Tag Archive for: safety training

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Speeding Tickets Jump Drastically during COVID-19

A Speeding ticket is more than just a Fine.

If you asked 100 truck drivers what their dream highway looked like, you would likely get the same answer across the board: Decreased commuter traffic.

Many truck drivers have gotten their wish as commuters have been encouraged to shelter in place and work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Complying with social distancing rules may have cleared up traffic, but free and open highways give truck drivers little wiggle room.

How does speeding affect your CDL

A moving violation can have a severe impact on your driving record. The consequences vary in severity depending on how often and what kind of ticket you get.

Speed limits are not included in the FMSCA waivers issued in the emergency declarations. Drivers hauling emergency goods will still be assigned CSA points if they are caught speeding.

A truck driver’s safety record is measured by a federal regulatory point system called CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability). Infractions are based on a point system; The worse the violation, the more points are given to the driver. A driver that has been issued more violations will have a higher CSA score.

For example, a driver who is given a ticket for 6-10 mph over the speed limit will also receive 4 CSA points. If a driver is caught speeding 11-14 mph over, 7 CSA points will be assigned. And for drivers clocking in at 15+ mph or in a construction zone, 10 points will be tacked on to their CSA score.

Speeding tickets can even affect your license when you are off duty. Multiple citations in a personal vehicle can lead to suspension or revocation of a CDL.

Trucking companies who utilize safety monitoring systems have a duty to reprimand drivers even if no ticket was issued. Reckless driving, even without a citation, means you are putting your life, your career, and the safety of others at risk.

More speeding tickets

Reports in California show that even though traffic volume has decreased 35%, citations for excessive speed have skyrocketed at an alarming rate.

Empty highways created a false sense of security, not only for truck drivers, for four-wheelers too. It seems safer to drive at excessive speeds when there is less congestion.

 “Higher speeds can lead to much more serious injuries and significantly increase the chance of death should a crash occur.” – CHP Commissioner Warren Stanly

With everything a truck driver has to lose, why do they do it?

The Heat is On for Truck Drivers

For most truck drivers, getting paid by the mile means the more you move, the more you make. Drivers who cover more ground in a given week bring home extra money. A per-mile rate of pay is incentive enough for some drivers to put the pedal to the metal.

On top of that, truck drivers build their reputations on whether they can pick up and deliver on time. A driver can plan a trip down with plenty of time to spare, but one traffic jam or work zone can throw the whole thing off-kilter.

The pressure is especially intense during the pandemic. Truck drivers focus on delivering basic needs to consumers as quickly as possible.

For a truck driver, a speeding ticket is not just an inconvenience or a fine. It could mean losing their job or even their license. Multiple traffic violations make it more difficult for truckers to find work.

A clean driving record is a hiring requirement for reputable trucking companies. A driver with heavy boots will be at a disadvantage if they find themselves back in the job market. Keep these things in mind every time you hit the road:

  • – Always comply with traffic laws.
  • – Keep an eye open for speed changes.
  • – Be alert in work zones.
  • – Plan your trips with extra time.
  • – Slow down for curves.
  • – Anticipate downgrades.

As the economy regains equilibrium, so will the roadways. Civilians will begin commuting back and forth to work, to church, shopping, etc. Remember, the rules of the road do not disappear and reappear with the flow of traffic. Always keep your safety and the safety of others on the top of your mind.

 

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Work Zone Ahead – We’re in it Together

National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW)

NWZAW is a nationwide effort between state DOTs, road safety organizations, government agencies and private companies like Infinit-I Workforce Solutions. Its purpose is to bring safety to the forefront of your mind, especially when you encounter work zones.

Why is it important?

Everyone has experienced driving down the highway on a beautiful spring morning, trying to make the best of your commute. The air is crisp, the sun is shining. You turn up the radio as you watch the trees dance in the wind. You were so distracted by the passing landscape that you didn’t notice flashing lights warning of construction ahead.

And BOOM! Stop and go traffic.

The heavier the vehicle, the longer it takes to stop. Hopefully you became aware of the situation before rear ending the stopped car in front of you. And hopefully you didn’t lock up your breaks trying to avoid a collision.

