Safety in numbers

We’re rolling out 6,000 extra telemetry kits to vehicles across the country as we continue to invest in improving safety and fuel efficiency.

The small boxes are installed on dashboards and provide real-time feedback to drivers by showing warning lights and making beeping sounds if they accelerate too quickly, brake too hard, turn too sharply or drive too close behind another vehicle.

13,000 telemetry kits were installed into delivery vehicles in 2015-16, but we have recently received approval to retrofit an additional 6,000 – and from now on, all new vehicles purchased will come fitted with the system, known as Trimble, as standard.

Rollout of the new kits started this month and will continue until November.

Wallington delivery office has achieved a dramatic improvement in its safety record since Trimble was installed in two vans, with compliance almost doubling from 44% to 86% year-on-year.

‘It’s brilliant,’ said postwoman Juanita Gadsby. ‘If someone stops suddenly in front of you and you have to brake, you know the data will show you weren’t speeding. It gives me more confidence in my driving.'

Delivery line manager Mark Bird, added: ‘It gives a great insight of how people in the unit are driving and areas to improve. We just want everyone to come back safely.’