Fleet Management: Driver Behavior Counts

Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

When you give the car keys to your teenager for the first time, you wish you were sitting in the back seat controlling how they drive. Unfortunately, you have very limited control and the consequences of poor driving can be disastrous. It’s time to think of your employee drivers in a similar manner; these principles apply to your company’s fleet management program.

To gain some sense of control, you regularly perform fleet inspections and driver trainings. You also hire and manage according to driving records, which provides a picture of the employee’s past driving history. Though, if you are honest with yourself, you too have driven over the speed limit many, many times before you received your speeding ticket. So, a driving record is not the only way to gauge a driver’s behavior.

If you had an effective and efficient way to impact your driver’s behavior before a ticket or accident occurs, you would feel more confident about managing your fleet.

There are Global Positioning Systems (GPS) that can monitor some of the problem behaviors like speeding; however, the onus is on you (the employer) to analyze the information then act on it. Another problem with this type of system is willful negligence. What happens if you have the data, know of a problem, but don’t act? This could cause a major problem when an accident occurs because you knew of a driver’s poor behavior but did nothing specifically to correct it.

The insurance industry is in a commercial auto claims crisis. The cost of vehicle repairs have increased and whether you employ safe drivers or not the price to insure a vehicle is skyrocketing. Simply, the claims have exceeded the premiums collected and the carriers are trying to recover the loss. So, steering driver behavior is more important than ever for your bottom line.

To the degree you can control auto claims created by your employee drivers, the better your premiums will be. Fewer claims equal lower premiums — simple as that. Claims are caused from poor driving behavior. Improve drivers’ behavior on any given day, and you’ll reduce the number of accidents.

But, how do you do that?  Logistically, you can’t physically ride along with every employee to ensure they are driving safely, and offer real-time corrective guidance when they make mistakes.

As mentioned, there are GPS devises that measure driver behavior and performance. The devices will consolidate the information; but, it is up to the employer to analyze and act on the information.

Ask yourself, do I have enough time to consistently review this information and implement the correct plan of action? Do I have the resources available to manage this process?

If you are unsure and would like to learn about automated ways to track, manage and correct behaviors likes seatbelt usage, speeding, harsh braking, acceleration and corning, join us at our upcoming Fall workshop, “Driver Behavior is What Counts” and learn how to effectively and efficiently improve your fleet management practices and reduce premiums using smart technology.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Sam Clayton at (619)937-0167.

5 Tips to Improve Your Fleet and Driver Safety Program

Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

In order to create a best practices fleet safety program that will help you reduce claims and control premiums, we recommend you consider adding the following controls to your written fleet safety program.

1. DRIVER SELECTION

• Check MVR’s prior to allowing anyone the opportunity to drive for your company. Enroll drivers into the DMV Pull Program to monitor their driving experience throughout the year.
  DMV Pull
• Create a short written driver safety quiz that all drivers must pass with a certain percentage of correct answers. Be sure to go over the incorrect answers to help them grow as a safe driver. Consider re-testing on a regular basis.
  Quick Safe Driving Quiz, Decision Driving Quiz
• Perform a drive test with the employee to make sure they are capable of operating the vehicle safely. Be sure to have employee’s attach trailers, park vehicles with trailers and cone off vehicles if it will be required during the scope of their employment.
  Road Test Evaluation Form, Road Test with Trailer Evaluation Form
• Create custom policies that outline driving requirements employees must reach to be able to drive for the company and sustain their eligibility to drive.
  Sample Driving Requirements

2. FLEET MONITORING SYSTEM

• Consider using fleet management systems to help monitor route efficiency, speed, GPS, and fuel intake while automatically tracking when maintenance is required per vehicle based on individual use. It is highly suggested you disclose that your company uses fleet monitoring systems to all your employees and include this in your employee handbook.
  Fleet Monitoring Information

3. DISTRACTED DRIVING POLICY

• Implement and remind employees that distracted driving is the leading cause for motor vehicle accidents. Create a policy that employees are aware of and regularly remind them of your stance on distracted driving. 
  Sample Distracted Driving Policy, Distracted Driving Quiz, Distracted Driving Article

4. QUICK TRAINING CHECKS AND BALANCES

• Consider creating a proprietary “Company Name Quick 365” safety training techniques to reiterate the importance of safe driving.
  • Quick vehicle and rig checks prior to starting the vehicle to ensure everything is secured and ready to be mobile.
  • Reward employees for safe driving techniques or suggesting safe company procedures.
  • Use actual accidents and incidents to create training topics with possible solutions.

5. DETAILED ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

• When an accident occurs, be sure your employee is properly trained to document the incident with an in depth accident investigation report.
  Accident Investigation Report

For questions about your fleet and driver safety program, contact Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. at (619) 937-0164