A scenario like this is the reason National Work Zone Awareness week has become so significant. Accidents can happen in an instant, without warning. And some have found themselves staring at a busted windshield and deployed airbag before they ever even knew what was happening.

It is easy to become complacent when you travel the same route often. Muscle memory takes over and our brains filter out details of little significance. You might even find yourself at your destination with no recollection of getting there.

Sometimes, however, a new work zone can pop up overnight.  Some might reroute traffic and close lanes, making the roads we often travel unfamiliar. The annual campaign takes place in early spring, when road construction activities are at their highest. The goal is to make all drivers aware of the need for elevated caution in areas of road work.

Who does it affect?

The answer is simple. It affects every single person on the roadway: Professional drivers, commuters, motorcyclists, pedestrians, construction workers.

Construction workers?  Absolutely. Road workers put themselves in harm’s way performing necessary road work. They are especially vulnerable to work zone crashes because they do not have the protection of a vehicle.

How are truckers impacted?

Always pay close attention to speed limit changes. A traffic violation in a construction zone will have a huge impact on your CSA score. It is one of the most severe infractions. Not only will your traffic fine be doubled (in most states), speeding will also earn you 10 CSA points.

The likelihood of a trucker being involved in a fatal crash is higher than most civilian drivers simply because of the amount of time they spend behind the wheel. In 2018, 34% of fatal work zone related crashes involved the death of a professional driver.

How often do you perform these common causes of work zone accidents?

  • – Improper following distance
  • – Distraction or inattention
  • – Failure to use “lean and look” method when merging
  • – Excessive speed
  • – Ignoring blind spots

Safe drivers always make it a habit to be aware of their surroundings, especially in work zones. Traffic patterns can change instantly. Cars and trucks speed up and slow down with the flow of others. Commuters tend to become impatient and can begin driving erratically.

“Confusion, frustration, merging/distracted four-wheelers, speed limit changes, narrow lanes, and hundreds of attorneys hoping you make a mistake. Work zones are dangerous, it’s that simple.”

-Mark Rhea, President Lisa Motor Lines

In 2017, there were 18,000 work zone crashes that involved a tractor trailer. These resulted in about 4,000 serious injuries. About 25% of those injuries involved a pedestrian or construction worker.

Always treat work zones as if there are workers present. Just because you don’t immediately see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Keep these best practices in mind every time you take off:

  • – Slow down and use the right lane when possible.
  • – Use hazard lights so the traffic behind you knows there is a slowdown ahead.
  • – Be careful of bottlenecks, drivers tend to cut in line at the last second.
  • – Focus – Keep your eyes on the road but be aware of peripheral action.
  • – Do not become distracted by phones or ELDs. It can wait!
  • – Pre-plan so you are familiar with your route.
  • – Perform a thorough Pre-trip inspection, ensure your tractor trailer is safe to operate.
  • – Expect the unexpected – always.

For more best practices from the DOT, click here.

How can I participate?

  • – Start the conversation with truck drivers, construction workers, and dispatchers you know. National Work Zone Awareness Week intends to spread awareness across the nation. Learn more at NWZAW.org.
  • – Wear orange on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. It acts as a visible reminder and shows support for families who have lost loved ones in work zone crashes.
  • – Slow down. Delivering your freight intact is just as important as delivering on time. No load is worth your life or the lives of others.
  • – Refresh yourself on your safety training. In the event of an accident, always follow your company’s accident protocol.

Remember, we are all in this together. Sharing the road means sharing the responsibility of each other’s safety.

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Insurance – COVID-19 impacts Premiums and Renewals

The financial effect of the Coronavirus pandemic has been widespread among the citizens and businesses of the United States. As many people are being temporarily laid off, the economy has taken a swift downturn. Most people are only purchasing essentials.

Many businesses have been forced to close their doors because of the loss of revenue. Some may be closed for good.

Are you covered?

Let’s take a look at how the trucking industry will be affected by insurance costs after the national emergency.

Trucking companies may resort to cutting costs to recover from the economic slowdown we have experienced over the last several months. They must be careful, however, as some cost cutting measures could lead to diminished safety for their drivers. Decreasing staff could mean that drivers will have to run longer hours, leading to frequent driver fatigue.

