South Africa's roads have become a dangerous place for Field Service technicians, but you can reduce the impact poor road conditions have on workers and your business with Vehicle Tracking Software.
Dangerous road conditions are one of the leading causes of road accidents in South Africa, and unfortunately, the situation is only getting worse. The country has one of the largest road networks globally, so it's no surprise that experts have estimated that a lack of road maintenance will eventually cost the country billions of Rands.
Why South Africa's roads are deteriorating
Insufficient road maintenance is not the only reason why the country's roads are in bad condition. While ongoing repairs maintain the thickness of the roads to prevent surface damage, the poor quality of the roads leads to a shorter lifespan. South Africa uses a cheaper method than the United States and Europe to build roads - the crushed rock and gravel layers used below the road surfacing reduces the cost by 40%. However, when the surface cracks, rain penetrates the road, and when the lower levels get wet, they lose their strength and potholes are created.
The cost of poor road conditions for Field Service companies
Because your field workers travel every day, the quality of the roads is vital for your Field Service business. You're also responsible for the safety of your assets and employees, which dangerous road conditions could threaten. As your business relies on road transport to get to clients, poor road conditions could have a significant impact on your business, and these are some of the ways your mobile workers could be affected.
Increases the chance of road accidents
South Africa's roads are no longer safe, no matter how carefully you drive. If a driver swerves to avoid a pothole or bad patch of road, they could lose control of the vehicle, leading to a severe or fatal accident. It can be particularly challenging to see potholes when there's rain or fog - something drivers don't have control over. Any Field Service company wants to avoid accidents to prevent asset damage and keep technicians safe.
The cost of wear and tear on fleet vehicles
Uneven or rough roads can cause severe damage to your vehicles, and they can damage your vehicles' suspension, engine, and exhaust system. Hitting a pothole could even dent your rims or puncture a tyre. Even if your technicians don't immediately experience the effects of bad roads, pothole damage could have long-term effects.
Poor road conditions slow down Field Workers
If the roads aren't well maintained, your mobile technicians won't feel confident driving on the road, or they may have to drive slowly to avoid an accident. As a result, it'll take them longer to get to job sites, reducing their productivity. If they don't get to appointments on time, customers may become frustrated.
Use Vehicle Tracking Software to reduce the impact of poor road conditions
While you may not have control over the country's road conditions, you can get around the problem using Vehicle Tracking Software. No matter which type of Field Service business you're managing, vehicle tracking can be used to plan the routes your technicians take and keep an eye on them when they're in the field.
Assist with route planning
With access to the live location for every technician, it's easier to plan their journeys to help them avoid poor road conditions. You can also choose the quickest or most economical route or find an alternate road when there are protests or road closures. Once a technician has arrived at a job site, you can rest assured that they reached their destination safely and on time.
Keep mobile technicians safe
Keeping mobile technicians safe can be challenging, but Vehicle Tracking Software takes the stress out of supervising your team. Whether they're near the office or travelling to job sites out of town, you'll be able to view their live location and respond if there's an emergency. Vehicle Tracking Software also provides driver performance reports, which you can use to monitor your technicians' speed. Speeding reduces a driver's reaction time, which is one of the reasons why it's dangerous, so watch their speed to keep them safe on the road.
An accurate record of each journey
Vehicle Tracking Software is often used for its live location feature, but it's also a helpful tool if you need to go back in time. The software records every journey so you can see where your team has been and how far they've travelled. If you need to verify a mobile worker's journey, you can confirm their mileage, how many appointments they had on the day and the locations they visited.
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