MKM reduce incidents by 30% using Motormax Live DVR and 5-Multi-Camera Technology

Goals and challenges

• Increase visibility across the fleet from central location
• Instant access to footage
• Improve driver visibility and awareness
• Reduce claims experience
• Improve compliance and driver behaviour
• Relationship with Telematics solution
• DVS compliant

Solution

• Motormax Live DVR, 5 camera system and side detection sensors
• 2TB SD card capturing six weeks of footage
• Samsara Telematics installed across the entire fleet (660 vehicles)

Results

• 30% reduction in incident frequency YTD
• Support quicker claim liability decision making to reduce claim costs
• Improved driver behaviour
• Speed of access to footage via Motormax platform proven
• Oct 2024 DVS compliant
• Tracking and camera systems work in conjunction with each other
• Motormax technology installed to 328 trucks and vans to date
• Remaining installations planned for all new vehicles as they come online, completion expected by mid-2027

MKM Building Supplies is the UK’s leading independent builder’s merchant, with 128 branches across England, Scotland & Wales. With a fleet of 660 commercial vehicles, MKM Head of Transport Shane Thompson’s challenge was to improve visibility of the fleet from a central location, reduce incidents and accidents, and support drivers’ awareness at the point of delivery.

Shane explains, “My main aim was to improve driver visibility and data management as well as gaining easier access of footage remotely”. MKM had forward-facing legacy cameras installed across the commercial vehicle fleet, however these were not live feed. “When we needed to download footage, we had to retrieve the SD card from the vehicle and plug it into a laptop and IT had to un restrict each SD Card to give access, and at times we found no footage due to the cameras failing without us knowing. Motormax provided the solution we needed by giving MKM access to a live DVR multi-camera system, which is able to work in conjunction with our choice of telematics platform”.

Advice and recommendations from industry colleagues helped to support the selection of Motormax as a supplier. “Ian Roberts at Massey Truck Engineering and Lee Wymark at Stark Group both recommended Motormax. Ian and Lee are both well respected in the transport sector for development of safety across commercial fleet.”

Notification of potential incidents

The system differentiates between vehicles in motion, ignition on and off with live alerts notifying MKM of potential incidents, system failures and/or damage caused to cameras. Downloading footage can be caried out from any workstation pulling data directly from the live DVR situated in the cab.

We opted for a five-camera 2TB DVR solution with forward, rear, sides, and load facing cameras giving drivers better visibility through an in-cab monitor.

Current YTD 30% reduction in incidents

Shane continued, “The five-camera system has clearly had an impact on incident frequency, the number of spurious and 50/50 insurance claims and has helped MKM’s insurance company determine liability more quickly.  It will also support insurance premium renewal discussions when insurance premiums are only going one way”.

“Its early stages and with more work and development to be done, but, MKM have seen a 30% reduction in incidents year to date comparing 2023 to 2024. The primary reason as stated for the Motormax cameras and sensors was to give our drivers better visibility and in-cab alerts. The highest percentage of incidents occur at the point of delivery – being low-speed manoeuvres with our drivers coming into collision with stationary objects on building sites and residential areas. The Motormax technology has allowed MKM to support our drivers in a positive way at the delivery point”.

In addition, organic growth within MKM has seen the fleet size grow by between 40 to 60 vehicle per year for the last five years, however the ratio of incidents against fleet size in the last 18 months is reducing, which is very encouraging in these early days of the systems implementation.

Compliance and legislation

A key objective for MKM was to ensure compliance across the fleet. Shane explains, “Motormax is a valued source of information for the London Direct Vision Standard (DVS). Motormax have made it their business to understand and develop technology to meet the needs of the updated DVS 2024, and the new standard coming into force in October”.

Shane enthused, “Why differentiate between London and the rest of the country when it comes to safety? As such we have taken the decision at MKM to install the London DVS equipment on all new vehicles going forwards, regardless of their location”.

Installation and service

Shane sums up, “I cannot fault the service from Motormax. Particularly the speed of installation from ordering, ease of system use, great communication, support, and tracking footage if we need additional support.”