Distracted driving, fatigued driving, and reckless driving behaviors are all coachable risks that can save a fleet business’s budget and, most importantly, the lives of its drivers. As a manager or operator, you’ve likely taken essential measures to create an effective safety program for your fleet. However, driver coaching is sometimes necessary to better protect your drivers and company. There are specific approaches and techniques for implementing effective coaching strategies that are covered below.
Educate Drivers
Large commercial vehicles, such as semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, have a much higher center of gravity than other automobiles, making them more susceptible to rollovers and other serious accidents. Commercial vehicle drivers need to be aware of the potential for accidents and take the necessary precautions to stay safe on the road.
Fleet managers must ensure their drivers have the knowledge and skills to navigate roads safely and efficiently. Driver education and training can protect employees, vehicles, and the public while helping drivers be better prepared and less likely to be involved in an accident.
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Regular coaching helps drivers stay mindful of their surroundings, improving their safety awareness and allowing them to react faster to potential hazards. Although face-to-face coaching is preferable, especially for drivers who consistently exhibit unsafe driving behaviors, it is only sometimes feasible due to time constraints.
Virtual or remote coaching through the Driveri® app enables managers to send tailored messages to drivers, helping them address incorrect driving behaviors. Automated coaching eliminates face-to-face coaching sessions, allowing managers to address behaviors that need improvement. Additionally, drivers can have a friendly competition with their peers through gamification, helping them to improve their safety scores and achieve fleet goals.
Commit to Promoting a Safety-First Culture
Implementing a comprehensive safety program can help your company reduce costly accidents, minimize vehicle maintenance expenses, and ultimately reduce long-term operational costs. As a fleet manager, you are expected to set a positive example and ensure that all drivers and employees know and follow safe driving practices.
Identify risks early to prevent collisions
One of the significant threats to road safety is distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,142 people were killed in 2020 due to motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving.
Fleet management tools such as the Driveri® AI fleet dash camera system are available to monitor drivers and ensure they are safe on the roads. This system can detect distracted driving, speeding, and other risky behaviors and alert fleet managers when drivers are not following safety protocols. Using such fleet management tools, managers can ensure that drivers are safe and that the roads remain safe for everyone.
Remain compliant
Knowing different regulations is essential to staying compliant. One of these regulations is the Hours of Service (HOS), established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This regulation sets the maximum time a driver can spend driving in 24 hours and how many hours they can accumulate in a seven-day or eight-day period.
Adhering to the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations is a crucial requirement for any commercial driver. With a fleet management system, you can stay up-to-date on your drivers’ hours and thus remain compliant with regulatory HOS requirements. Fleet management software is not just about recording and transmitting data about fleet activities. It also gives managers insight into how long the engine runs and who is behind the wheel.
Establish incentives for drivers who demonstrate safe driving habits
A fleet safety management system is a powerful tool that can help improve your company’s work culture by recognizing negative and positive driving behaviors. By tracking and analyzing these behaviors, the system can provide valuable insights that help identify areas of improvement and ensure that your company is taking the necessary steps toward a safer, more productive workplace.
Netradyne’s fleet management system has advanced recognition features, Driverstars and GreenZone, that can reward drivers for safely and effectively completing their routes. These features can help to ensure that your organization’s drivers are on track to meet safety, performance, and productivity goals. Additionally, managers can use the system to reward positive driving behaviors, such as following speed limits, avoiding lane drifting, and staying within designated areas. These can help create a safe and responsible driving culture while inspiring your organization to strive for continual improvement.
Make Data-Informed Decisions With a Fleet Management Software
Data analytics is one of the most powerful fleet management tools available today. It can help organizations use insights from their vehicles’ daily operations to improve their systems. By gathering and analyzing data, fleet companies can improve efficiency, cut operating costs, and increase the safety of their fleet.
However, collecting data is not enough. Managers need to transform it into actionable information that can lead to significant changes. Doing so involves identifying trends and using that information to make strategic decisions.
Fleet management software can help you identify the cause of certain driving behaviors and road accidents. With Netradyne’s safety system, drivers can be alert before a potentially dangerous driving event occurs.
This advanced technology offers protection beyond traditional fleet management solutions, enabling managers to detect risky driving behaviors and take appropriate action to reduce the risk of accidents. With this system’s help, you can ensure that your drivers remain safe and that your fleet is well-protected.
Final Thoughts
Fleet coaching strategies can be a powerful way to improve your fleet’s performance and ensure your operations’ success. Managers can help cultivate a safety culture within their company by implementing safety training for drivers and establishing incentives for employees who demonstrate safe driving habits.
Get the help you need with Netradyne’s fleet management software to improve the operational efficiency of your fleet. With Netradyne, you have the power to take control of your fleet–from tracking vehicle performance and driver safety to optimizing routes and reducing costs.