It will also put more wear and tear on the trucks and trailers. There might even be delays in installing safety technologies like in-cab cameras or online training. These situations bring about increased claim activity.

How does that affect your company?

Insurance companies have to maintain a delicate balance between inflow of premiums and what claims they can afford to pay out. Just like in the trucking industry, if that balance is interrupted, the company has to adapt to stay afloat.

Insurance companies will experience changes in their loss ratio, which means will be paying out more than usual in relation to the premiums they receive. Those covered might see an increase in premiums and renewal costs as insurance companies try to recover from the additional losses.

If the loss ratio changes too drastically, underwriters may begin performing risk assessments on existing clients. They will be very selective about who they choose to take on as insureds. It may be difficult to find coverage for companies with a higher risk for accidents/incidents.

Underwriters are already cautious about making decisions when it comes to premiums, coverage, and renewals. The COVID-19 situation can have a serious effect on their current insurable metrics. Future determining factors are likely to include conditions to coverage based on in-cab cameras, safety culture, and availability of online training.

Responsible carriers will actively manage their risks. Investing in safety is the only way to win. Carriers who cut back on safety efforts to save money are setting themselves up for failure. Insurance providers may have to resort to raising their premiums or charging a higher down payment.

How should you respond?

Communicate your efforts with your current insurance partner. Let them know you have a plan on how to survive during the crisis. Include that you are focused on safety. Even though there are social distancing requirements right now, your safety training cannot be put on hold.

Find ways to adapt to the situation if safety remains a big concern. Technology allows safety training to be delivered directly to your drivers, wherever they are, through an online platform. Your current insurers will keep that in mind when performing your risk assessments.

While it is important for your insurer to be aware of the safety measures you are taking, it is just as important for your drivers. They will enjoy the convenience of taking online orientation, remote training, and monthly training classes from anywhere. And employers can retain their peace of mind knowing they are still focused on safety, even during trying times.

What factors affect a risk assessment?

Risk assessment factors usually fall into these two categories:

  • Tangible – things that are quantifiable such as loss run, miles, commodities, CSA scores, etc.
  • Intangible – things that are difficult to measure like company culture, awareness training, technology usage, security, etc.

What might a loss control professional ask about the intangibles?

Intangibles are difficult to measure. The amount you are charged will be up to your insurer’s discretion. Your best bet is to be prepared and make sure your drivers and employees are up to date on safety training. To give you an idea, here are some questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic they might ask:

  • Did you continue safety training through the pandemic?
  • How did social distancing requirements affect your orientations?
  • How did you lead safety efforts working remotely?
  • How did you help your drivers through this time?
  • How did you manage the waivers issued by the DOT and FMCSA?

Make sure you retain records of everything provided to every driver. The only way to prove that your company has a solid focus on safety is to have documented records. The documentation should be readily available in case you need to show that all drivers are adhering to your policies.

Are we at risk of losing our business due to insurance coverage issues?

Short answer: yes.

There are many examples of trucking companies hanging up their keys because of insurance costs. If premiums increase too drastically, it can become impossible to remain operational. Here are a couple of examples of that happening:

  • Carney Trucking – Insurance premiums doubled for this flatbed carrier. They had to close their doors after 27 years in business.
  • 101 Transport – This Wisconsin based carrier ceased operations after a 70% increase in premiums.

Is there anything I can do to protect my company?

Yes. That’s the good news! As always, be proactive in managing your risk. Your insurance broker needs to see your safety-focused efforts.

Remember that if it isn’t written down, it didn’t happen.

Always keep a record of what training was performed, when it was performed, and make sure your drivers sign everything. For years, “billboard attorneys” have been attacking the trucking industry, encouraging the general public to sue truckers.

And they are ruthless when it comes to safety.

During the pandemic, truckers have been running with relaxed regulations when carrying designated items. If an incident were to occur while a driver is over normal hours, a lawyer might view this as preventative. They could say the driver was negligent and possibly fatigued because he isn’t used to this much road time.

Document everything!

In case of litigation, your best defense is proving your company’s focus on safety. Always be proactive with your safety training and awareness programs. Make sure your drivers are familiar with all your policies (drug/alcohol testing, incident reporting, etc.).

