Fleet management involves so much more than simply maintaining a fleet of business vehicles. You don't just send teams out in the morning and greet them when they come in after shift. In most cases, fleet managers are also responsible for planning the logistics of routing and task assignment for every driver and vehicle on the job. 

Security risks are a major concern for businesses with fleets who are connected to the internet. This risk is only expected to grow as the car industry becomes more focused on incorporating technology into smart vehicles. 

Fleet safety is a big concern for many companies regardless of their size. Unsafe drivers, vehicles and other factors can lead to an accident and possible injury. Your business will save money and operate more efficiently when it follows certain safety precautions to keep your fleet safe.

[The Continuance] (Part 2 of 2)

Cooling Pack Vests 

Sunburn is what happens when the sun heats your skin up too much for too long. Heat stroke, on the other hand, is what happens when a team member's core body temperature rises too high. If you are dealing with a constant risk of heat stroke or your company is located somewhere with occasional record-high hot temperatures, keep a few cooling pack vests handy.

In the peak of the hot summer season, there is one issue that every fleet manager and field service business needs to consider: Keeping your teams cool and safe. Even if the AC in the vehicles works perfectly, client locations are not always guarantee-ably cool. 

The summer is the peak of tourist season in most regions and almost every city in the US sees a surge of vacationers when the weather gets warm and the kids are out of school. This is a great time for the city's economy as tourists fill your hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and museums bringing business and spreading vacation cash around. 

Does your field service fleet provide roadside assistance? Drivers who run into trouble on the road often need to pull over and call for professional help in a variety of situations. Mechanics, tow truck operators, and locksmiths often find themselves called out to dangerous roadside situations where it is necessary to render assistance as cars rush by at 60 or more miles per hour.

For small and mid-sized businesses with fleets, there are few topics more pertinent to the long-term financial health of your company than fleet safety. Even with the best possible preparation, accidents happen. A safer environment for employees and motorists on the road is beneficial for every company that operates a fleet of any size.

Fuel cards have historically been one of the most challenging aspects of fleet management. You have to send your team out with enough money to refuel whenever that becomes necessary. However, just giving drivers a stack of cash and sending them out into the world isn't exactly secure business. 

Photo via Daniel Arndt/Flickr.

Estimates indicate that over 400 people may lose their lives and nearly 46,000 may be seriously injured while on the nation's roads this Memorial Day Weekend, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). For commercial fleets, safe driving messaging should start in the workplace, according to the council.