Ontivity Resources

As each one of us gets ready for our workday we will be utilizing one of our greatest tools, our vehicles.  Each of Ontivity’s vehicles is equipped with a Motive system to assist us in keeping our employees safe and to aid in staying in compliance with DOT rules and regulations. Often a camera and vehicle telematics system comes with a negative connotation however the installation of our Motive equipment has protected our employees more often than not against fraudulent claims by the general public and even lawsuits. Let’s look at just a few ways our Motive systems are assisting our operations daily while protecting our employees.

Today we will discuss three important topics on Vehicle Telematics and Pre-trip Inspections.

• WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CONNECT TO YOUR VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING?

• KNOW WHY COMPLETING DAILY INSPECTIONS ARE CRITICAL.

• SAFE DRIVING HABITS ARE KEY TO ZERO HARM.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CONNECT TO YOUR VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING?

As we look at our daily driving habits we must be looking at the actions/behaviors of the actual person behind the wheel.  As each family member company operates under a Department of Transportation or DOT number, we fall under Federal Motor Carrier Administration rules and guidelines.  These rules and guidelines set minimum standards for drivers and vehicles to keep the drivers as well as the public safe. The FMCSA has mandated that every operating vehicle that meets the definition of a commercial vehicle, is operated by a driver signed into a vehicle electronically. In the event of a critical incident, it’s important to know who to call for incident updates and proper notifications and this is not possible if you are not logged into your assigned vehicle.  If the actual driver of the vehicle is not connected this could potentially delay life-saving measures for not only the driver but passengers as well.

How can you tell if you’re logged into your vehicle, you ask.  After the dash cameras go to a solid blue, indicating that it’s operating and transmitting properly, the driver; needs to connect to the vehicle via the Motive app on your phone.  Make sure your cell phone’s Bluetooth is on as well as the location services.  Having them both on is key to a good connection.  Motive’s current application software level is identified as version 72.0.  If you’re using an older version of the app, you may not establish a solid connection and received data could be incomplete or erroneous.   If you need assistance with connecting or verifying the version of the Motive app you are running, please contact your local fleet manager or contact safety directly.

KNOW WHY COMPLETING DAILY INSPECTIONS ARE CRITICAL.

Before hitting the road each day, you need to complete a pre-trip inspection. Although it can seem repetitive to do this every day, it is essential for your safety and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance. A thorough pre-trip inspection can help prevent accidents and save you time and trouble later.  Completing these inspections properly helps protect you as well as anyone else on the road. Vehicle malfunctions have the potential to cause accidents. If you don’t fix a mechanical issue right away, it can cause a breakdown later or worse cause an accident. Although it can seem like getting an issue fixed will take longer than you would like, it saves time compared to needing to stop on the side of the highway.  The Motive tool is set up to require a pre and post-trip inspection of our vehicles and assets. Don’t get in the habit of skipping these steps because you’ve never had anything go wrong before. It is important to understand that every time you hit the road without checking your truck, there is a chance you’re putting yourself or someone else in danger.  If we all take a thorough approach to the inspection process, we make conditions better and safer for the next driver, your passengers, and anyone sharing the road with you.

Remember as the driver, you are the captain of the vessel.  This also means that you are responsible for getting the other crew members to the site safely.   Don’t risk operating an uninspected vehicle down the road.

SAFE DRIVING HABITS ARE KEY TO ZERO HARM.

Here at Ontivity, we talk a lot about safe driving.  We discuss the topic so frequently because it’s arguably the riskiest thing we do daily.  Having Motive installed in our vehicles has allowed us to identify trends, hazards, and training points for our drivers to improve their driving habits and decrease the chances of vehicle incidents.  You must listen for those In-cab alerts as they are designed to correct unsafe behaviors before something bad happens.  Please, take it seriously and make a true effort to listen when someone calls you to discuss reports of close following, excessive speeding, or stop sign violations.  Take a proactive approach to correcting the behavior and don’t make excuses for why you were dinged by the tool.  The intent of the Motive system is not to have “big brother” watching over you, it truly is about the well-being of our drivers, passengers, and the general public, and ensuring your safe arrival to and from. 

Your feedback on the performance of the tool has been crucial in assisting Motive to develop a better and more accurate system.  More importantly, since the initial installation of the systems, we have seen a steady decline in unsafe habits and on-the-road vehicle incidents.  With the Ontivity family members companies driving a total of 10million-One hundred thirteen thousand-190 miles, in 2023.  The continued messaging for safe driving habits isn’t going away and is a big piece of our journey to achieving Zero Harm. 

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of.