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The commercial trucking industry is one of the most dangerous in the country. It’s one of the most hazardous industries to work in. Commercial truck drivers are at a high risk of serious accidents, so you must do everything you can to keep your drivers safe. If you manage a fleet of commercial vehicles and their operators, there are many things you can do to protect them from accidents and injuries on the road.
Here are some tips to help safeguard your drivers and their trucks:
- Communicate Clearly With Your Drivers
Good communication is the foundation of all healthy relationships, including those between fleet managers and their drivers. If you have regular communication with your drivers, you will know what they are experiencing while on the road. This knowledge can help you identify safety issues and address them quickly.
If you don’t talk to your drivers, you won’t know what they are experiencing. You won’t know if they are experiencing unsafe situations or have concerns about their equipment’s safety. You won’t know if there is anything you can do to improve their situation. When communicating with your drivers, keep the following tips in mind.
- Insure your Trucks
Getting insurance is one of the best ways to protect your commercial fleet from costly accidents. You can purchase insurance for your commercial vehicles and commercial trucking equipment. This insurance will help you cover the cost of repairs. It can also protect you from legal consequences if you’re responsible for an accident. There are many types of commercial vehicle insurance policies. Depending on your fleet’s needs, you may need commercial auto insurance, commercial trucking insurance, or both. You can find out which types of insurance are right for you by contacting a commercial insurance company.
- Deploy Safety Features
Your trucking company’s vehicles and equipment must be safe for drivers and passengers. There are many ways you can achieve this. Certain safety features, such as a backup camera, electronic braking system, and lane monitoring system, can alert drivers if they are in danger or are about to make a mistake. These features can help prevent accidents from happening in the first place. If you drive a commercial truck, you’re also legally required to follow certain safety standards. Take care of your trucks, and they’ll take care of your drivers.
- Educate Your Drivers On Safety Protocols
While you have the right to mandate certain safety precautions in your company’s vehicles, it’s better to choose the route of education instead of force. It will create a safety culture that extends beyond your contract’s requirements. It will also help build a stronger relationship between your drivers and the rest of the team.
Ensure you educate your drivers on the following safety topics: – Seat belts – Truck drivers must wear seat belts at all times to prevent serious injuries in an accident. – Hours of service (HOS) – Commercial vehicle drivers are legally mandated to take breaks after a certain amount of time on the road. – Commercial driver’s license (CDL) – Your drivers must have a valid CDL to operate commercial vehicles. – Hazmat registration – Some commercial vehicles are required to carry Hazmat materials.
- Track And Monitor Your Fleet
Even if you’re not legally required to, using software to track and monitor your fleet of commercial vehicles can bring many benefits. First, these tools can help you spot potential safety issues before serious accidents. – Location tracking – Some tracking solutions can also provide drivers with up-to-date information about nearby hazards and traffic. It can help drivers navigate tricky driving conditions and improve their safety on the road. – Engine diagnostics – You can also use tracking software to monitor the health of your vehicles’ engines. It can help you spot issues before they become serious and save you from costly repairs. – Driver performance – Some software can also track driver performance, including driving habits and hours of operation.
Investing in commercial trucks requires huge capital hence taking precautions and safety is of the essence. The above tips can greatly save you and protect your truck drivers from accidents. Ensure to follow some of the tips to stay safe all the time.
