Vehicle Safety: Creating A Driver-Friendly Culture

21/10/2009

By Aidan Rowsome, General Manager at GreenRoad Europe

For owners and managers of vehicles, ensuring the safety of company vehicles and drivers is a critical concern. It’s not just a matter of keeping costs low or reducing liabilities in light of the corporate manslaughter bill, it’s also a matter of being a good employer and running a sound business.

If your vehicles represents a significant part of your workforce, your drivers are a big part of your corporate image and can provide competitive advantage. Conversely, they can be your single greatest liability.

After meeting with vehicle managers and observing their practices,...

...we have created a list of best practices for vehicles wishing to build a “driver-friendly” environment. Take a look at your culture to see if it is up to snuff:


1. Create and Communicate Safety Policies:

Having safety policies protects both your organisation and its drivers and minimises confusion. These policies need to include disciplinary procedures, drug and alcohol testing, accident reporting and vehicle use policies. Be sure to hold open meetings to discuss new or changing policies.


2. Offer Training to Everyone:

In most fleet organisations, there is never enough training. Be sure to include training for non-drivers too, especially administrators who interact with drivers regularly, as well as special programs for the most risky drivers.


3. Provide Scheduled Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance:
Develop a preventative maintenance program for vehicles to ensure they are in safe operational condition.


4. Establish Standards that are both Efficient and Driver Friendly:
Standard behaviour can increase efficiencies and safety. This might mean assigning drivers their own dedicated vehicle for example.


5. Use Technology to Empower Drivers:

Technology can identify risky driving and alert management when necessary. Research shows that drivers will change their behaviour on their own without requiring management intervention.... continued on page two >

 

 

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