Well-managed commercial vehicle fleets help businesses keep up with their competition and realize their potential. The fleet’s drivers are vital resources needed to meet deadlines, transport assets, and inventory, and keep customers satisfied.
Invest in Maximum Insurance
Maximum levels of vehicle and driver insurance are prudent. For commercial fleets, basic vehicle and driver liability plans are insufficient. Any successful fleet operation must protect its drivers in the event of accidents, collisions, and natural disasters. State laws govern Workers’ Comp premiums, liabilities, and payouts. As these vary, drivers will feel more secure and motivated when they know their Workers’ Comp is padded by employer investment in prime insurance coverage.
A Freshly-Serviced Fleet
Employees will enjoy working around shiny, polished, and noise-free vehicles that they can be proud of. Clean and attractive vehicles not only boost employee morale, they give customers and partners trust in a business’ attention to detail. Noisy exhausts, rust, and corrosion on the vehicle exterior signal age and poor maintenance of its interior mechanics. No vehicle and driver look good pulling up to businesses or customers with such apparent signs of neglect.
Superior Emissions
Drivers accept risks of exposure to gas and diesel fumes, but these may be minimized. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act requires vehicle manufacturers to achieve certification in federal emission standards. Commercial vehicle fleet managers must demand vehicle manufacturers have a documented record of this certification and never do business with them without it. Maintaining a green fleet keeps a business environmentally friendly and respectful of other motorists.
Promote Rest
Stressed, tired drivers are more likely to be unfriendly to customers and unsafe around fellow motorists. Long drives and tough arrival deadlines can put a lot of stress on drivers. Alert and rested drivers do better under this pressure than those who are overworked and fatigued. Even when demand is high, ban or limit driver overtime. Make and stick to drive schedules. Maintain a comfortable, on-site quiet room for drivers to nap in. If necessary, hire more drivers during peak seasons.
Keep Up With Technology
Businesses should upgrade their fleet for the latest technology considerations. While it is against the law to practice any form of distracted driving, drivers should take breaks to rest, refresh, and check on family and personal matters. From casual conversation to arrival confirmations, drivers must communicate often. Help them do so safely with device-friendly consoles, dashboard mounts, and high definition video and audio GPS systems.
Businesses can apply these driver retention strategies to fleets with high or medium-duty trucks, vans, luxury sedans, and even specialty construction equipment. Doing so will benefit their vehicles and drivers, for a positive atmosphere employees want to stick around in.
