For many, the concept of driving is second nature, and one of modern life’s most fundamental skills. Even the most experienced truck drivers are not invulnerable to hazards on the road, however, so in order to run a successful, stress-free trucking business, steps must be taken in order to ensure their safety. Whatever the size your trucking business happens to be, striving to put the safety of your employees first should always be at the top of the agenda.

If you feel as though you could be doing more to reduce the risk of harm to your drivers, or streamline your fleet operations, here are some important points to consider.

Monitoring

The process of reducing risk is one that requires a consistent approach, as there is no one method that fits every requirement. Implementing technology to help monitor your drivers throughout their journey can be beneficial for a host of reasons, including route optimization and safety. Transport companies such as CSA Transportation provide online tracking and live delivery status so that the management and customer are always up to date about the freight. You could read more about it on their website or other blogs related to transport monitoring.

These policies come in handy in the event of an accident that causes significant damage to the vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing a vehicle that has been damaged or lost due to non-driving issues. This may also cover medical expenses for your drivers in the event of an accident, regardless of fault. As a result, if you own a truck company and have not yet obtained truck insurance, you may want to contact a Specialist truck insurance broker who can give you the right quote for the policy you might be looking for. Otherwise, it could have serious consequences in terms of extra costs that you may have to incur in the event of an emergency. However, you might need to show concrete proof of the accident to successfully claim the amount.

Therefore, you might want to consider making use of reliable fleet dash cam solutions, which can help you keep track of your drivers in real-time.

In the event that an accident did occur, the owner can provide evidence in a court of law, be used as a training aid for drivers, and help protect employees should they need to make an insurance claim.

Truck Maintenance

The level of safety across your entire fleet is perhaps as much about the quality of the vehicle itself as it is the driving skills of your employees.

Without sufficient vehicle maintenance, there is every chance your driver will need to deal with breakdowns, blowouts and a lack of functionality, all incredibly dangerous factors when faced with a journey of any kind.

Regular vehicle maintenance is absolutely essential in protecting your drivers to the best of your ability at all times.

This is an area where software integration can greatly help. By using AI solutions, you can start to closely monitor the durability levels of your trucks. This might include the fluid levels in the engine, the efficiency of the electronics system and the quality of the tires.

Taking Breaks

Long journeys can take their toll on drivers, and without regular rest breaks, this can result in dire consequences, for not only the driver, but for other road users in general.

Regular breaks are a must-have if you want to start minimizing risk effectively. This should be adhered to in order to put health and safety above all else.

Training/Up-skilling

To make sure your drivers know exactly how to deal with dangerous situations and keep their journey free of distraction, it is important to check in on their training from time to time.

Up-skilling is a great way to ensure that your fleet is using the latest safety methods and is not falling behind from the use of outdated procedures.