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If your company operates a fleet, then your drivers are an incredibly important part of your overall business. It is the responsibility of those drivers to make sure that everything gets where it needs to be, on time, and exactly as planned, and ensuring you get the most from your drivers will always be conducive to your company’s success.
However, getting the most from fleet drivers is a little… complicated. Drivers are out of sight and are therefore difficult to monitor and assist, so the usual techniques business owners can use to help and encourage employees don’t apply. Instead, you’ll need to alter your approach, and opt for the following driver-specific methods…
#1 – Provide both initial and ongoing training
Training is incredibly important for fleet drivers, as – unlike office workers – they cannot simply ask for clarification from their boss in the next office if they experience a problem during the working day. When you first hire drivers, ensure that they are fully trained in everything from the fundamentals of their own role to the health and safety essentials that they will need to abide by. In addition, you’ll also want to provide ongoing training that reaffirms the basics and ensures any changes or updates can be discussed and implemented successfully.
#2 – Provide an overview of company policies in each vehicle
Training ensures that your drivers have the background information they need to perform their role and maintain safety on the road, but it’s also useful to affirm this by including a full written list of all company policies related to driving in each vehicle. Include information relating to behaviors such as cell phone usage, and also provide a thorough description of what drivers should do in the immediate aftermath of an accident on the road – hopefully, they will never have to use it, but it’s good to have it there just in case.
Keep drivers aware that you will always have their backs and the might of a qualified truck accident lawyer to fall back on. Knowing they have the support of their company will set drivers’ minds at ease and increase their determination to do the job to the highest standard possible.
#3 – Use technology to your advantage
As we touched on in the intro, drivers are out of sight for much of their working time – but with technological advances, they definitely don’t need to be out of mind. You can use measures such as a GPS camera to ensure safety advice is being followed as you would hope and monitor driving habits, so you can then provide complete, individualized feedback to each driver in your fleet.
#4 – Encourage openness in regards to fatigue
When it comes to driving, fatigue poses a serious threat to the safety of your drivers. As a result, it’s always best to encourage a complete openness policy; if a driver feels that they are too fatigued to drive to the best of their abilities, then they should be reassured that they can reach out to you, explain the situation and that you will work with them to find a resolution that works for everyone.
In conclusion
By following the tips above, your fleet drivers will have everything they need to perform at their best – much to the benefit of the individual drivers themselves, and to your company as a whole.
