Managing Commercial Vehicles and Fleet Costs

Communicate Management’s Expectations

Management should communicate to supervisors and employees that vehicle and driving safety is an important part of business operation cost control. It should also be clear to all employees that safe vehicle operation is expected and part of their job responsibilities.

Hold Supervisors and Drivers Accountable

Every vehicle operator should understand that safe driving skills are a condition of employment. Recognition for excellent driving performance is a powerful motivator for reducing vehicle accident loss claims and ensuring drivers consistently develop good driving skills. Using an incentive program, which has rewards of interest to drivers for achieving reasonable performance goals (such as every 2,000 or 100,000 miles driven without an accident), will reinforce, and promote the use of safe driving skills. Periodic job performance appraisals should include and reflect the safety record of each driver. When a commercial driver’s safety performance is not up to par, coaching and counseling should be used to make it clear improvement is expected. If the driver’s safety performance does not improve, the driver should be removed from driving duties.

Select the Best Drivers

A driver safety program will only be as good as the quality of the vehicle drivers. No matter whether on a part-time or full-time basis, anyone who drives a company vehicle or who drives a personal vehicle while doing company business should be expected to conform to the same selection criteria.

Check the accident and traffic violation conviction record of each driver candidate. Poor past driving experience is not a certain predictor of future driving experience, but has been found to be a strong indicator that the driver is much more likely to be involved in future accidents. The job application should include a release to the employer so that vehicle driving, credit and medical records can be checked. The truck driver candidate must have a valid current driver’s license. If the driving job involves handling valuable equipment, cargo, and/or money, a credit check should be done in accordance with applicable credit reporting laws. Always interview driver candidates. The interviewer should inform the candidate of physical exams and other testing requirements. Employers should conduct an actual road test before offering employment to driver candidates. The operator test should consist of conditions and driving tasks required by the position. When all information from exams, interviewing, reference checks, and tests are used to select the best-qualified driver, the odds are in your favor that a competent, safe operator has been hired.

Keep Drivers Trained

Even if safe, competent drivers are selected, periodic retraining and re-evaluation of operator skills are desirable. Sometimes the law requires that some drivers must receive training and be tested. It’s a good idea to give refresher training and driver tests to all drivers periodically to ensure that they know traffic regulations and use safe driving practices.