Managing traffic tickets can be a major challenge for logistics and rental companies, or any other company with its own fleet. Automation can be a major ally in this process and facilitate the identification of violations, drivers, points on their licenses, need for appeals and payment of fines, regardless of where the tickets were issued.
There are several reasons why drivers commit traffic violations. And companies that work with transportation or have their own fleet are very likely to face fines, not only due to driver recklessness or disregard for the law, but also due to inattentive driving. Ignorance of specific rules, such as requirements to wear a mask inside the vehicles or turning on headlights on highways, or having a headlight or tail light out can also lead to fines and penalties.
Another factor these companies have to manage is the deadline to appeal the fines and designate a driver for the violation. For André Scher, CEO of Auctus.ai, a company specializing in augmented intelligence, automation can help a lot in these cases. “Companies often miss the deadline for filing an appeal or designating the driver of the vehicle at the time of the violation, either due to oversight or because the notice does not arrive on time. Depending on the violation, the points can add up quickly, causing the driver to have their license suspended and the company to be without their employee. Nowadays, there are some technological capabilities that can help enterprises manage this issue,” he explains.
One of the most common causes for traffic tickets taking a long time to arrive is that they are sent by mail, and since there is no return receipt requested, proving this delay is not easy.
The expert says that even though nowadays notices are also sent via email, the driver of the vehicle only learns of the notices after the points are added to their licenses when registering with their state DMV. By then, there is nothing else to do, no appeals are allowed.
“It is important to note that, in addition to the issue of not being able to appeal the fines or points added to the drivers’ licenses, payment is another problem when the notification arrives late or does not arrive at all. For businesses, i.e. logistics companies or companies with their own fleet, the amount of the fine is doubled if they fail to designate the driver in a timely manner,” says Scher.
According to Scher, automation can be an ally to businesses when it comes to processing these tickets. “Nowadays, companies can use an automatic platform that is interconnected with all traffic agencies in the country, allowing them to quickly and efficiently check the status and points of a drivers’ license, as well as any vehicle traffic violation using the RENAVAM code or the license plate, and notify the appropriate driver. Users can check for traffic tickets issued on federal, state and municipal highways, and by law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Highway Police, State Highway Police, the National Department of Infrastructure and Transportation (DNIT), and municipal traffic agencies,” he says.