A new report has outlined the essential vehicle checking and maintenance procedures required for avoiding costly insurance claims and ‘tragic consequences’.
Vehicle maintenance and mechanics, published by Global Fleet Champions, features advice from key industry players, such as Autoglass, who advise fleet managers on how to effectively maintain advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to ensure the technology works effectively.
Good maintenance of ADAS is essential, the report says, to ensure they function optimally to prevent crashes or reduce the risk of death or serious injury if a crash does occur.
Jeremy Rochfort, national sales manager for Autoglass, commented: ‘The adoption rate of ADAS in fleet vehicles is much higher as fleet cars tend to be newer and come with up-to-date safety features.
‘However, our research shows that keeping up to date with technology ranks low down on fleet decision-maker's priorities.?That’s why we’re committed to educating the fleet industry on the importance of ADAS calibration and investing in our technical expertise and capabilities to ensure we can match the rising demand for these services.’
John Eastman from the Institute of Road Transport Engineers explains why fleet managers should take a systematic approach towards the maintenance of vehicles.
He argues that preventative maintenance has a number of benefits, not least the improved safety, reliability and wellbeing of people who drive for work and other road users.
Sarah Plumb, senior fleet officer at Brake, the road safety charity, said: ‘It is vital that fleet managers prioritise good vehicle maintenance, scheduling regular checks and services of their vehicles, particularly of safety-critical components such as brakes and tyres. Failure to comply with basic vehicle standards can result in tragic consequences.
‘This guidance will outline the consequences of not complying with vehicle standards, and explain how to improve maintenance and checking procedures to ensure vehicles remain a valuable resource.’
