MANAGING PUBLIC SECTOR VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
Geotab will begin allowing fleet drivers to use a Privacy Mode feature with their telematics system to temporarily disable vehicle tracking when using vehicles on personal time, the Toronto-based telematics provider has announced.
The number of fleets restricting personal use of company-provided vehicles decreased from 2008 to 2009.
When the price of fuel is low and budgets are flush, the issue of take-home vehicles slips under the public radar. However, today’s elevated fuel prices and stretched budgets are prompting the local media and elected officials to question unnecessary use of government vehicles. As a result, there have been a number of backlashes against take-home vehicles around the country.
Implementing a fleet policy can be a challenge for any fleet management operation. It requires a culture change, which may be difficult because people resist change. To avoid this pitfall, fleet policy should be written with safety as the premise.