Roadside Assistance: Be prepared for the unexpected
Safety is a major concern whenever it comes to on-road transportation. Innovative technologies are, therefore, arising to limit the amount of uncertainty, personal, and material damage. Telematics-based technologies, like tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), are proven to prevent unexpected breakdowns on the road. However, not all breakdowns can be predicted or prevented.
If the worst should happen, your drivers need assistance to ensure their own safety and the safety of the vehicle and cargo.
In North America, 500,000 trucking accidents are estimated to take place annually with a rising trend ever since 2009. Tire defects account for around 30% of truck-related accidents and are, therefore, the most common cause of these accidents. (source: ProlicyAdvice)
If our experience in Europe bears any relation to that of the road freight transport industry in the USA, then the number of roadside breakdowns is steadily increasing.
Reasons for unexpected breakdowns
There are various reasons for breakdowns, some are due to the age of the equipment or lack of maintenance, and some are due to unpredictable incidents on the road. According to research, unexpected breakdowns can be caused by many reasons, the following being the most common ones:
- Tire puncture
- Engine failure
- Defective brakes
- Defective electrical system
- Damage to chassis and cooling units (source: Wedolo)
Be prepared for the unexpected
When preparing for the worst-case scenario, it is important to have a clear action plan ready in a stressful situation such as an on-road breakdown.
There are several points that should and can be arranged so that your drivers have the confidence to manage equipment breakdowns in the best way. Choosing a reliable roadside emergency provider beforehand, communicating the choice to the drivers and distributing the roadside assistant provider’s phone number to the drivers is essential.
Choosing your trusted roadside assistant provider
When choosing your trusted partner for breakdowns, it is important to evaluate several factors:
- 24/7 availability
- Geographical service network and number of cooperating workshops
- Number of mobile service units available
- Years of experience and knowledge
- Supported languages
- Availability of online incidence tracking
Breakdowns can happen at any time and any location, therefore, it is important to have an all-year-long 24/7 available emergency assistance in all the countries that your business is operating in. Equally important is the availability of support in the languages that your drivers understand.
North American breakdown service around the clock – non-stop with TIP Roadside Assistance
TIP Roadside Assistance provides help and offers services for your trailers 24/7, 365 days per year without upfront costs. In case of a breakdown, support is being offered in more than 18 languages and is available in North America, the United Kingdom, and 16 European countries covering South, East, Central and North Europe.
With TIP Roadside assistance, you have access to an extensive fleet of mobile service units. Each mobile service unit is equipped to fix ripped curtains, perform small bodywork repairs and carries complex trailer diagnostics technologies to test brakes and detect electrical faults.
In addition, customers have access to the TIP Roadside Assistance portal, which has a history of incidents and updates on the incident status.
The large geographical network allows TIP’s Roadside assistance to act globally and help locally in Canada and Europe!
Take no risk: get in touch and find out more on how to best protect your drivers, cargo and vehicle.
