Truck accidents cost fleets a great deal of money but also result in lost productivity, higher insurance premiums and damage to the company’s reputation.
When a company develops a culture of safety, it works to improve the safety across the entire organization. But I want to focus on making drivers safer, which is something that has to be embraced at the very top levels of the fleet and reinforced by every manager the driver interacts with.
There are a variety of steps fleets can take to ensure the safety of their drivers.
It starts with the way a vehicle is spec’d. Spec’ing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is a good first step. This includes collision mitigation systems, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Make sure drivers know how these safety systems work and that they understand that having these safety systems on the truck does not replace the need for safe driving practices. Also consider adding high visibility seat belts and grab handles.
Speed plays a role in many accidents so anything you can do to manage speed should help with fleet safety. Engine parameters can be set that govern speed at both the pedal and in cruise control. Of course, you need to keep in mind duty cycle when governing speed so drivers can successfully navigate the terrain in which they operate.
Once a truck is spec’d for safety, it is important to make sure it is well maintained. You should be aided in your maintenance efforts by your drivers’ efforts during their pre- and post-trip inspections. These are your first line of defense in locating a developing maintenance issue. Make sure any problems noted on DVIRs (Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports) are addressed immediately. Track preventive maintenance compliance to ensure that trucks are brought in for their maintenance service when scheduled. Even one missed maintenance service can impact safety.
Safety is something that should be talked about continuously with your drivers starting with driver orientation and continuing in regular driver meetings. Make sure you are clear about your policies concerning cell phone use and other things that can distract drivers when they are behind the wheel.
You can use data from telematics devices to coach drivers who engage in unsafe driving practices such as hard braking and hard starts. Reward drivers who achieve certain safety milestones and encourage them to share their safe driving practices with other drivers. Announcements of driver safety milestones should be made in front of drivers and other staff members while driving coaching should be conducted privately.
Spec’ing trucks for safety, keeping them well-maintained, communicating with your drivers about the importance of safe driving practices and recognizing those drivers who embody safe driving practices should go a long way to making sure your fleet is as safe as possible.
