Security, Telematics & Cameras

The methods of vehicle theft are changing as vehicle security improves. Theft of new vehicles is in decline, whereas theft from vehicles is on the increase. Thieves are targeting older vehicles, devising ways of obtaining keys and creating opportunities to drive away unlocked vehicles.

Examples of this trend include:

• Older vehicle theft due to poor security devices
• Theft of unlocked vehicles from petrol station forecourts etc
• Key theft or ‘fishing’ at domestic premises
• Fraudulent access to hire and courtesy cars
• Theft of demonstration cars
• Highjacking of vehicles at traffic lights, intersections etc
• Theft of valuables (notably laptop computers) from car boots at motorway service stations

Within your driver’s handbook it is recommended that you provide guidance to employees to help prevent them becoming victims of vehicle theft.

Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, assess both new car factory fitted devices and after market devices and publish the results in their national listings.

Thatcham have defined a number of categories for vehicle security equipment ranging from wheel locking nuts through to after theft tracking systems.

In each category, third party security products have been evaluated against “The British Insurance Industry’s Criteria for Vehicle Security”, using specific tests to indicate the effectiveness of the product. The product listing is updated as and when new security systems are judged to have successfully complied with the criteria. Each product is subject to a review after 12 months.

Find out more Thatcham Category Listings

Most new vehicles are now fitted with the minimum protection of a Thatcham category 2 immobiliser (see above), and in many cases an immobiliser and alarm. Thatcham assesses new car factory fitted devices and after market devices and publishes the results in their national listing. The listing includes:-

• Passenger Cars
• Light Commercial Vehicles
• Heavy Commercial Vehicles (May also be referred to as LGV Large Goods)
• Plant
• Motorcycles

In the rare event that an after market device may be required to improve security on a new vehicle, it is important to ensure that the device fitted provides the most effective level of protection available.  As a consequence we suggest that only systems that have met the Thatcham criteria are used.

For further safeguards it should be ensured that:-

• The correct category of device is fitted to the vehicle i.e. diesel device for a diesel engine etc
• That it is fitted by a Thatcham Recognised Installer
• That a certificate of installation is produced stamped by the Thatcham Recognised Installer

There are a multitude of vehicle tracking and telematics systems on the market and with technological advances moving ahead at such a pace, the situation for motorists when choosing a system to protect their vehicle can often be quite daunting.

Thatcham have devised two main categories of tracking systems based on stringent technical specifications:

• Cat 5 After Theft System for Vehicle Recovery
• TQA Tracking Systems

Find out more about Thatcham Cat 5 and TQA compliant systems

Telematics is the term given to the technology that enables remote access to vehicle data over a wireless network, enabling precise vehicle positioning and monitoring of vehicle movements, including driver behaviour along with a range of other logistical management functions.

Certain telematics systems may offer some tracking functionality but should not be confused with tracking systems which are specifically designed for after theft recovery of stolen vehicles.

Saving fuel, happier customers, improved health and safety are just some of the many benefits of using Telematics systems. Utilising telematics benefits should form part of a fleet owners robust risk management strategy, foro which can have a major impact on the reduction of insurance costs. This allows the business to concentrate on other areas of improvements while maintaining their original KPIs.

Key Benefits to Fleet Owners 

• Save Time
• Save Money
• Save Fuel
• Reduce C02 Emissions
• Increase Fleet Efficiency
• Improve Driver Safety via Driver Behaviours Technology
• Improve Customer Service via Planning
• Reduce Insurance Spend

 Please visit the following links to Telematics providers we would recommend:

www.isotrak.co.uk

www.microlise.com

Forward facing cameras are your onboard eye witnesses, providing a recorded version of events should you be involved in an accident. Footage is recorded on an SD card or via automatic immediate alerts with the more advanced cameras now available, which operate 3G & 4G connectivity. It is regularly now published that “Crash for Cash” is a worrying trend on the roads, and forward facing cameras can be very useful in the fight against these fraudulent claims and staged claims.

Having Accident Camera’s whether solely front facing versions or having cameras also fitted to the rear and side views of vehicles is gradually been recognised by the insurance industry as the single most effective solution in defending dubious claims brought against them. Such technology is proving to be a key asset to policyholders and insurers alike in low impact and soft tissue injury type claims. Whilst heavily publicised, Crash for Cash is a worrying trend on the UK roads, and the use of forward facing and all angle cameras can be very useful in the fight against these fraudulent and manufactured type claims.

Key Benefits to Fleet Owners:

· Protect against Cash for Crash/Pre-meditated staged accidents

· Protect against False/Exaggerated Whiplash Claims

· Protect against Conflicting Reports of Actual Events

· Protect against False Allegations & Traffic Offences (Speed Cameras, Traffic Signal Violations etc)

· Admissable evidence in a court of law

· Proven to reduce the Frequency and Severity of your Fleet Claims by utilising the Driver Behaviour Technology

Please visit the following links for further information or contact Andrew Bourne & Co:

www.safedrivetraining.co.uk

www.smartwitness.co.uk