Contractors keep your fleet safe

In today’s high tech environment, significant numbers of workers who drive contracting business’ vehicles are putting themselves and others at risk by using mobile phones and texting, as well as speeding, grooming, eating and other unsafe behaviors while driving.   

In 2011 alone, more than 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving crashes, according to government research, http://www.distraction.gov/.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) banned commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving in September 2010, and later banned all hand-held cell phone use by commercial drivers in November 2011.

However, distracted driving continues to plague the roadways.

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Companies can’t afford to ignore this situation. Having a safe driver policy properly implemented for your commercial fleet will go a long way towards curbing these dangerous and costly behaviors.

Creating a safe driving program for your fleet requires many initiatives, including: 

• Doing initial research into best practices for safe driving.
• Gaining knowledge of legislative regulations for commercial drivers.
• Devising a well-thought-out strategy for your business/safety goals.
• Creating a tactical plan to achieve those goals.
• Using a robust fleet management system that supports ongoing collection and analysis of real-time data on driver behavior and fleet logistics, so you can check how your safe driving policy and program are working and continually fine-tune them.
• And, it entails a well-planned rollout of your safe driving program that is clearly communicated to all drivers in your fleet, with ongoing reminders and updates.

A safe driving policy

First, do your research. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/truck/driver/truck-driver.htm, details federal rules and regulations, research and data and detailed recommendations for safety and security.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.gov/, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, http://www.iihs.org/, offer additional information.

Write a road safety policy for your company that covers management’s responsibilities, employees’ responsibilities, vehicle safety and maintenance requirements, and journey planning. 

Just having a policy is not enough; you must communicate it effectively to your employees.  And, using an advanced fleet management system can be your primary tool for driver and vehicle data collection and analysis, and enforcement of the policy.

Gain employee acceptance

Clearly communicate your safety policy to employees by posting the policy on company bulletin boards and the company intranet, and mailing it to employees’ homes. Hold meetings to explain the policy to employees and get their buy-in.  Explain that improved efficiency means more money for wages, bonuses and pay rises. If necessary, involve relevant union representation in this exposition process. Explain how the business benefits extend from improving safety to improving fuel economy and asset security to proof of job attendance and legislative compliance.

Explain how telematics will benefit the workforce and why they should welcome it. Benefits to employees include:

• Less stress behind the wheel with satellite navigation and real- time traffic information.
• Protection against false claims regarding customer disputes, vehicle damage or driving violations.
• Less paperwork for drivers.
• More equitable distribution of work through greater workforce visibility.
• Safer working conditions. Managers can keep tabs on lone workers transporting high-value goods, and ensure employees get needed rest breaks.

Enforcing the policy

Enforcing your safe driver policy can be implemented most effectively using an advanced fleet telematics system that provides real-time information on vehicles and their drivers — where vehicles are, how fast they are being driven and whether drivers have had sufficient rest breaks.

Fleet management technologies can deliver a wealth of business benefits, beyond improving driver safety — to boosting productivity, to meeting legal obligations and improving customer service.

Devise an incentive program for driver engagement. The driver who creates the fewest harsh braking or speeding inputs, for example, might get an extra vacation day or cash prize. 

Instructions for driver safety

Plan drivers’ work time properly. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) reported that 13% of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers were considered to have been fatigued at the time of their crash.  To review the study go to: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/outreach/education/driverTips/Driver-fatigue.htm.

Also, instead of using text and e-mail to communicate with drivers, allocate work using an in-cab navigation device integrated with your fleet management system. Real-time alerts should appear on this device to indicate risky behavior, such as speeding or sudden braking — reminding drivers to adopt a safer driving style, on the spot, where it counts.

This navigation device should be easy-to-use — a hands-off, voice-activated, dashboard-mounted unit — so drivers can keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel to avoid accidents that sideline workers, and are costly in terms of workers’ compensation, vehicle repair and customer service and satisfaction.     

Overall, the best way to ensure your fleet’s safety and productivity is to create a safe driver policy, communicate it effectively on an ongoing basis to your drivers, enforce the policy with the help of an advanced fleet management system, and reward your fleet’s drivers for their safe driving behavior.

Kathy Kelleher is the vice president of Fleet Management at LoJack. She previously served as vice president of Business Development for LoJack’s International Division, and has led the development of LoJack’s Commercial Division, establishing long-term partnerships with the largest U.S. Equipment Rental companies enabling them to recover millions of dollars in stolen equipment since 2000.