Most importantly, you must be able to prove they have been provided with proper safety training and equipment. Eliminate all reasonable doubt. Carriers need to focus on documenting training and information exchange, especially for upcoming insurance renewals.

Let’s say it again: If it isn’t written down, it didn’t happen.

 

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Pre-planning During a National Pandemic

Safety First – Prepare for Inspection

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, E-Commerce usage has increased as the desire for social interaction has decreased. Standard operating hours are becoming a rarity as businesses are operating with a decreased workforce. Pre-planning is no longer simply about your origin and destination. Because of the widespread panic caused by the Coronavirus, now you must be prepared for closures, availability of food, and whether you’re at risk for cross-contamination.

Shippers and Receivers

Warehouse operations may have to restrict their hours as not to overwork their healthy employees. Whether or not warehouses will change their operational hours from their normal operating hours will depend on many factors:

  • Location– Is the warehouse located in an area with a dense population of people affected by COVID-19?
  • Category of Industry – Does the warehouse contain emergency or non-emergency related inventory?
  • Global Operations – May be difficult to maintain inventory if the majority of stock comes from overseas

So, what should a professional driver do if their shipper or receiver is temporarily closed?  

  1. Contact your dispatcher or fleet manager. There could be internal communication circulating about the location you are questioning.
  2. Be prepared to wait. If your shipper or receiver is operating under reduced hours or with a reduced workforce, they are likely offering detention pay for the time you have to wait.
  3. Be patient. Even though professional drivers are the heartbeat of logistics, it can take time for the flow of communication to reach you.
  4. Keep your eyes on the prize. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about trucking is waiting to be advised on what to do. Be productive while you wait. Spend your down time catching up on paperwork or watching safety videos.

Don’t forget about these!

Breakdowns and Parking

When pre-planning your trip, always keep in mind which truck stops exist along your route. Some may have shops that are closed or operating with a short staff. While it is difficult to predict when a breakdown will occur, it is important to be mindful of your options.

Know how far you will go and where you will park before you start driving for the day. Many states have closed rest areas in an attempt to stop the state-to-state spread of the Coronavirus.  If you have a favorite truck stop in your destination city, call ahead to reserve parking. If you can’t find parking at a truck stop or rest area, operate your vehicle to the nearest safe haven instead of parking on the side of the road or other dangerous areas. Remember that even though we are facing new challenges, your safety is still of the utmost importance.

Don’t get stuck without food

Many safety managers suggest it is always a good idea for drivers to keep a case of water and extra snacks in their cab in case of detention. The recent pandemic and nationwide shutdowns prove just how lifesaving this practice can be. Fast food restaurants across the nation have had to reduce their operations to drive-thru only, and are now inaccessible to those in a tractor trailer.

The next time you are in a grocery or convenience store, look for food goods that will sustain you but also have a long shelf life such as protein bars and/or beef jerky. This will ensure that you have something to keep you going if there are no dining options available.

Cross-Contamination

Professional drivers are encouraged to limit exposure to contaminants during the COVID-19 outbreak. But for a truck driver, life on the road means encountering many publicly accessed locations in their daily routine. Drivers are at a high risk of cross contamination as a hazard of the job from the fuel pump, to the communal shower knob, to their money back that has changed many hands.

The cab of a tractor trailer is a breeding ground for the Coronavirus. Think of all the surfaces you touch throughout the day. How many times do you touch your seat belt, steering wheel, gear shifter, and knobs on a daily basis?

The Coronavirus can live on these surfaces for days without proper disinfection according to the CDC. Use disinfectants such as Clorox and Lysol products that kill bacteria to clean commonly touched surfaces.  There are many tips and tricks specifically for truck drivers in these videos.

Stay Safe

Your main focus over the next few weeks is simply to be prepared. Truck drivers should always pre-plan, stock up on food goods, and keep their truck and themselves clean. Your best chance at getting through the nationwide crisis unaffected is to keep these things on the top of your mind every day.

 

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6 Things Your Safety Documentation Needs to Succeed

How Reporting Reduces Insurance Costs and Litigation Risk for Transportation Firms

Are you ready for your next deposition? How about your next audit? No trucking company wants there to be a next deposition or audit. But you’ve got to prepare. What does your safety documentation need to succeed? Can you ensure it’s working for you at the critical moment?

