these types of accidents.

While there are currently no national bans for all drivers, beginning Jan. 1, 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will prohibit commercial drivers from using a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial truck or bus. The ruling will not impact hands-free devices. (See final rule for more information.)

Moving forward, however, all drivers may face a similar ban. The NTSB recently called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving. (See recent article for additional information.)

This concern over distracted driving is why, during a recent webinar, we wanted to take the opportunity to help you address driver safety. I moderated the event while guest presenters Bruce Davisson from the Center for Transportation Safety (CTS), and Matt Howard from software provider ZoomSafer highlighted that the use of cell phones and mobile devices has quickly become a major safety issue – one that has lead to the ban of hand-held cell phones for fleet operators.

To offer a solution for fleets, we partnered with the tech experts at ZoomSafer to address distracting driving and reduce liability exposure. We created PHH iNmotion, which utilizes active controls to enforce safe and legal cell phone use while driving.

iNmotion, once installed on a driver’s Blackberry or Android smartphone, will detect when an employee is driving and automatically restrict the use of a cell phone and send automated responses via text message or email.

Leveraging technology, however, is just one side of the coin. Training is the other, CTS can help you maximize compliance with company policies and reduce potential liabilities. But it’s not just training behind the wheel. Today’s training courses are in classrooms, online or in simulators. By training your drivers using multiple methods, you will see improved safety results.

Finally, if you haven’t implemented a cell phone policy, you need to consider one. To do that:

• Know your risk. Understand how many crashes the company has had in the past, the number of insurance claims and your premium history.
• Find your organizational balance of revenue and risk management.
• Review relevant regulations – such as those from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, FMCSA and your state and local regulations.
• Don’t make a policy in a vacuum. You need to talk to the people who will be using/following the policy.
• Communicate from top down. Executive sponsorship is required for a cell phone policy to be successful.
• Reward and recognize. Once a policy is in place, ensure that safe drivers are rewarded for their behavior.
• Enforce it. If you don’t plan on enforcing it, then don’t do create a policy at all.

For more information on distracted driving, see ZoomSafer’s blog, the U.S. Department of Transportation's website, or the CTS website.

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PHH Blog

Test driving the Plug-in Prius and eyeing the future of alternative-fuel vehicles

April 05, 2011

Recommended by 1 Person

With gas prices rising and ever-changing political landscapes in many oil-exporting countries, alternative fuel vehicles are of interest to everyone in the fleet business. PHH is no exception. We know the best way to understand the alternative fuel vehicle options available is to drive and experience these machines for ourselves. Recently, we were able to do just that thanks to a demo plug-in hybrid from Toyota.

For about six weeks starting in February, we had a 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) at PHH’s Sparks, MD campus. Our Strategic Alliances team was able to test drive and learn about this remarkable new concept vehicle, of which only 200 currently exist in the U.S. We learned the PHV can travel up to 15 miles on purely electric power before its gas motor kicks in, and it features a compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery that’s vastly improved from the batteries of the first hybrid cars to hit the market. We plugged the Prius in at our on-site charging station in Sparks, but it can be fully recharged from a standard 110V household outlet in just a couple of hours.

Continuing in our alternative fuel pursuits, we’ve purchased a Chevrolet Volt to add to our inventory (more on that next month!) and are expecting a hybrid demo from BMW and an all-electric Nissan Leaf demo in the future. These vehicles will be used at client regional events whenever possible. In the meantime, we can assist our clients in acquiring any type of alternative-fuel vehicle – be it electric, CNG, propane, or something else. PHH knows that alternative fuel vehicles are a crucial part of the industry’s future, and we want to help our clients choose the best vehicles for their fleet needs and for the planet.

This is an exciting time for environmentalists and auto enthusiasts alike! Come see us at NAFA Booth #1115 in the NAFA Green Zone to get more information about our green initiatives and meet our industry partners.

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PHH Blog

Managing the bid process

January 07, 2011

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Check it out! Tom Keilty, PHH COO and SVP of Customer & Vehicle Services, is featured in a video on automotivedigest.com. He talks about managing the bid process and importance of doing your homework upfront and making sure you thoroughly understand the key cost drivers when evaluating competitive bids.

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PHH Blog

Committment to Quality

November 30, 2010

Recommended by 5 People

Lauren Fagan, PHH Operational Excellence Manager and Master Black Belt, was recently interviewed in American Society for Quality's Sigma Forum Magazine.  The article focuses on PHH's Six Sigma-based process improvement program, Rally to Results.

The American Society for Quality has a strong reputation for being the premier service quality organization, and as such, PHH requires that all our Six Sigma Black Belts successfully pass ASQ’s black belt certification exam. This third party certification provides an additional level of credibility to PHH’s Six Sigma program, Rally to Results. PHH’s black belts are actively involved with ASQ and look to that organization for continued skill development and networking opportunities. I have the pleasure of serving on the board of the Baltimore section of ASQ, and several PHH team members manage an affiliated Lean Six Sigma Special Interest Group. 

Through the leadership of our ASQ-certified black belts, PHH had implemented some significant improvements in the way we deliver customer service. In fact, we’ve implemented 148 certified improvements since the Rally to Results program began in 2003. Recently, we’ve used our methodology in the construction of our Dashboards – designed to give a real-time overview of our work transactions in progress. Using this tool, we optimally manage how that work gets done, in the way our clients require it and in a timely manner.

