Prime Source Foods recently deployed the SmartDrive video-based safety program across its entire fleet of refrigerated trucks.
SmartDrive, which specializes in video-based safety and transportation intelligence, said Prime Source, a leading food distributor, cut short its competitive pilot test of the system, deciding the SmartDrive solution was the best solution for its fleet based on ease of use, speed of receiving videos and intuitive coaching dashboard.
“The transportation industry is continuing to experience an uptick of fleets utilizing video-based safety to drive financial, operational and safety improvements, and we’re proud to partner with Prime Source Foods,” said Steve Mitgang, SmartDrive CEO. “Ron and his team are dedicated to protecting their drivers.
“Couple that mindset with our open, configurable and flexible platform, and Prime Source Foods can be sure its investment will pay safety dividends now and in the future.”
In addition to experiencing no at-fault accidents since deployment, Prime Source Foods has:
- Eliminated mobile phone use while driving
- Reduced speeding incidents by 89%
- Decreased instances of following too closely by 90%
- Reduced incomplete stopping by 80%
- Improved SmartDrive Safety Score by 89%
“SmartDrive has done an amazing job helping make our fleet safer. The numbers speak for themselves,” said Ron Nagle, transportation manager at Prime Source Foods. “But what’s more, SmartDrive has helped reduce our maintenance and fuel costs.
“On the whole, drivers are operating more safely—there are fewer events triggered by hard braking, we’re seeing safer cornering and overall smoother driving.
“When I joined the safety department in 2017—after 25 years at Prime Source Foods—I told our management team I wanted to cut the number of accidents in half. SmartDrive has done just that and more. It’s also helped us exonerate drivers when they aren’t at fault, helping save costly marks against their CDLs.
“SmartDrive has more than paid for itself.”
With more than 60 years in business, Prime Source Foods—formerly Poultry Products Northeast—is the largest independently owned food distributor in New England and upstate New York, focusing on center-of-plate products. With more than 3,000 customers, the company provides a full line of proteins and provisions, including all-natural and local products.
When SmartDrive was deployed, Nagle wanted to ensure the program would be used as a safety tool to help drivers succeed. The company uses information and insights from the SmartDrive program as the basis for each coaching session, viewing these as an opportunity to communicate with drivers to help them improve.
To maximize visibility to risk, Prime Source deployed both road- and cab-facing cameras, as well as back-up cameras. With a complete view in and around the cab and trailer, drivers understand management has their back—and context on hand—when a collision occurs. In one instance, a Prime Source driver was accused of backing into a building. However, video from the SmartDrive system showed the building was already damaged, helping to exonerate the driver and avoid a large, unnecessary payout.
“Although everyone may not have been on board when we initially deployed SmartDrive, they’ve quickly come around and experienced its benefits. Drivers appreciate that video is there to validate the actual events in a collision,” Nagle said. “Every fleet should have the SmartDrive program; you’ll save money from Day 1 just on fuel alone. When you add in insurance, repairs, equipment and maintenance savings, it’s a no brainer. Your drivers will get home safer and more quickly, be more refreshed and ready to work the next day.”
To read more about SmartDrive customer successes, visit smartdrive.net/why-smartdrive/customer-success.