Wearing Your Armor

Your business relies on reliable documentation. No matter how tough the situation, if you can prove you’ve done the right thing, it’s like wearing armor into battle. Without it, you’re literally going on a wing and a prayer.

Too often safety documentation is a chink in the armor. During a deposition, typically that’s what you’ll be asked for first: safety training documentation. If it’s not signed, dated, and complete, or you can’t find it, your safety and compliance efforts are non-existent in the eyes of the law. Because when it comes to DOT, OSHA, and the courtroom:

If it’s not signed, dated, or you can’t find it, it didn’t happen.

Fines, fees, court settlements, and lawsuits can leave you doling out tens of thousands to millions of dollars per year. 

And that’s just indirect costs. Indirect costs of losing a court case or doing poorly in an audit include:

  • • Higher insurance rates
  • • Getting flagged for additional audits
  • • Reputation as a high-risk company 
  • • Losing employees and clients
  • • “Unsatisfactory” rating shutting you down 
  • • “Conditional” rating giving you lots of extra work to do

Documentation can make or break a business. When confronted by an auditor or an attorney, this won’t make much of an impression:

  • • “It’s complicated running a business these days…”
  • • “Our drivers are hard to get hold of.”
  • • “We’ve had a tough year.”
  • • “We trained our drivers, but we’re having trouble pulling together the paperwork.”
  • • “I can’t show you our safety plan, but I promise we’ll do better.”

Only successful safety documentation will reliably protect you in the eyes of the law.

Your External Hard Drive

Think of safety documentation like an external hard drive to your valuable work computer. If the computer crashes, you’ve got a backup. When the unlooked-for occurs on the road, you’ve got a plan. It proves, in black and white, “I did the work.”

Look on any website for people looking to sue trucking companies, and you’ll realize how frequently trucking companies take shortcuts to their own detriment and don’t plan ahead. It’s hard to hear, but at this point, you could almost call this tendency common knowledge. That’s why proof of safety training and remediation is a good investigator’s first line of questioning. 

When you cut corners with safety, you’re not giving yourself much of a chance in the case of accidents, audits, and suits. But if you are working to improve, doing due diligence, and backing up your work with a reliable system, you’re on your way.

6 Things Safety Documentation Needs to Succeed

So what makes a safety documentation system reliable? 

1 – Consistency

Don’t put up with costly chinks in the armor. Successful safety documentation closes the gaps with a consistent system of signing, dating, filing, and retrieval. The method you use needs to work, and it needs to stay the same. You need to be able to collect 100% of the documents you need from 100% of drivers. This can be hard to do unless you go paperless. 

2 – Accuracy

Are the correct documents time-stamped for the right people? Can you easily decipher what’s written? You need to be positive that what you’re seeing is accurate, no matter other variables.  None of these should EVER affect the accuracy of documentation: 

  • • Handwriting
  • • How tidy or messy your office is
  • • Driver, dispatcher, or office employee turnover
  • • Whether you’re understaffed
  • • Honesty of drivers, dispatchers, or employees
  • • Leadership change

3 – Details, details

What time of day did Driver X complete the remediation series? What training did you send out on March 23, 2019? What topics did you include in every training on distracted driving you required between January and June? Can you answer questions like that for every driver and every training? You will face these kinds of questions.

4 – Integrity

Documents can’t be easily edited, changed, or created. This is pure accountability. If a lawyer can show that it’s possible to add to records, change scores, etc. in your system, no matter how honest you may know people to be, it’s a chink in the armor. They’ve got to be stored securely, so not even you can modify them.

5 – Accessibility

You’ve got all your paperwork. To the best of your knowledge, it’s accurate and secure. Now, do you know where it is? The key is secure and accessible. Documentation won’t do you much good if you can’t find it, or can only find part of it! It also needs to be easy to sort through and easy to read. 

6 – Retrievability

Finally, can you get to it quickly? An online, cloud-based training and documentation system can provide security, accessibility, and retrievability. Push a few buttons, and you have what OSHA, DOT, or the lawyers need in their hand. 

