Risk & Business Magazine JGS Insurance Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 25

DRIVER TRAINING
Effective Driver Training
C
ommercial vehicle fleets,
whether large or small, can
benefit from implementing fleet
safety programs to keep their
drivers safe and prevent crashes
while on the road. Reducing the number
and frequency of accidents will have a
positive impact on a company’s profits and
drivers’ safety.
Driver safety programs can be efficiently
implemented at a reasonable cost through
multiple resources such as newsletters,
online training, safety meetings,
telematics and motor vehicle record (MVR)
reviews. However you must manage and
communicate program goals to shift
attitudes and in turn, behavior.
Key components of an effective safety
program are timeliness and repetitiveness.
This is not an investment that is one-and-
done. Ongoing reminders, as well as an
occasional refresher course go a long way
toward making driver safety a priority.
Here are some topics that should be
included in every safety training program:
Dealing with Driver Fatigue: Every driver
has experienced the toll that extended
driving time takes on performance and
alertness. Fleet drivers who drive long
hours are well aware that fatigue can be
fatal. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) has established
that after seven hours of driving, the
frequency of accidents increases
dramatically.
Some precautions that a driver can take to
mitigate fatigue include the following:
•
•
Avoid driving a vehicle when ill, tired
or when driving capacity is not 100
percent.
Avoid drug and alcohol use at all
times. Keep in mind prescription
medications can impair one’s ability to
drive safely.
•
Fatigue comes on quickly. Drivers
need to get off the road as soon as they
notice drowsiness or sleepiness and
rest until they feel they can safely be
on the road again.
Backing a Vehicle: This can be a slow,
tedious, and often dangerous procedure.
Avoid backing a vehicle whenever possible.
When parking find a spot that allows you
to pull out going forward.
Courteous and Defensive Driving: Good
drivers understand the importance of
demonstrating courtesy and a defensive-
driving attitude. They know giving a little
ground and yielding the right of way, even
when it belongs to you, is important in
avoiding accidents. Bullheadedness and
a “me-first attitude” have no place in safe
driving.
Defensive driving is about being proactive
on the road by identifying conditions that
could lead to accidents. A driver needs
to accurately anticipate the outcome of
traffic situations, road conditions, and
other elements and actively apply defensive
driving techniques.
Roads and Weather: Adverse weather
conditions (snow, ice, wind, rain etc.)
can create double trouble. When driving
under normal circumstances, steep
hills, curves, and traffic congestion bring
enough difficulties. Wet roads and high
winds introduce another set of dangerous
situations. Proper vehicle maintenance is
a key component of fleet safety program
under any conditions. In adverse weather,
a poorly maintained vehicle can be a death
trap.
Safety precautions require the use of the
“three-point rule”. Three of your four limbs
need to be in contact with the vehicle at all
times. Two feet and an arm or two arms
and a foot are the basics of this rule. This
improves stability and support, reducing
the risk of slipping or falling.
This is just a sample of what a
comprehensive driver safety program
should include. JGS provides a full suite
of services to assist your company in
implementing an effective driver training
program. Get in touch with us today for a
personalized strategic plan.
BY: ERIC P. WOKAS, CSP ARM
RISK CONTROL CONSULTANT
JGS INSURANCE
Eric Wokas has over 25 years of experience
as a risk management consultant working
for various major property/casualty
insurance carriers including Continental,
Zurich and Gerling as well as Aon an
international
insurance
brokerage
firm. At JGS Insurance Eric continues
to assist clients in development and
implementation of practical solutions in
reducing risk.
The Three-Point Rule: Minor injuries
can cost the driver and the company a lot
in terms of lost income and downtime.
Drivers need to get in and out of tractor
cabs or trucks. In many cases they also
mount and dismount trailers. There are
plenty of opportunities for possible injury.
25