Thanks to a driving safety program from SmartDrive Systems, Los Angeles-based Access Services reduced vehicle claims in its paratransit operations by 50.2 percent last quarter.

SmartDrive Safety uses in-vehicle recorders to capture highly detailed video and vehicle data during sudden stops, swerves, collisions and other events. Captured data is uploaded wirelessly and sent to professional safety reviewers who categorize and score the events according to 50-plus safety observations. Fleet managers then use these results to improve fleet performance and overall driving safety.

With previous experience in employing innovative safety solutions and technologies, Access installed SmartDrive safety recorders in 550 vans and mini-buses. Results from the second quarter of 2011 show that Access lowered the number of claims by 50.2 percent compared to the baseline period, during which in-vehicle recording equipment was calibrated and drivers and supervisors were trained.

Access Services provides Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit to people with disabilities in Los Angeles County.