The Safety Advantage (Part 2 of 4)

Drivers as the First Vital Key to a Safety Culture

The first post in our Fleet Safety Series explored why safety is more than a moral imperative — it’s a business necessity. Now, we turn to where a true safety program begins: within a company’s culture. A successful transportation program must be built on a foundation that promotes safety within a company’s overall culture. It’s a fact that everyone benefits when safety becomes deeply embedded within organizations and permeates strategy, policy, practices, and culture. The positive effects are far-reaching.

According to Forbes, “a company’s commitment to safety-focused retention strategies can result in a substantial reduction in costs, better regulatory compliance, improved operational efficiency and the creation of an environment that fosters sustainable growth.”

Why culture matters

Safety protocols are closely associated with operational efficiency. A well-maintained fleet, skilled drivers, and streamlined safety processes can improve productivity and reduce downtime due to accidents or mechanical failures. Fleets that train drivers on safety inspections, route planning, and GPS utilization can achieve reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, higher asset utilization, and greater regulatory compliance. These efficiencies support a positive work culture that benefits both truckers and shippers.

A culture that prioritizes safety can only be achieved by the proper backing from executive leadership. It has to start at the top. Executives at the American Trucking Associations’ 2023 Management Conference & Exhibition discussed the key pillars of a safety-first culture and the importance of strategies coming from leadership. “Safety permeates everything,” states Dan Murray of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). “You’re not going to have investments in safety until the culture changes from the top all the way to the bottom.”

In this post, we’ll be talking about the heart and soul of that culture — your drivers. They’re the ones who bring safety policies to life every time they get behind the wheel. The right training, support, and communication empower drivers to make smart, split-second decisions that protect themselves, their cargo, and your brand.

What Are the Core Parts of a Well-Rounded Driver Safety Program?

Fleets that continuously promote safety through education programs and training create a culture of safety within organizations. Emphasizing driver safety is a visible sign of caring about employees. New risks and threats are neverending in trucking and new technologies for enhancing safety are constantly being introduced. Formal training programs to develop skills, correct habits and enhance the well-being of drivers are an important investment that has ROI. The best programs are company-specific, supporting a company’s unique commitment to safety and tying safety to a company’s overall mission. Some of the core features of safety programs include:

Route familiarization

The practice of route familiarization involves comprehensive training for drivers and operators aimed at deepening understanding of assigned routes. This includes detailed mapping of roads and in-depth analysis of potential road hazards, traffic congestion, and weather events. Training in alternate routes equips drivers to safely navigate around disruptions in order to complete deliveries and safeguard freight. Training extends to the dock and yard to mitigate potential risks and support safe pickups and deliveries.

Customer service training

Dedicated fleet providers and their drivers become an extension of an organization, its brand, and often, a common face to customers. Safe driving is the first requirement of customer service. Training equips drivers with the skills necessary to fulfill routine and unique delivery requirements, emphasizing the importance of courteous communication and the protocols necessary to safely and professionally resolve any service-related issues.

Emergency response training

Emergency response training helps support the safety of drivers and the public, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills to effectively manage unforeseen incidents on the road. Drivers learn how to swiftly engage emergency services and may participate in simulation-based training on real-life scenarios that prepare them for a wide range of emergency situations.

Technology and equipment training

Technology tools enable drivers to optimize their routes, monitor vehicle performance, and ensure accurate tracking of hours of service. Drivers trained on how to use these tools are better able to adhere to safety protocols and achieve compliance standards.

Specialized load training

This aspect of driver education focuses on securing freight. For example, drivers are trained in specific securement techniques to prevent freight movement and weight hazards. For flatbed haulers, learning to apply tarps and tie-downs to secure a variety of freight is essential for safely transporting cargo and ensuring it arrives at its destination undamaged.

Continuous education

It’s critical to provide drivers with updates on legislative changes, technology advancements and new best practices aimed at enhancing safety performance. Digital learning platforms, in-person workshops, hands-on training, regular newsletters or bulletins, and direct interaction with industry experts are all important methods for continuously refreshing safety knowledge and the skills of drivers and entire fleets.

Driver wellness resources

In the hard-charging world of trucking, things like sleep, diet and exercise can easily be seen as luxuries. That is far from the truth. Adequate sleep has a direct bearing on road safety. Diet and exercise and other factors are strongly tied to mental health–a major issue for truckers who experience some of the highest stress levels of any industry. Teaching healthy habits and techniques for dealing with stress helps protect fleets’ valuable driver pool and keeps them functioning at their highest levels. Companies that promote driver well-being create workplaces drivers want to remain in which supports retention numbers.

Hazmat training

Hazardous materials training is required for transporting freight that poses a risk of dangerous fumes, fire, chemical burns or radiation. Because hazmat drivers transport materials that pose threats to large populations and surrounding environments, carriers invest in continuous training for drivers, operations teams and managers. Teams need to stay up on new regulations, technologies and best practices for hauling hazmat. Drivers must pass a knowledge test to attain a hazmat endorsement (Code H) for their commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Regulated commodities training

Drivers transporting goods like alcohol that require permits, must be trained in the unique requirements and regulations governing the freight. This includes understanding the legal requirements for transporting regulated commodities across state lines or international borders, as well as any restrictions or documentation necessary for compliance. By having a thorough understanding of permit requirements and regulations, drivers can ensure legal compliance and smooth transportation of cargo which minimizes the risk of fines, delays, or other legal consequences.

“In the Moment” skills training

This type of training involves providing drivers with real-time guidance and support to address immediate challenges or situations encountered. Whether it’s navigating through inclement weather, handling unexpected road hazards, or dealing with mechanical issues, “in the moment” training provides drivers with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. This training emphasizes proactive measures that can be taken to mitigate risks and prevent accidents before they occur.

Compliance training

Clarity and understanding supports outstanding compliance on relevant regulations, including federal guidelines such as hours of service (HOS) regulations, Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, and any specific policies set forth by the dedicated fleet provider and the shipper. This training educates drivers on the significance of adhering to all regulations, understanding that accidents resulting from any regulatory compliance breach can lead to increased errors, costs and legal ramifications. Compliance education ensures drivers understand and follow all HOS, DOT, and company regulations. Leadership training involves managers and teams to create alignment across departments and reinforce safety accountability.

Safety and sustainability awareness

It’s important to inform drivers how safe driving practices contribute to fuel efficiency and reduced emissions that minimize the environmental footprint of trucking operations. Fleets that train their drivers to maintain an optimal and consistent speed and avoid aggressive behavior, such as rapid acceleration or braking, help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Reducing idling time also reduces harmful NOx fumes from pooling around facilities while also reducing the amount of GHG released into the environment.

Management and Leadership Training

To build a culture of safety, organizational leaders need to be educated — as well as drivers. The best training programs include all stakeholders to amplify organizational voices, train more personnel and departments, mitigate future issues, and ensure all are working towards shared goals. It’s a team effort. Drivers benefit from the support of the organization and shouldn’t be left on their own to maintain skills and stay up-to-date. Safety and safety training cannot be the sole responsibility of the safety team–fleet operations must also be involved.

Conclusion

Drivers are the heart of a safety-first culture — trained, supported, and empowered to make smart choices on the road. But even the most skilled driver can’t overcome unsafe equipment. Safety behind the wheel depends on what’s under the hood.

Don’t wait for a wake-up call. Next up in our Fleet Safety Series, we’ll look at how disciplined inspections and preventive maintenance protect drivers, your cargo — and the bottom line.

For a complete analysis of the role safety plays, download our white paper: The Safety Advantage: Policies and Practices Driving Leading-Edge Fleets.