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Summer tips for safer fleets

June is National Safety Month, and while it is the official start of the summer season it also includes the most dangerous driving days of the year.

Here are some tips to help you keep your fleet safe on the road this month and support your drivers all year long.

Focus on speeding

Research shows that speed is a leading cause of accidents, and we know that drivers who observe the speed limit will naturally have fewer accidents.

In 2020, speeding contributed to 29 percent of all traffic fatalities on America’s roads. In addition to the increased risks of injuries and accidents, speeding can also lead to tickets and violations, higher fuel use, and increased wear and tear on your fleet.

Having an understanding of when, where and how often drivers are speeding can help with training. HDVI’s Fleet Services team meets with fleets on a monthly basis to identify trends and patterns that could lead to unnecessary speeding.

Reduce distracted driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 3,100 people were killed in 2020 in accidents caused by distracted driving.

Distracted driving is not just talking on the phone, however. Drivers are distracted in many ways: Eating and drinking, entering an address into a GPS, or even being frustrated by a shipper taking their minds off the road.

Distractions on the roads are more common now than ever. Fortunately, technology has advanced to the point where motor carriers can curb the distractions in their cab. This technology is designed to help improve driver habits and ultimately save lives. One way to do that is in-cab dash cameras with artificial intelligence (AI) that can help detect events such as distracted and fatigued driving.

Fleets can use this insight to coach drivers and modify behavior proactively. Another benefit of the AI is that drivers can rest assured that the cameras are not there to watch them, and fleets don’t typically need to view in-cab cameras unless there is a safety event.

Those back in the office can help reduce distracted driving, as well. Train your dispatchers and office staff to only call drivers when they are in an On- or Off-Duty status.

Preventing distracted driving is not only in the best interest of the fleet. Drivers can be personally held liable if they are involved in a crash while they are distracted. 

Improve safety coaching

Your existing in-cab technology such as dashcams and ELDs can provide helpful insights into driver behavior and fleet safety. At HDVI, we’ll pair you with a Fleet Services rep who can help you get the most out of your safety data and take your driver coaching to the next level – all at no cost to you.

Your HDVI rep will offer hands-on support and deliver personalized, easy-to-understand reports that include driver-specific summaries that map risk zones and outline specific areas for improvement. 

Reward safe driving behaviors

Make your drivers active participants in your fleet’s advanced safety programs. Many fleets offer drivers rewards or recognition programs that give them an incentive to travel safer—avoiding potential hazards like speeding, hard braking and distracted driving. Dashcams and ELD reports are used to track and score driver performance, with raffles, drawings or bonuses available to those drivers who meet or exceed advanced levels of on-the-road safety. HDVI can help you establish a program for your fleet, or manage your existing program to encourage your drivers to participate.

Contact HDVI today to learn more about how to help your fleet drive more safely – this month and every month!