When it comes to your supply chain, fleet safety is always a concern – especially when you consider that a single crash can have catastrophic effects, both in human and business terms. In fact, just offsetting the cost of a $25,000 crash (cargo and vehicle damage, medical and injury costs) requires an additional $1.25 million in revenues. In addition, CSA violations can result in costly downtime and penalties.
Whether you have a private or dedicated fleet, smart preventive maintenance, driver training & recognition programs, safer route planning and an enterprise-wide commitment to safety are the keys to keeping vehicles, drivers and cargo on the road.
Here are 5 tips you can use to ensure your fleets safety:
1. Screen new drivers before hiring.
Hiring qualified drivers is a must, because good drivers are the key to a safe, successful fleet. During the interview process, it’s important to ask the right questions and do due diligence. This means checking Motor Vehicle Records and accident histories, screening applicants using the CSA Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP), running criminal background checks and conducting pre-hire drug and alcohol testing to avoid property damage/lawsuits.
2. Encourage safety from day one with driver orientation and training.
Educate your drivers on driving skills and your policies, process and safety focus from the time they are on-boarded. When drivers are well-trained they are better able to handle the daily challenges of transporting cargo. Providing ongoing training also improves the driver pool’s skills while improving retention.
3. Recognize and reward outstanding driver performance
Another effective way to improve performance, and save you money, is to recognize and reward high performers. The safest fleets are also the most economical because they have lower repair, maintenance and insurance costs. Passing on those savings is a powerful motivator.
4. Invest in a regular schedule of preventive maintenance
A well-maintained fleet can prevent defects that lead to crashes, costly FMCSA penalties, CSA interventions and downtime. Case in point: a vehicle with worn brakes is more likely to be involved in a crash than one whose brakes are checked regularly. Having an effective schedule of preventive maintenance includes checking and repairing pre- and post-trip and at every fuel stop.
5. Use onboard technology to accelerate safety
By transforming ordinary trucks into connected trucks, you can identify good drivers, risky drivers and opportunities for training. Telematics combines an onboard computer, wireless communications and GPS to provide a birds-eye view of vehicles and drivers when they’re on the road – actionable information that can be used to identify problems and drive safety.
Is your organization taking steps to improve fleet safety? Is your dedicated provider up to date on safety and compliance requirements? Do you want to learn more about driving a culture of safety? Learn even more tips for keeping your transportation network safe by downloading our Tip Sheet – “ Top 10 Tips for Transportation Safety.”