Our continued association with ASQ allows us to stay on the forefront quality acumen, keeping our black belts sharp and PHH focused on improvements that are meaningful to our clients.

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PHH Blog

PHH Arval features fleet Risk and Safety solutions at symposium in Calgary, Alberta

November 02, 2010

Recommended by 2 People

By Leanne Anderson
Manager, Product Development & Marketing, PHH Arval Canada

On Wednesday, October 27, clients, prospects, supplier partners, manufacturers, and PHH employees weathered a little frost and light snow to attend a risk and safety symposium at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.

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Tags:  PHH Onboard , Risk & Safety , Technology Innovation , North American platform

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PHH Blog

Bobit Green Fleet Conference Wrap-up

October 28, 2010

Recommended by 2 People

Sarah Mallonga, from PHH’s Strategic Consulting team, shares her insights from the Green Fleet Conference, sponsored by Bobit Media, held in San Diego, October 18^th and 19^th .

Selecting the alternate fuel that is best for your fleet can be an overwhelming undertaking.  At last week's Green Fleet Conference in San Diego, I moderated a panel discussion to address the most common questions and uncover potential pitfalls. Five panelists representing a variety of fleet applications described how their fleets have incorporated different alt-fuels, including compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid technologies, electric vehicles, biodiesel and E85 flex-fuel vehicles. Some key takeaways were:

Consider your fleet application to determine the right solution for the right vehicle. A lot will depend on the vehicle/engine offerings and fueling infrastructure available to meet fleet requirements. 

Some key factors to consider are:

• Vehicle interior packages
• Safety
• Payload
• Ergonomics
• Fuel capacity and range
• Vehicle hours of operation

Do not underestimate "operator acceptance." Be clear on why you are pursuing alt-fuels and get your drivers onboard.  At the end of the day, your drivers must be comfortable with the alt-fuel vehicles they are operating.  Get your drivers acclimated as early as possible, and make sure they receive the appropriate technical training.

Understand the possible tax credits, tax incentives, and grant funding available for different alt-fuel vehicles.  In some cases, large portions of your incremental costs are recoverable.

Start with a pilot program.  After doing your research, test an alt-fuel for a small portion of your fleet and monitor its success.

Share your experiences with alternate fuel vehicles in the comments section below.

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PHH Blog

Is cell phone legislation effective?

October 22, 2010

Recommended by 2 People

Jay Shelly, Director, Center for Transportation Safety (a division of PHH Arval) writes about the latest studies concerning cell phone usage and texting while driving. While the data seems counter-intuitive, Mr. Shelly highlights some points that might help to make sense of it all.

A recently published study conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute concludes that the government’s push toward legislating against cell phone use and text messaging while driving is not having an impact on the number of crash incidents recorded. 

Interestingly, this is where a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) funded study offers some insight.

The study collected data from over 13,000 trucks and buses and included a total of 1,085 crashes, 8,375 near crashes, 30,661 crash-relevant conflicts and 211,711 baselines (which is determined as “normative” driving used in comparison with the safety events). The major findings were:

•     Any cell phone activity that involves using one’s hands while driving (including texting, emailing, dialing or accessing the internet) significantly increased the odds of involvement in a crash/near crash.

•     Talking/listening on a hands-free or hand-held cell phone while driving did not significantly affect the odds of involvement in a crash or near crash.

•     The existence of a state cell phone law did not significantly impact drivers’ likelihood of using their cell phones while driving, compared to usage in a state that did not have a law prohibiting cell phone use. Consistent law enforcement is an important element in ensuring the laws are obeyed.

•     A driver’s odds of using a cell phone while driving were 17% less likely under a fleet cell phone policy compared to a fleet that doesn’t have a stance on cell phone use while driving.

The decline in texting/cell phone use due to company policy as opposed to state law is the important piece here, because “non-compliance” proved to be the likeliest reason why texting bans aren’t reducing crashes. For some reason, more people seem to adhere to formal company policies (albeit at a low rate) than follow actual laws in the case of texting while driving.

But what could explain the increase in crashes after legislation is enacted?

One theory comes from Adrian Lund, president of both HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "If drivers were disregarding the bans, then the crash patterns should have remained steady. So clearly drivers did respond to the bans somehow, and what they might have been doing was moving their phones down and out of sight when they texted, in recognition that what they were doing was illegal. This could exacerbate the risk of texting by taking drivers' eyes further from the road and for a longer time."

This stuff is important, especially in terms of highway safety, for texting in general is on the increase. Wireless phone subscriptions numbered 286 million as of December 2009, up 47% from 194 million in June 2005. Text messaging is increasing, too – rising about 60% in one year alone, from 1 trillion messages in 2008 to 1.6 trillion in 2009.

This is a concern because distracted driving causes crashes – a lot of them. In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with distraction-related fatalities representing 16% of overall traffic fatalities in 2009.

The question is this: If state laws can’t change driver behavior when it comes to texting/call phone use while operating a motor vehicle, what will?

Chime in! Let us know how you’re combating distracted driving in your fleet, by leaving a comment in the space below.

Tags:  Risk & Safety , Accident management

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