In the first years of the new millennium the volume of data available to fleet operators increased by a factor of 50, but that is in the slow lane compared to the torrent of “big data” that will be delivered from the “connected car”.

As the volume of data available to fleet managers continues to increase it is critical, according to Darren Bell, director of Fleetvolution Consulting, that they use the information to shape their strategy.

That, Bell, will tell delegates attending the first Commercial Fleet Summit and Exhibition on Thursday, September 24 at the International Centre, Telford, is particularly critical when implementing an occupational road risk management strategy.

Bell, who has a 30-year fleet career behind him including most recently a near five-year spell as director of fleet services for security services company G4S, which operates a fleet of 6,500 cars and commercial vehicles, recently launched the consultancy business to pass on his own operational vehicle and driver management expertise to other fleet decision-makers.

During a Summit workshop on safety, risk management and the continuing growth of technology, including telematics and engine remapping, Mr Bell will explain that data empowers fleet decision-makers to drive the design and implementation of their at-work road safety programme.

However, he said: “In my experience many businesses are trying to create an at-work safety strategy without any data and without understanding what and where the problems are.

“Many fleets are implementing safe driving solutions, but they do not have the data to support their decision-making or their strategy. Instead they are introducing what they think are the right solutions.

“My experience tells me that data should drive fleet risk strategy and with the growth of technology the information available to fleet decision-makers to enable them to introduce targeted solutions has never been greater, and will further increase.”

As a result, argues Bell, fleet decision-makers can become far more proactive and analytical. He will conclude: “Good fleet management is about having a robust level of information that enables strategic decisions to be made.”

Limited tickets are still available for the Commercial Fleet Summit, book your place at www.commercialfleetsummit.co.uk or contact Emma-Louise Kinnaird on 01733 395133 or emma-louise.kinnaird@bauermedia.co.uk