Reduce Risk with Proper Driver Training & Safety Protocols

Of all the things that can keep you up at night, the thought of the fatal mistakes your drivers could make is quite possibly at the top of your list. Or at least it should be. 

A single truck injury can cost your fleet nearly $150,000. This rises into the millions when the accident involves a fatality. When you add on rising insurance rates, unplanned vehicle downtime, and negative effects on team morale, you quickly realize that poor driving behaviors can destroy your fleet’s profitability.

And boy, do some of your drivers have some bad habits. The best way to break risky driving is to train drivers to do better.  

New Fleet Drivers Need Training More than Ever

Does it ever seem like new drivers just don’t have the same level of practical driving skills as they used to? 

You’re not imagining this. They actually don’t.

• People are waiting longer to get their licenses which means they have less driving experience in general. The Federal Highway Administration says 20% fewer 18-year-olds have their licenses now than in the 80’s. 
• Few people under the age of 30 had the benefits of a driver’s education class. The number of high schools that offer driver’s ed has been dwindling since the 80’s.   
• Plus, younger drivers are more prone to distracted driving habits. Nearly 30% of fatal distracted driving accidents in 2020 were caused by people between the ages of 25 and 34. 

In reality, your younger drivers could be just one text away from causing a ton of problems for your fleet. 

9 Components of a Robust Safety & Training Program

To avoid becoming a part of the statistics, it’s your duty as a fleet manager to ensure your drivers and equipment operators are fully trained in vehicle and equipment operations. 

1. No Mobile Devices Policy

First and foremost—restrict the use of mobile devices while driving or operating equipment. Drivers simply should not use cellphones, tablets, or PDAs while behind the wheel or controls. 

It’s illegal to text and drive in 48 states and to use a handheld device for any reason in 24. If you’re still condoning the use of mobile devices, it’s time to change your policy.  

2. Mandatory Certifications

Incorporate certifications as part of your onboarding process. Whether it’s obtaining proper credentials like a CDL or transportation worker identification credential (TWIC), or securing accreditation for all your equipment—make sure every driver is certified to operate your assets.

Remember, certifications expire. It’s a good idea to set reminders at least 30 days before the expiration dates and plan for employees to retake their tests. Remindex offers an automated alert system that makes it easy to stay on top of employee certifications.

3. Equipment Orientations

Plan walkarounds so drivers and equipment operators can get familiar with features and controls. Manufacturers’ manuals can be chock full of information and diagrams to help drivers get to know their assets.

When you purchase new equipment, Inquire with your vendors about offering employee orientations. Some will do this in person. Others have a library of training videos you can add to your training repository.

4. Healthy Driving Habits

The Department of Transportation will slap you with hefty fines if they catch drivers on duty for more than 14 hours. Other sources recommend driving no more than 8.5 hours a day and taking a short break every two to three hours. 

Determine what’s best for your fleet. Set realistic guidelines for the maximum number of miles or hours your drivers can safely drive or the number of jobs your operators can safely complete in a day.

And encourage drivers to be well-rested when they start their shift. Drowsiness contributes to an estimated 21% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes. 

5. Clear Emergency Procedures

It’s easy for mistakes to happen in adverse circumstances. Establish clear policies and procedures to help your drivers know how to respond in an emergency. 

This includes what actions they should take if bad weather hits and the exact steps they should follow if they’re in an accident.

6. Driving & Equipment Simulators

Simulators provide drivers and equipment operators with hands-on experiential training without the risks to people and equipment of traditional training. Here are a few simulation providers to check out.

• Realtime Technologies: Multibody vehicle dynamics, and graphical simulation and modeling. The company offers simulation software applications, consulting services, custom engineering solutions, and software and hardware development.

• L3Harris: Hands-on experiential training for drivers, offering experience without risks to people or equipment.
• Driving MBA: Simulation, on-road, and classroom instruction for corporate fleet drivers.
• CAT Simulators: Heavy equipment training technologies and certifications for Caterpillar Inc. equipment. 
• Simulator Systems International: Equipment simulators designed, engineered, manufactured, and installed to meet your training needs,.

 7. Real-World Training

Complex operations and environments can’t always be properly simulated. Companies like Samba Safety and West Coast Training offer traditional training courses that can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive training and safety program. 

8. Fleet Telematics

Sometimes what you really need are eyes in every vehicle to see how drivers perform when no one is around. Fleet telematics can monitor driver behaviors, speed, braking times, and more so you can reward drivers who have good driving habits and provide extra training to the ones who don’t. 

Your fleet management software may have telematics built in. If not, you can find several telematics solutions in our integrations library. 

Build a Safety First Culture

Safe and well-trained drivers are the natural result of a safety-first culture. It all starts with the standards you create. 

• Set clear expectations for your team. 
• Develop policies and procedures that support those expectations.
• Give your team the tools they need to improve in this area. 

For more advice on risk management and building an intentional culture, tune in to The Fleet Success Show—a podcast dedicated to talking about the fundamentals, standards, and best practices that empower today’s fleets.