The old cliche “information is key” is highly relevant for businesses that manage a vast fleet of vehicles. Managers can’t personally oversee their drivers while on the road, so they rely heavily on the information they gather from telematics and other sources.
However, just having the information in your hands is not enough – what you do with it spells the difference between failure and success. This information is convenient when it comes to driver risk management. Your fleet’s two most important assets are your vehicles and your drivers. To protect them both, you must develop a system that allows you to detect possible risks and find solutions to manage them.
Develop a Driver Safety System for Your Company
Most fleets have their safety protocols for drivers, but most are based on general information provided by government bodies or industry standards. While obeying traffic rules, observing speed limits, and mandating set driver work hours are staples in every company’s safety rules and regulations, wouldn’t it be nice to develop policies based on information gathered from your drivers and vehicles?
A driver risk management information system could give you targeted information that may not apply to other companies. For example, maybe the data tells you that most of the accidents your drivers have been involved in were due to poor road conditions. This allows you to reduce road accidents for your fleet by plotting different driving routes and prohibiting drivers from taking certain roads.
Identify At-Risk Drivers Before Disaster Strikes
Many drivers look good on paper, but once they’re on the road, it’s a different story altogether. Some companies fail to detect risky driving behaviors until it’s too late because they don’t have a system that monitors driving behaviors regularly. With a risk management system, your system does not only store basic driver information such as name, age, and others; it also gives you daily, weekly, and even monthly trends on driving behaviors and safety violations.
Don’t wait until your drivers get into actual traffic accidents to see which ones are at risk. Use the data to pinpoint repeat offenders regarding overspeeding, hard braking, and other dangerous driving behaviors.
Stay Compliant with Safety Standards
Several government agencies regulate fleets to ensure compliance with safety standards. A driver risk management system means you’ll have documented proof of driver safety evaluations, action recommendations, and training performed. This is more than enough evidence to show the relevant agencies that you are doing your part as a fleet owner to follow the law.
Identify Situational Risks Outside of Driver Behavior
When drivers hear about driver risk management systems, they automatically think it’s a system built to keep them in line and expose their mistakes. However, the system can also work in favor of drivers. All too often, drivers are blamed for safety lapses and traffic accidents, but the system can also reveal if any situational risks acquit them of wrongdoing.
Read Also: Risk Assessment Matrix; What it is & How to Use it Effectively
For example, an accident at first glance may seem like the driver’s fault, but based on your risk management system, you may discover that the accident was caused by faulty vehicles or terrible weather conditions.
Read Also: 8 Important Qualitative Risk Analysis Methods
There are more benefits to driver risk management than the ones we mentioned above. To access all these benefits and more, all you have to do is invest in a risk management information system for your business. Not only does it help you protect your vehicles and your drivers, but it also keeps your business compliant with the law and gives you valuable information that can help you grow your business in the long term.
Related Posts
Drivers Need a Space Management System Because?
Right Of Way; What Drivers Must Know
4 Tips For Driving Safely as a Truck Driver
Safety Inspection For Cars: 11 Personal Daily Routine Checks
What Is Distracted Driving: Causes and Ways to Manage it
41 Safe Driving Tips You Must Apply While Driving