The latest research by ALD Automotive and YouGov is said to show that over one third of UK businesses employing more than 500 staff have introduced telematics technology on their fleet as part of a move to reduce costs and mitigate risks associated with running their business vehicles. The research also reveals that over 37% of those surveyed are using telematics now or are currently trialing the technology.

Another survey of 500 business drivers carried out by ALD Automotive, found that 60% of drivers would have no issue in having on-board technology that could identify the location of their vehicle, previously considered negatively amongst drivers using telematics.

Both set of results highlight a growing acceptance by UK businesses and drivers of the benefits delivered by telematics in reducing fuel costs, improving driver behaviour and ensuring driver safety.

With increasing demands placed on businesses to control their fleet costs, reduce risk and manage their carbon emissions, ALD Automotive's ProFleet2 telematics solution, which was launched in 2004, confronts those issues by using a vehicle-data service that utilises telematics to record vehicle and journey data. With driver consent, authorised parties such as a fleet manager can then remotely access this data.

Talking about the findings, Keith Allen, managing director of ALD Automotive UK, said, "As telematics technology has evolved, our customers and companies in general have increasingly begun to recognise the benefits delivered by telematics in helping them better manage the costs and risk associated with their fleet. What is also very encouraging is the positive reaction from UK business drivers regarding their use of telematics in recognising the benefits it can deliver both themselves and their employers, such as improved driver behaviour."