Roadway safety is a significant problem in the United States. In 2023, 40,990 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes and millions more were injured, according to the US Department of Transportation. Given the staggering number of vehicle-related deaths, fleet safety is one of the most important responsibilities of a fleet manager. Ignoring safety standards can lead to road accidents, damage your company’s reputation, disrupt business, and cost you millions. By prioritizing fleet safety and following the tips below, you can protect your drivers, maintain your vehicles, and make the roads safer for everyone.
Hire Safe Drivers
Having a safe fleet starts with hiring safe drivers. Make sure all of your new recruits have the correct commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a clean motor vehicle record (MVR). Be thorough during the hiring process; conduct background checks, contact references, and evaluate dirinv history reviews to find the best people for the job. Only working with drivers that meet your company’s standards can go a long way in enhancing your fleet safety.
Offer Continuous Training
Everybody could use a reminder on the rules of the road from time to time. Though your drivers should already have clean records, offering ongoing training helps to keep them up-to-date with new safety standards and emphasizes the importance of safe driving practices. Your training program should cover:
- Basic road rules
- Defensive driving techniques
- Managing fatigue and avoiding distractions
- Responding to emergencies
Create a Detailed Fleet Safety Program
In order to protect your drivers and vehicles on the road, you must create a comprehensive fleet safety plan. This program outlines your safety policies as well as the consequences of violating your policies. It should provide clear guidelines on vehicle maintenance, safety rules, driver training, emergency response procedures, and reporting safety concerns. Include policies and advice on how to reduce distracted driving and driver fatigue, too. This plan helps to communicate your expectations to employees, improving compliance and road safety.
Creating your safety plan is only the first step. Be sure to regularly review and update your fleet safety procedures. Safety regulations, best practices, and technological advancements change all the time; incorporate these new changes into your program to ensure it remains effective.
Monitor Drivers’ Performance
Even the best drivers slip up sometimes. Conduct regular safety audits to make sure your drivers are following your fleet safety policies. Here are a few steps you can take to monitor your drivers’ performance:
- Perform ride-along evaluations
- Track all call-in reports from motorists
- Review road incidents and accidents
- Inspect Department of Transportation (DOT) roadside inspection reports
- Evaluate vehicle performance data from telematics devices and engine computers
Be sure to address violations in real-time and take corrective action immediately. Use the findings from your audits to remind drivers’ of your safety standards, offer additional training and driving resources, and schedule essential fleet vehicle maintenance.
Perform Regular Maintenance on your Fleet
Keeping your vehicles road-ready is perhaps the most important way to stay safe on the road. Regular maintenance helps drivers avoid mechanical issues while on the road, preventing dangerous accidents and time-consuming breakdowns–all while saving your business money in the long run. Preventative fleet maintenance includes services like oil changes, brake inspections, engine checks, tire rotations, and more. Work with a trusted fleet services company that can handle all of your repairs and maintenance needs.
Encourage Good Health for Drivers
Commercial drivers must adhere to the minimum DOT driver medical certification requirements. For the safety of your drivers, you should encourage these health standards and provide resources for healthy living. To promot good health to your employees:
- Make sure your drivers meet the minimum requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Publish DOT standards as a guide for minimum health standards
- Encourage healthy eating while on the road
- Train drivers on how smoking, drinking, mental health, and certain medical conditions can impact their driving
- Offer resources to improve mental health and overall wellbeing
Keeping your drivers and vehicles safe on the road is no small task. It involves hiring the right people, setting safety standards and practices, continual training and evaluation, performing regular vehicle maintenance, and more. However, these simple tips can go a long way to preventing incidients on the road, saving your business money, and keeping your fleet safe.
Fleet safety is impossible to achieve without taking proper care of your vehicles. At Garden State Fleet Services, we provide top-quality fleet maintenance and repair. Our skilled professionals provide in-shop and onsite repairs, making it easy for you to keep your vehicles in top condition. Contact us to learn more about our truck maintenance and fleet management services.
Our team is dedicated to delivering the highest level of customer service, to exceed our customer’s expectations and to keeping your fleet moving.
