Vehicle tracking systems have become indispensable for UK businesses that run or manage fleets or small vehicle teams. If you’re looking to optimise your fleet operations, enhance your teams security, and ensure compliance with current laws, this is a great place to start. However, without proper implementation and management, these systems can fall short of their potential, so let’s go over our top five common mistakes businesses make with vehicle tracking and provide actionable solutions to avoid them.
1. Neglecting Proper System Setup
One of the most prevalent errors is failing to configure the tracking system correctly from the outset and we think that this oversight can lead to inaccurate data, missed alerts, and underutilised features.
What’s the solution?
- Ensure that all of your vehicles are equipped with the appropriate tracking devices.
- Regularly calibrate and test your systems to confirm accurate data collection.
- Provide comprehensive training for staff to utilise the system effectively.
2. Overlooking Data Analysis
Collecting data without analysing it renders the tracking system ineffective, and it’s easy to accumulate vast amounts of information but fail to extract actionable insights.
What’s the solution?
- Schedule regular reviews of tracking data to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
- Utilise analytics tools provided by your tracking system to monitor key performance indicators.
- Implement changes based on data insights to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
3. Ignoring Driver Behaviour
Failing to monitor and address driver behaviour can lead to increased fuel consumption, vehicle wear and tear, and safety risks.
What’s the solution?
- Use the tracking system to monitor driving habits such as speeding, harsh braking, and idling.
- Provide feedback and training to drivers to promote safer and more efficient driving practices.
- Incentivise good driving behaviour through recognition and rewards.
4. Not Setting Geofences
Without geofencing, we think you could be missing out on the opportunity to monitor vehicle movements in specific areas, which can then lead to potential security and compliance issues.
What’s the solution?
- Define virtual boundaries (geofences) for areas such as job sites, depots, and restricted zones.
- Configure alerts for when vehicles enter or exit these zones to monitor compliance and prevent unauthorised use.
5. Choosing the Wrong Provider
Selecting a tracking provider that doesn’t align with your business needs can result in inadequate support, limited features, and higher costs.
What’s the solution?
- Research and compare providers based on features, pricing, scalability, and customer support.
- Seek recommendations and read reviews from other UK businesses in your industry.
- Consider providers that offer customisable solutions tailored to your specific requirements.
Comparison of UK Vehicle Tracking Providers
| Provider | Key Features | Starting Price (Per Vehicle) | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time tracking, driver behaviour analysis | £462 | Large fleets requiring comprehensive data |
| GPS tracking, mobile app integration | £130 | SMEs seeking cost-effective solutions |
| Magnetic trackers, no subscription required | £150 | Businesses needing flexible tracking |
| Motion sensing alerts, UK-manufactured devices | £199 | Companies prioritising security features |
| IoT integration, AI-powered analytics | Bespoke pricing | Enterprises seeking advanced technology |
Conclusion
we think that avoiding these common vehicle tracking mistakes can help give you peace of mind when running your fleet and business operations. In doing so, you can also significantly enhance your fleet’s performance, safety, and cost-efficiency. We think if you take the time to ensure you have a proper system setup, analyse the data your systems give you, monitoring your driver behaviour, set appropriate geofences, and choose the right provider, you can easily can fully leverage the benefits of vehicle tracking systems.