Eco-Driver Program vs Eco-Driver Program w/DTD
In the current political climate, Eco Conservation, Green Driving or Eco Driving are not only altruistic goals to be strived for, they are proven ways for business to reduce their operating costs, reduce their fleet vehicle related pollution and increase their profit margins.
Some of the best minds and biggest hearts in the scientific and environmental movement have contributed to create “Eco-driver” programs that in most instances offer some or most of the following recommendations to promote environmental responsible driving:
1- Maintain proper tire air pressure
2- Purchase low rolling resistance tires
3- Keep your engine tuned up for peak efficiency
4- Train drivers that rapid acceleration can waste fuel
5- Train drivers that hard braking waste fuel
6- Train drivers to drive slower as high speeds waste fuel
7- Install a M.P.G. display on the dash so the driver can look at the display and see when they consume more fuel during different driving behaviors
I applauded their valued efforts, the ‘Eco-Driver” programs popping up throughout the private and public sector fleet markets, the way so many have signaled publicly the commitment to lead the way for recognition of the importance in conservation of precious natural resources, reduction of excessive greenhouse gas and reduction of waste associated with irresponsible or simply ignorant drivers of motor vehicles.
While conservation is not my area of expertise, on occasion I experience a brief firing of functional neurons, so I submit for your consideration, that the “Eco-Driver” programs are overlooking much of the potential environmental benefits and reduction in fuel waste/pollution, that would be derived through the incorporation of a active Driver Training Device (DTD).
This Driver Training Device (DTD) would not only provide immediate awareness to the drivers when they drive in a wasteful and eco-damaging manor, it also provides a mechanism that will enable management to verify they are following the spirit of the program and the guidelines the environmentally conscious company is setting forth to insure that their bold new “Eco-Friendly” initiative is a stunning success.
It is essential that business fleets adopting Eco-Driver programs are successful in achieving measurable fuel savings to insure other business pay attention to their financial good choices and want to follow suite, because saving lots of money is good for business. Whether for green leaning interests or the desire to save fuel and thus save money the benefits to the environment are the same. The more money a company with a fleet of vehicles can save the greater their pursuit to reduce fuel waste, as it is in their best interests and conversely the smaller their carbon footprint on the environment.
Other added benefits of a successful Eco-Drive program, incorporating this Driver Training Device (DTD) would be the reduction of accidents, reduction of vehicle related injuries and deaths, not only reducing the considerable business/state expenses associated with emergency medical response, fire and police services as well as uninsured motorists, hospital emergency rooms and all other associated expenses that the state often incurs with these tragedies.
Should you be wondering how this device to save fuel, can also enhance driver safety which might also reduce accidents, permit me to dilate on some of the features of this remarkably well thought out device:
To reduce wasted fuel the Driver Training Device can:
- Alert driver of fuel waste in rapid acceleration
- Alert driver of hi-speed braking, that also wastes fuel
- Alert driver they are exceeding preset maximum speed limit, wasting fuel
To enhance driver safety the Driver Training Device can:
- Alerts driver they are taking turns faster than preset limits
(Possible spinout of vehicle, potential contribution to accidents)
- Alerts driver they are exceeding the preset maximum speed
(Response time drops as speed increases, potential contribution to accidents)
- Alerts driver during hard braking (often an indication of following too closely)
- Alerts driver after rolling vehicle over (Known as Life Beeps one model only, to wake them up and get them out)
- Alerts driver they have had an impact in case they did not notice
(On many occasions drivers may be unaware they had an accident)
Also the 2 digital cameras can document:
- Does the driver text on a phone while driving?
- Does the driver surf the net on a laptop PC while driving?
- Does the drive watch video movies or TV while Driving?
- Did the driver stop at the 4 way stop signs?
- Does the driver exhibit road rage warning signs
- Does the driver stop at a railroad crossing or just slow down?
I have touched upon a few areas, listed below, where I believe the Eco-Driver system we call a Driver Training Device DTD, will greatly improve measurable results in wasted fuel over a written manual, personal training course or MPG Display, thus, will insure the effectiveness of the Eco-Driver Program, through active reinforcement to the driver, and a mechanism to verify that the program is enthusiastically embraced by the drivers in your state.
Active Eco-Driver Reinforcement
- Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems can show a driver how much fuel they may be wasting
- Active Driver Training Device systems employ active driver audible reinforcement that:
Warns them to slow down when they are speeding
Warns them when they do not accelerate efficiently
Warns them when they follow so closely and rely on hard braking
Active Eco-Driver Documentation & Verification
- Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems are “passive” so apathetic drivers can ignore their vehicles fuel waste if they choose to and there is no active interaction from the system to make them want to follow the program.
- Active Driver Training Device systems are “Active” so apathetic drivers cannot ignore their vehicles fuel waste, as they are constantly reminded of it by audible warnings, as there is “Active” indication from the system to encourage them to follow the program.
Management Tool & Smart Technology
- MPG Display systems incorporate “dumb technology” meaning they do not take into consideration Human nature. MPG Display system does not tell management or the drivers supervisor they ignored all attempts to get them to drive Eco-Driver friendly and in some cases they actually tried hard to waste the companies fuel.
- Active Driver Training Device systems incorporate “smart technology” meaning they can overcome Human nature when it is destructive to the goals of safe and eco-friendly driving.
