Integrating driver training into your fleet management protocols is crucial for optimising your operations’ safety and efficiency and reducing incidents, the associated costs and disruption to services. While all fleets seek to improve safety, it’s essential to recognise the key role that driver training plays. But what steps are necessary to ensure that it is effective and delivers the full range of benefits?
It’s crucial not to overlook the importance of driver training, especially in roles where driving is not the primary task. For instance, an engineer, a housing maintenance specialist, or someone involved in infrastructure services may be highly skilled in their core tasks but also required to drive. Statistically, this dual role poses a greater risk for the organisation, making comprehensive driver training necessary.
As a starting point, you should first review all incident reporting data for at least the previous 12 months, which will allow for the analysis of seasonal variations. This review may demonstrate that some incidents have a common cause, and it may be possible to address the issue by emphasising a particular aspect of the training regime.
Different departments have distinct schedules and face various challenges that affect driving and fleet activity. Therefore, it’s important to consider this when structuring and creating the content of any training programme.
Additionally, it’s vital to determine if any particular department is involved in more incidents than others and whether this is caused by the number of miles driven, operational environments, or unidentified pressures or challenges. These questions should be flagged for further discussion within those departments so that training can be applied to correct these areas of concern.
After a thorough review and consultation, it’s time to incorporate specific elements into your driver training programme. Key safe driving practices, such as avoiding speeding, distractions, and aggressive driving, need reinforcing. The training sessions should be engaging, beneficial, and aligned with the organisation’s goals. Recognising individual needs and tailoring the training to different experience levels, learning styles, and driver roles for maximum effectiveness is crucial.
Identifying specific drivers with issues is important. Drivers must be provided with full support that addresses the technicalities of any problem and any aspects of their well-being that may be affecting performance. This commitment to the team’s well-being is vital to a successful driver training programme.
The success of any programme needs to be measured, which can be achieved through telematics data and regular engagement with drivers. Progress can be identified and rewarded, and persistent problems can be addressed.
Demonstrating that you have a successful driver training programme will positively affect several key areas. Proof that it has resulted in reduced incidents will count towards securing an organisation’s corporate reputation and could mean reduced insurance premiums. Fleets can also demonstrate robust legal compliance and regulations, showing that all reasonable steps have been taken to avoid incidents.
You may have in-house driver training facilities, but if not, there are numerous high-quality corporate driver training providers. Depending on several factors, your driver training needs may be complex; therefore, the complete solution may not be available from a single provider. However, it is possible to structure a coherent programme that utilises more than one training specialist and delivers a highly successful outcome that significantly helps to optimise fleet safety, reduce costs and operational disruption, and secure corporate reputation.
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