25 Jul The Benefits of Real-Time MVR Monitoring for Your Business

Most fleets have had some form of motor vehicle record (MVR) monitoring for years. Companies periodically check each employee’s MVR to review the current license status and note any new traffic violations or accidents. In the past, these checks required a lot of manual effort, so they may only have happened once or twice a year. 

Similarly, remediation efforts to help improve driver behaviors would only occur periodically, typically involve expensive processes, and might only be applied to the worst offenders. Thus, the primary benefits of MVR monitoring include more efficient, encompassing, effective, and timely processes. 

Overview of MVR Monitoring

Each state keeps a motor vehicle record for all of its drivers. Often referred to as a driving record, this document includes the following: 

• Primary data, like name, license number, and address 
• Current license status 
• Information about moving violations, accidents, and DUIs 

What is MVR monitoring? The company pulls the driving record to check for new updates, like traffic tickets, license suspensions, or accidents. Information about past incidents can help businesses predict future performance. For example, a company may feel reluctant to hire a driver with many violations or accidents on their driving record. This data can also fuel data-driven driver safety courses for current or new drivers. 

What Are the Benefits of MVR Monitoring?

When fleets monitor drivers with periodic, manual processes, gathering data and taking action on that information takes time. In contrast, a real-time MVR monitoring program offers immediate visibility of driving violations or incidents. 

This real-time MVR access can offer several critical benefits: 

• Rapid risk discovery and mitigation: Immediate discovery of mishaps and tickets gives management a quick opportunity to offer counseling, training, or in some cases, disciplinary actions or termination. 
• Regulatory and standards compliance: Enjoy the ability to pull drivers off their routes immediately if they no longer meet regulatory requirements, industry standards, or business policies. 
• Enhanced risk management: Better and faster risk management responses improve safety. In turn, these steps will lower incident costs and insurance premiums. 
• Better employee support: Employees immediately receive notification of issues and can take quick action to retain their positions and avoid future problems. 
• Improved brand image: Fleets can exert more control over driver behavior, reducing the risk of expensive and embarrassing future incidents. 

Real-World Examples of Real-Time MVR Benefits 

Even a first glance uncovers the advantages of a real-time MVR monitoring system. Still, it helps to browse a real-world case study for one of Fleet Response’s first customers for an MVR monitoring system to understand the benefits. 

Before working with Fleet Response, STERIS, a healthcare solutions provider, monitored over 500 drivers with semi-annual record sweeps and a time-consuming manual process for rating them. The company would fly high-risk drivers each year for a day-long safety class. The class might have occurred months after precipitating incidents and only addressed the highest-risk drivers. Plus, travel and lost-productivity expenses added up. 

Today, STERIS gets automatic notifications of any changes. This notification triggers automatic responses, like communicating with the driver, HR, and supervisors. Drivers who move from low- to medium-risk receive an automated prompt for online classes. High-risk drivers receive a four-hour, in-vehicle driving class.

As documented in the Fleet Response Real-Time MVR Case Study, the business enjoyed multiple benefits from this technology:

• Reduced workload: Eliminating bi-annual sweeps and manual processing eliminated much work. Reducing the number of incidents and accidents also relieved work associated with claims and repairs. 
• Safer driving: Drivers have improved their driving behavior because they understand they’re constantly monitored and will need to address issues immediately. Typical fleets experience about 20% fewer moving violations after transitioning to automatic monitoring. Faster notifications also help identify repeat offenders and rapidly spot people who need support or should not drive for the company. 
• Better training: Since training occurs soon after an incident, it’s more meaningful and tailored to the circumstances. Drivers have more motivation to avoid repeating the mistake. 

Most of all, STERIS could justify the automated system and improved training because it saved them money. A company spokesperson said that addressing high-risk drivers alone justified the cost of the MVR monitoring program, not even counting addressing medium-risk drivers and the reduction of manual work and the number of accidents. 

Best Practices for Implementing an MVR Monitoring Program

Modern businesses must invest in technology to remain competitive. However, some companies struggle to innovate because they fail to seek the best solutions for their unique areas of operation. Choosing a reliable technology partner can help businesses avoid common pitfalls and reap more rapid rewards. 

Thus, the most important first steps include choosing a reliable, experienced MVR partner. The provider can help the company set goals, define requirements, and design an effective MVR plan. The plan must include steps to incorporate the new technology into more efficient business policies and procedures. 

Some employees may feel threatened by the new program. Thus, fleet managers must educate drivers and other stakeholders on how it will benefit them and the entire business. For instance, faster remediation of driving issues through tailored training will improve safety, reduce business costs, and help drivers keep their jobs. Some fleets reward drivers who maintain their low-risk driving profile to encourage participation. 

Choose the Right MVR Monitoring Partner 

According to a U.S. General Services Administration study, over 90% of vehicle accidents occur because of driver errors. Fleets often lose money, waste time, and risk safety over preventable accidents. The benefits of an MVR program include quick and effective diagnosis and remediation of driver issues. Besides saving time and money, these programs help protect businesses and their valuable drivers. 

Fleet Response’s MVR monitoring system includes 24/7 real-time access to advanced technology and a dedicated support team. Contact us today to ensure your business and employees maximize the benefits of technological innovation.