Bottom line, safety is the number one priority of every fleet company. Fleet managers and drivers are equally responsible for ensuring they follow safety tips that can save millions of lives. According to the CDC, road traffic crashes “are the leading cause of death in the United States.”

Knowing how to practice safe driving is integral to every fleet company. Here are some smart driving tips managers need to establish and for drivers to sustain for everyone’s protection.

8 Important Safe Driving Tips

1. Practice defensive driving

Conduct a defensive driving safety talk to establish the best way to increase road safety. Your drivers can anticipate what others are doing on the road and be safe in driving. They can also be prepared for any sudden emergencies or aggressive behavior. Use these driving safety topics as part of the talk:

·   Recognize your blind spots –Review and commit the potential blind spots of their truck to memory. Always check the side view mirrors and minimize lane changing.

·   Monitor speed – Speed limits maintain vehicle control and keep everyone protected at sharp curves or school zones.

·   Always signal – This protects you and other vehicles.

·   Follow all road signs – These show the necessary traffic and safety rules in that area.

·   Understand safe braking distance – Following distance for commercial vehicles ensures no sudden crashes or breaks occur between the parties.

·   Avoid hard braking, acceleration, cornering – Setting up the correct safe driving behaviors in a program will ensure everyone avoids these dangerous acts.

·   Be prepared for emergencies – Keep all trucks or vehicles supplied with an emergency kit.

2. Schedule preventive maintenance actions

A regular preventive maintenance check schedule is critical to safe driving. It includes inspections, vehicle repairs, and scheduled services. Without preventive maintenance actions, your drivers may end up delaying your services.

3. Use a driver safety solution

Technology is your best driver safety solution.Netradyne’s fleet safety platform Driveri® harnesses innovative ways on how to improve driver safety. Real-time, in-cab alerts remind staff to implement driver safety tips. Driver performance is improved with the GreenZone score, a positive behavior-based score that keeps track of driver’s compliance to traffic signals, stop signs, and other driving behaviors that help in showing them how to be a safe driver.

4. Coach drivers to avoid distractions

It’s important to regularly check in with your staff and remind them of important driver safety topics such as avoiding distractions. Knowing how to drive safely also hinges on preventing distracted acts such as looking at your phone or eating behind the wheel. Avoiding distracted driving is among the top things to remember while driving, its important to have a list of distracted driving safety tips to share.

5. Encourage breaks

Regular breaks are among the best ways to improve road safety. They are integral to preventing fatigue. Make sure your drivers include rest breaks for eating, checking their phone, and taking naps. You could integrate scheduled breaks as a safety tip of the day to show that the fleet company is encouraging this practice.

6. Driving in the rain

Did you know large vehicles are more prone to accidents during the rainy season? You can send out a safety message for rainy days so drivers can plan their trip. Here are some top road safety tips for the rain:

·       Drive slower than your normal speed.

·       Do not go into overdrive.

·       Lengthen the distance between you and other vehicles.

·       Keep your seat belt on.

·       Do not put your radio on high volume. Keep it low.

·       When changing speeds, do it gradually.

7. Driving in the winter

Preparing for winter weather is crucial, because it poses serious danger.

Winter driving can be planned for with preventive measures. Create a winter driving training video drivers can always access. It should include a contingency plan they can implement if the snow gets worse midway. Don’t forget to include these important driver safety facts:

·       Extreme temperature can affect your emissions control system, so always check your dashboard warning lights.

·       Leave a large distance between your truck and other vehicles. For snow service vehicles, keep a distance of at least 200 feet in between.

·       Avoid making any abrupt driving actions.

·       Slow down especially when turning into sharp curves and intersections.

·       After a break, remove the snow and ice on the rooftop before driving again.

·       Keep the gas at least half full when driving in the winter.

·       Have an emergency kit composed of clothes, blankets, food, and water for sudden stops.

8. Driving in the summer

It’s not just winter that can be dangerous, high summer heats affect driving. Some summer driving facts precautions include staying hydrated, having enough water on hand, always checking the brakes before the drive, and checking if your tires are inflated correctly. High temperatures increase the risk of a blowout of under-inflated tires.

Driving Safety Facts

These safety driving tips protect everyone on the road. Among the advantages of road safety awareness include lower costs and insurance discounts. Remember to stay safe and have drivers reference these tips before every trip.

Interested to know how Netradyne can improve driving? Read more about The Top Elements of a Driver Safety Solution or Contact Us.