How to Ensure Driver Safety for the Success of Logistics Companies
The 2018 Driver Safety Risk Report says that the number of accidents and injuries are growing day by day and 40% of such road accidents are work related, according to an article on FleetOwner. Motus, a vehicle management and reimbursement platform, released statistics that reveal that vehicle crashes can burn a hole in a business’ budget, costing employers a whopping $56.7 billion in 2017 alone.
After calculating all the medical expenses, insurance, vehicle damage and so on, businesses that own fleet vehicles have finally realized that ensuring driver safety can actually do a world of good for the business. A close friend of mine, who runs a logistics company, has always emphasized that the security of vehicles and drivers should be the first and foremost priority for any business in her industry.
Challenges Faced by Drivers
Drivers who drive long distances can be deprived of sleep for nights on end. This is one of the major reasons for road accidents. Not only that, these poor drivers suffer back and neck problems quite frequently, due to uncomfortable seats and extended hours of driving. All of this makes driving a stressful job. Heavy traffic, adverse weather conditions and the pressure to meet deadlines are enough to distract any individual, making them less alert on the road, say experts at Key Software Systems.
Importance of Driver Safety
Safety of a driver is necessary for the reputation of the logistics company. They are ones who ensure that the goods are delivered, without damage and on time. Driver safety is something that cannot be ignored because last mile, on-time delivery has become one of the biggest selling points for a logistics company. The driving patterns, therefore, should be constantly monitored.
All issues associated with driving patterns, such as rash driving, speeding, taking unnecessary breaks, can all result in excessive usage of fuel and a waste of time, not to mention high risk of accidents. These should be taken care of as soon as possible, to minimize costs and ensure smooth deliveries.
Solutions to These Challenges
1. All fleet companies should consider regular health checkups for their drivers. These should include blood pressure checks, HIV tests, eye sight tests, glucose levels and so on. They must also be educated about symptoms of chest pains, headaches, dizziness, sudden tiredness, etc. The more aware they are of such signs, the quicker they will be able to detect a problem and get the required treatment.
2. Drivers often rely on unhealthy food available at truck stops and roadside stores. Instruct your drivers to plan a healthy diet, which is extremely important to maintain physical health and eliminate unwanted physical discomfort.
3. Conduct sessions with the drivers on how a better lifestyle and alert driving can reduce the risk of accidents and health problems.
4. Ensure preventive maintenance of all vehicles to avoid unexpected troubles, such as brake failures, sputtering engines, dead battery, flat tires and so on.
5. Last but not the least, work schedules should be made more humane for the drivers. Driving for super long distances can be hard on anyone’s physical health. It is best to have two drivers to maintain a balance when transporting goods to far off places.
Road safety is always a result of how fit the driver is, says an article on Biz Community. Therefore, it is crucial to train the drivers to be alert, aware and be quick to react to unexpected road situations to prevent delay of goods in transit. In addition, using a robust courier dispatch management solution can help with dynamic route optimization to minimize idle times, time wasted in traffic snarls and overall cost reduction.
