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Trucking fleet
OTR driver safety: 6 tips for fleet managers
When managing a fleet of truck drivers for an over-the-road (OTR) company, safety is the drumbeat of your operations. Truck drivers are out on the road the majority of their working hours, exposing them to a high rate of risk. You can reduce the potency of those risks by ensuring your drivers are trained, supported, and equipped with all necessary resources.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – aiming to reduce crashes and fatalities in the trucking industry – created a list of seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). These categories are used to quantify data from OTR driving records based on a “Safety Measurement System.”
The way it works is these safety categories are each given numeric values and your drivers are measured in a 0-100 range (100 indicating the worst performance). This system of measuring driver safety allows the FMCSA to intercept potential problems on the road before they occur.
We looked at this list and created a list of our own: a list for fleet managers to achieve the highest level of safety from their drivers. By abiding by our six tips listed below, you can maintain the best driver scores on the BASICs safety measurement system test. And remember, the lowest scores are the best.
We also created our own infographic you can hang up in your drivers’ break room that lists tips on how to be a safe driver. Read on to learn how to simply and effectively amplify safe driving habits with your team of truck drivers and win on the BASICs test.
10 safety tips infographic for your commercial drivers
These are driver tips! Share with your team for compliance with stronger safety practices.
Six simple and effective driver safety tips to live by as a fleet manager
1. Prioritize driver training and emergency protocol
When it comes to safety, knowledge is power. Providing comprehensive training programs for your drivers is essential. These programs should cover:
- Fleet vehicle familiarization
- Defensive driving techniques
- Traffic laws and regulations
- Safe loading and unloading procedures
- Emergency response protocols
- Driver wellness
Encouraging ongoing training and periodic refresher courses will also help keep safety practices at the forefront of drivers’ minds.
2. Invest in regular vehicle maintenance
Regular vehicle maintenance is a crucial aspect of truck driver safety. Implementing a proactive maintenance schedule ensures that trucks remain in optimal condition, reducing the risk of breakdowns and accidents. Make sure drivers are well-informed about any upcoming pre-trip inspections and establish a system for reporting issues before they become a problem. A clear and accessible inspection and reporting system will ensure all of your vehicles are perpetually optimized.
3. Encourage healthy habits for your fleet of truck drivers
Driving for long hours can take a toll on a driver’s physical and mental well-being. Promote a healthy lifestyle by emphasizing the importance of regular exercise, a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep. Encourage drivers to take regular breaks to combat fatigue and stress. In 2023, in an effort to reduce fatigued driving, the FMCSA started requiring fleet managers to provide drivers with electronic logging devices (ELDs). These devices keep a record of service hours, incentivizing fleet managers and drivers to not exceed time regulations.
Implementing policies that prohibit driving under the influence is also a must as a fleet manager. The FMCSA’s Clearhouse, a secure online database, provides employers with real-time updates on drivers in the Drug and Alcohol Program, establishing a way of tracking violations and keeping the roads safe. The Drug and Alcohol Program tests and monitors FMCSA-regulated employees in accordance with federal rules against the use of controlled substances and alcohol for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) drivers. If a violation occurs, the driver is entered into the database and receives evaluation and treatment before being cleared to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) again.
Employers are mandated to observe all employees and check in on them annually to ensure compliance with the rules. Ultimately, the FMCSA’s implementation of the Clearhouse is another important step towards protecting everyone on the road and keeping drivers accountable.
4. Driver check-ins and monitoring as a fleet manager
Regularly assess the performance and behavior of your fleet of truck drivers. By providing feedback and guiding drivers on improving their driving habits, trust can be established and drivers are encouraged to perform better. This is a great opportunity to implement performance evaluations and incentives for good driving. And while cash incentives are common, many employees can be even more motivated by public acknowledgment and recognition of their superior work.
5. Keep the lines of communication open between you and your fleet of drivers
Maintaining open communication with your drivers is another way to build a team of safe drivers. Encourage them to report any safety concerns they have or difficulties they encounter on the road immediately. Establish regular check-ins or safety meetings where drivers share their concerns and trade best practices for how to maintain safety on the road. This feedback loop will not only improve your operations but also boost your fleet’s morale and engagement. It also can strengthen the bonds between drivers and managers, leading to a friendlier work environment.
6. Support your drivers by equipping them with the right tools
Driver fleet card use helps streamline the financial aspects of driving, allowing your drivers to cover all essential expenses while on the road. Fleet card use can prevent drivers from experiencing any added stress that comes with money management related to their work expenses, from fuel purchases to repair costs. By minimizing the need for cash transaction or personal credit card use, drivers are able to feel more confident and secure in transactions, by reducing potential risks that come with handling cash or using multiple payment methods. The benefits of using a fleet card also go beyond payments – WEX fleet cards also give your drivers access to roadside services, like towing and jump starting. This allows your drivers to focus on their job – safe and uninterrupted driving.
WEX is a leading, global fintech solutions provider, simplifying payments and back-end business processes in the fleet management, benefits management, and corporate payments areas. To learn more, please visit the company’s About WEX page.