Lytx Europe Ltd. (formerly DriveCam Europe Ltd.), a global leader in delivering driver safety and compliance solutions, today announces Ian Peters of DS Smith as the winner of its International Driver of the Year Award for 2013. Peters was selected as a result of his excellent driving behaviour, demonstrated whilst following the DriveCam® programme which has helped him to become a safer driver.
The DriveCam programme, which combines sophisticated data analytics with expert video review, allows commercial drivers and fleet managers to identify the root causes of risky driving amongst their fleets. The International Driver of the Year Award recognises drivers who have shown that they are able to consistently operate their vehicle in a safe and responsible manner, demonstrating the fewest number of risky driving incidents that would indicate a requirement for coaching.
DS Smith driver Peters, who has been a professional driver for 16 years, said that the DriveCam programme helped him to become a safer driver and also demonstrate his professionalism to his employer.
Peters commented: "DriveCam has given me a much greater awareness to situations that may arise or develop. I'm now much more proactive rather than reactive in my driving style. With the benefit of DriveCam I have been able to evolve and demonstrate my professionalism to my employer and my colleagues and feel safer as I do so."
Peters has worked for DS Smith for nine years, using the Lytx' DriveCam programme for the last five. Through the programme, drivers become safer while companies using DriveCam also benefit from lower operating and insurance costs and improved safety performance year after year.
Lytx VP and General Manager for Europe Paul Jones, who presented the award to Peters, said: "Lytx congratulates Ian on this fantastic achievement. Our goal is to make sure that drivers always get home safely to their families and the level of safety Ian has achieved is a real testament to the DriveCam programme."
Peters added: "For drivers just about to embark on the DriveCam programme I would say to treat the camera as your friend - it is there as much for you as it is for anybody else. You can learn from it and improve your professional techniques; I certainly have in the last five years.
"I feel less stressed and fatigued through the way I now drive. A good example of how my style of driving has changed would be my approach to traffic lights. When I approach a light that is green I will slow down to a speed that I can stop safely and without activating the camera if the light was to change to red. Ultimately, my approach is therefore safer."