Fleet Safety Programs Are Backwards. You’re Doing It Wrong!

Fleet managers, think fast – who are your top three drivers? If you have to stop and think, you’re proof that the current system isn’t working.

And like all fleet safety managers, you know what drivers need the most improvement. They break the rules and have multiple disciplinary meetings. What’s wrong with this picture? Well, it’s backwards. Shift your focus from poor driving behavior to the bigger picture; improving and scaling fleet safety for every driver. Stop punishing bad drivers!

We’ll let you in on a secret: It’s not your fault. Most driver safety solutions are only built to see what went wrong, and as a result, fleets prioritize fixing bad driving behavior rather than rewarding good ones.

So, we dare you to flip the system.

First, prioritize understanding who your best fleet drivers are and reward them for positive driving behavior. When drivers consistently maintain a safe following distance, move over for vehicles, or don’t run stop signs, these are the drivers you reward. Positive driving incentives will also motivate poor performing drivers to improve.

Imagine—or remember—as a driver, what it feels like to have to appear in front of a supervisor for coaching feedback. Drivers who constantly receive negative feedback typically become less and less motivated. However, starting out with positive reinforcement will create an impactful and actionable conversation.

Yes, news flash! Drivers are more willing to stay and become happy, engaged employees when they feel appreciated. Studies show that businesses with engaged employees enjoyed 100% more job applications than those with disengaged employees. Rewarding positive driving can help with your driver retention and recruiting. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg…productivity and profitability follow suit.

So, how do you find your best drivers?

Here’s the good stuff.

1. Don’t Fear Cutting-Edge Technology

The most advanced in-cab video cameras use cutting-edge technologies like Advanced AI and Edge Computing (analysis on the device) to “see” 100% of driving time including positive driving behavior, like creating a safe following distance. Such a solution compiles all driving events into a driver score for managers to easily see the best and worst performers. It also has real-time alerts to correct and coach risky behavior. We all have bad habits, and reminders really do help.

2. Give a Thumbs Up

Beware of safety solutions that are built solely on reviewing videos after an incident occurred. Techology has advanced. Implement systems that positively recognize your best drivers. Reward them! Set the tone that positive driving behavior earns perks. We’ve seen time and time again that a nominal cash reward or prize incentive can accelerate change.

3. Manage the Edges

Now that it’s clear who your best and worst drivers are, you can confidently encourage and reward the safest drivers and coach the worst performers. Advanced safety systems help to automatically coach under performing drivers or alert them to risky behavior. From there reward them as they show signs of improvement. Then, make the edges visible. These two groups are the examples that will show middle-of-the-road performers what to do and what not to do.

4. “Gamify”

Games are not just for kids! We all have a competitive streak, and games help us become more engaged. Who doesn’t want to earn points for doing good work? It gives a sense of achievement, especially when you’re competing with your colleagues and friends for top scores. Drivers who work with a game reward system are more willing to go the extra mile, so to speak, for their companies. It also helps drivers feel connected to the team while they’re out on the road alone.

5. Create Bite-sized, Team-based Goals

Set compliance goals such as average speed, percentage of drive time spent with a safe following distance, or full stop light compliance. Focus on one metric until that goal is achieved, and then move onto the next one. Create driver teams to extend the gamification, further motivate your drivers, and build camaraderie.

The “Fix-It” Plan

For companies looking to implement a driver safety program or improve an existing one, Automotive Fleet’s Mike Antich outlined five principles for successfully changing driver behavior to create a corporate safety culture:

1. Engagement:

   All stakeholders — from senior management to local supervisors — should be engaged in the process of managing driver behavior. To ensure success, senior leadership must support the initiative and communicate that support to everyone within the organization.

2. Policy:

   It’s critical that an organization has a well-communicated policy in place that defines acceptable driving practices as well as standard driving performance expectations.

3. Training:

   New hires should receive onboarding assessments and training. Existing drivers should receive weekly or monthly driver training to keep safety fresh in their minds. Violators should receive remedial training to help them improve deficient skills.

4. Measurement and Scoring:

   Measure driving behavior through continuous MVR monitoring and real-time evaluation of driving behavior. Drivers should be scored for their driving performance. Whenever a driver exceeds the organization’s threshold for a given data parameter, the driver should be assigned points. Points should be tracked, aggregated, and categorized in order to identify high-risk drivers, as well as consistently safe drivers.

5. Immediate Management Action:

   When an event occurs — whether it is an accident, an infraction, a violation, or exceeding a set organization threshold — it is critical that action be taken immediately to improve the driver’s behavior. The action may include driver training, supervisor coaching, or ride-along observations, but it needs to be immediate in order to reinforce safe driving expectations.

It’s proven that when drivers are appreciated for their good work, a company’s productivity rises. A fleet safety program with built-in positive recognition will increase drivers’ motivation and productivity, retain top performers, and improve your company’s bottom line.

Forget What You Used to Know About Fleet Safety Programs - Are You Ready to Flip the System?

Netradyne is an advanced safety platform and camera system that through deep, advanced AI recognizes both positive and risky driving behavior and automatically initiate corrections to improve fleet safety. Driveri® video safety system captures everything that happens on the road, automatically recognizing good driving and providing coaching where needed. But don’t take our word for it; hear from fleet managers that use it.

Ready to learn more, email Netradyne at driveri@netradyne.com or call 1-833-GRN-ZONE (1-833-476-9663)