Active Driver Training Device systems document driver performance and can alert management or the drivers supervisor to the fact that they ignored all attempts to get them to drive Eco-Driver friendly and in some cases they actually seem to have tried hard to waste the companies fuel through what might have been dangerous driving behavior. Active Driver Training Device Systems are part of a driver safety training system that actively promotes driver safety, combined with true eco-friendly solutions.
Active Eco-Drive Proof of Compliance
- Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems are “passive” so management cannot know or prove if their employees are following Eco-Drive Guidelines
- Active Driver Training Device systems are “Active” so management can document, verify and prove our system drivers are doing the right thing when asked to prove it.
Unsafe Driving Can Be Corrected
- Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems do not deter or document unsafe driving hard turns, speeding hard braking or impromptu lane changes, and in some cases may cause them from drivers looking at their displays.
- Active Driver Training Device systems can deter & document unsafe driving hard turns, speeding hard braking or impromptu lane changes. Active Driver Training Device Systems actively promotes driver safety, combined with true eco-friendly solutions.
Accidents & Liability Lawsuits Can Be Prevented
- Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems do not intrinsically reduce accidents, reduce insurance claims or protect the driver or company against potential liability lawsuits
- Active Driver Training Device systems are proven technologies to reduce accidents reduce insurance claims or protect the driver or company against potential liability lawsuits.
Toxic Soil & Water Pollution From Vehicle Accidents IS Preventable
- Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems do not reduce the intrinsic toxic hazards and environmental damages to soil and ground water associated with vehicular collisions, spillage of oils, fuels, sulfuric acid spillage from batteries or the lead and other toxic heavy metals associated with destruction of vehicle at highway speeds that are very frequently not cleaned up, often swept off the road surface and end up poisoning our environment.
- Active Driver Training Device systems can reduce the intrinsic toxic hazards and environmental damages to soil and ground water associated with vehicular collisions, spillage of oils, fuels, sulfuric acid spillage from batteries or the lead and other toxic heavy metals associated with destruction of vehicle at highway speeds that are very frequently not cleaned up and end up poisoning our environment. Active Driver Training Device systems are true Eco-Driver systems as they help create professional drivers who can learn to drive safely while driving green, because it does not matter how “green” you feel when your watching your MPG display if you end up causing an accident and contaminating the soil and water with the eco-toxic fluids like gas, oil, brake fluid, steering fluid, transmission fluid, battery acid.
Toxic Air Pollution From Accidents IS Preventable
- Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems do not reduce the intrinsic toxic hazards involved with smoke and fires caused by vehicular collisions. The toxic heavy metals released into the air when vehicles burn causing considerable and toxic air pollution that could be far in excess of thousands of miles driven and hundreds of gallons of fuel consumed by an engine in an efficient manor.
- Active Driver Training Device Systems can reduce the intrinsic toxic hazards involved with smoke and fires caused by vehicular collisions, by providing the mechanism and mean to prevent them. The toxic heavy metals released into the air when vehicles burn causing considerable and toxic air pollution that could be far in excess of thousands of miles driven and hundreds of gallons of fuel consumed by an engine in an efficient manor.
Ancillary Fuel Waste From Accidents IS Preventable
- Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems do not reduce the fuel wasted, or pollution caused by a small caravan of emergency response vehicles, that may all sit on an accident site for 1-4 hours with their vehicles running while they perform their rescue, fire and emergency services.
- Active Driver Training Device Systems can help avoid the wasted fuel and pollution caused by so many emergency response vehicles by helping to create safer drivers who are alerted when they engage in dangerous driving behaviors, so they are less likely to become involved in a dangerous driving related accidents in the first place.
There are systemic problems associated with any type of driver behavioral modification program such as the Eco-Driver programs that are not addressed by a Passive Eco-Driver & MPG display systems, such as:
- Driver Eco Awareness (No reminders intrinsic in the system)
- Driver Motivation (Why would they even want to help save their companies fuel)
- Driver Compliance (Proof that your drivers are making progress)
- Program Oversight (Management tool required for assured performance)
- Loss Prevention (Reduction in dangerous driving behavior that causes accidents)
- Liability Reduction (Reduction in potential lawsuits)
Active Driver Training Devices can help address all of the above listed concerns and is part of a well thought out and internationally recognized driver safety training aide that actively promotes driver safety, combined with true eco-friendly solutions.
There are also elements of human nature to contend with encompassing a wide range of detrimental driver behavior characteristics such as: stubbornness, independence, insolence and rebellion. Compound the above with frequent adversarial emotions within the dynamics of the employee versus employer relationship and it is clear that lacking a highly developed integration of vehicle data collection hardware and driver management software that any Eco-Driver program could be a miserable disappointment and fail to achieve any recognizable level of success and the worst legacy of a failure in Eco-Drive programs may be the loss of interest in similar programs from future eco-minded enthusiasts.
It is paramount that success be assured in any Eco Driver program by investing in the internationally recognized system that has the innovation, commitment with the vision to choose the Active Driver Training Devices to assure a successful Eco-Driver program.
It is my belief that every city, state and local government non-emergency vehicle should immediately be equipped with the Active Driver Training Device, so through leadership and by example, the US Government can lead America to verifiable “Eco-Driver” program reduction in wasted fuel and reduction in pollution in the above-illustrated instances.
Most Americans voted for “Change” in the last election, this is “Change We Need”.
NJC - Driver Risk Management Solutions, June, 2009