Fortune Transportation Chooses SmartDrive for Fleet-Wide Video Roll-Out

SAN DIEGO, March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartDrive Systems, a leader in driving performance solutions that reduce collisions and improve fuel efficiency, announced today that Fortune Transportation, a safety-focused and driver-centric for-hire trucking company, is deploying SmartDrive's video-based safety program across its fleet of more than 150 vehicles. Following a competitive head-to-head assessment, Fortune selected SmartDrive based on the superior innovation of its open platform and program-exclusive capabilities including: immediate offload and access to video; the ability to never miss a collision and capture no-impact incidents with Extended Recording; rich analytics and key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be easily incorporated with Fortune's existing driver scorecard program. The SmartDrive solution delivers more options for Fortune's fleet, more protection for its drivers, and significantly more value for the business. 

"As we were evaluating options available in the market, SmartDrive was the clear front-runner in terms of ROI. We experienced first-hand how immediate access to video can make a significant difference. Between the two systems we tested, only SmartDrive was able to provide us video within minutes of our driver's collision," noted Kent Kelly, general manager of Fortune Transportation. "In the first couple of months, we had two traffic collisions and the ability to download the video and send it to the driver for law enforcement review negated the need to send investigative resources to the scene, saving us several thousand dollars per incident. While I did expect to see ROI, I had no idea that it would come so fast!"

Immediate access to video proved to be the critical difference in protecting a Fortune driver and avoiding an insurance claim in a Valentine's Day collision. North of St. Louis, Missouri in the early afternoon, a passenger vehicle and Fortune truck collided. The driver of the passenger vehicle accused Fortune's driver of leaving his lane of traffic, causing the driver of the car to spin-out and hit the truck. Kelly was alerted immediately and within minutes had the collision video to review – which clearly showed the Fortune driver had stayed in his lane and the passenger vehicle was at fault. In less than 30 minutes, the driver was reviewing the video with the state trooper at the scene proving his innocence. The driver avoided a citation and the company did not waste valuable time and resources fighting a costly claim.        

Another key factor in Fortune's decision was Extended Recording, which expands the capabilities of the core program by enabling fleets to access up to 100 hours of contextual video on-demand. With this service, Fortune can have video for low impact and side swipe collisions, as well as all types of issues on the road, from delivery verification to security incidents. Additionally, Fortune can easily integrate SmartDrive's actionable KPIs and robust metrics with its existing driver scorecard program, amplifying the value of the fleet's existing technology and performance management investments. 

"SmartDrive's Extended Recording service has been a significant benefit in terms of helping drivers understand the value of in-cab video and providing us with more context on significant incidents," continued Kelly. "During our pilot, SmartDrive captured a near-miss collision the other provider's solution did not get. Our Fortune driver did all the right things and we subsequently used this video to showcase his great performance to other drivers, giving them a real-world example of the protection video delivers."

Fortune leverages SmartDrive as an integral component of its on-boarding orientation. Kelly uses actual incident videos to explain how the program works and showcase the protective and professional benefits of the system. This approach has put the drivers' minds at ease and Fortune has been able to eliminate any push-back. 

"Fortune is yet another forward-leaning fleet choosing SmartDrive's video-based safety program for its powerful combination of innovation and exceptional value and we are proud to welcome them as a customer," stated Steve Mitgang, CEO of SmartDrive. "We stand alone as the only solution with extended recording, an open platform, seamless data integration and analytics, and immediate access to video. When fleets can combine all of these capabilities in a single solution, they accelerate ROI and achieve maximum value from their investment." 

About SmartDrive Systems

SmartDrive Systems gives agencies, drivers and operators unprecedented performance insight and analysis, helping to save fuel, expenses and lives. Its video analysis, predictive analytics and personalized performance program help fleets and carriers improve skills, lower operating costs and delivers significant ROI. With an easy-to-use managed service, fleets and carriers can access and manage performance anytime, anywhere. The Company has compiled the world's largest storehouse of more than 140 million analyzed risky-driving events. SmartDrive Systems is based in San Diego, Calif., and employs 450 people worldwide. For more information on SmartDrive Systems, please visit www.smartdrive.net. 

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