At Infinit-I Workforce Solutions, we believe in making life simple and safe. That is why we’ve developed a paperless safety documentation system tied with your safety training program. 

Once a training session is complete, it is: 

  • • Automatically dated
  • • Timestamped to the minute and second
  • • Held on a secure, 3rd-party server
  • • Part of an accessible, easy-to-read database

Every training you send — recorded. Every completed training — recorded. You will also see every training missed or refused. 

Our safety documentation is admissible in court and has helped our clients reduce fines and fees, impress at depositions, change CSA scores, and avoid the courtroom altogether. We are building an industry reputation. Research, real-world experience, and a world-class Client Success Team support our system.

Download our free whitepaper to learn more about how we’re building training partnerships, more secure businesses, and a stronger culture of safety in trucking.

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Implementing Driver Engagement Programs That Work

driver engagement programs

At the end of the day, a driver working is mainly about a good job and a paycheck. But what does a “good job” mean? The answer might surprise you. In this gig-economy, good relationships, and meaningful engagement at work are more of a premium than ever, especially if you want to attract younger drivers who are looking for a fulfilling experience on the job, as well as good pay. Find out how driver engagement programs can help your company stand out from the crowd.

What is an “engaged” driver?

An engaged driver wants to make the relationship work. Why? Because an engaged driver believes they have a part to play in your company. They don’t feel like a disposable spare part that can be easily ignored and replaced but like a team player.

An engaged driver knows:

  • • They have your ear when they need it
  • • You respect them in word and deed
  • • You acknowledge that they have a life outside of work
  • • You’re honest and fair about policy enforcement
  • • If they complain, something gets done

An engaged driver engages by:

  • • Listening/complying when you ask for something
  • • Giving their best
  • • Sticking around
  • • Keeping you in the loop
  • • Being willing to learn
  • • Saving you time, trouble, and money when they can

In other words:

Engaged drivers act like team players because they’re treated that way.

As in any job, drivers care about the company they work for! Everyone wants to care about what they do. It doesn’t matter how tough or old-school a driver looks or sounds; they care about relationships, the functionality of the business, and their ability to contribute—not just about the dollar.

What makes drivers disengage?

A lot of turnover stems from a lack of connection with the hiring company. Even if everything generally seems OK on the surface, drivers often feel that they’re left hanging. Why?

One thing that drivers have is time. And it can work against you. With all that windshield time, they can start thinking about a problem that started on Monday; if they’re still thinking about it by Wednesday with no communication, by Friday, they might quit. For you, it comes out of the blue. But for the driver, it’s been stewing a while, with no productive outlet or solution. The key is communication.

Molehills easily become mountains when you don’t offer an opportunity for engagement and feedback. Long-distance relationships are hard, and that’s what this is.

How does a driver-engagement program work?

Drivers with 30 years or more on the road will tell you they have a family at home, and a family on the road. Earn your part in that family, and you will gain loyal drivers.

Be honest about the job.

Your first impression should include a clear, honest, and thorough job description, not a fuzzy description that’s really a desperate plea for drivers. Set applicants up for success. Tell them what they’re getting into.

Find the right people.

Seek drivers who are a fit for the roles. If you use online training, you can send training to applicants to screen them. Find out right off who is detail-oriented, who cares about finding a good job, who’s willing to learn and comply, etc. When you make it easier to recruit top-quality drivers, you reduce turnover.

Set the tone in orientation.

Be top-quality, time-sensitive, relevant, organized, honest about the job, and give drivers a great start. Again, online training is a flexible tool for engagement. If you introduce required online training at this point, you already prove that you prioritize safety and keeping drivers on the road. You can also get a sense of a driver’s attitude and comfort level. You and the driver can both make sure it’s the right fit.

Make it easy to communicate.

Communication goes two ways. Drivers should be able to hear from you without hassle, and you from them. Your technology may need to be rebooted or streamlined, but making this a #1 priority makes you a highly desirable employer.

Some ways to make this work:

  • • Work on communication between drivers & managers/owners
  • • Work on the driver/dispatcher relationship
  • • Make training quicker, easier, and more mobile
  • • Improve driver-driver relationships through driver mentors and trainers
  • • Cut down on in-person meetings as much as possible
  • • Personalize official messages when you can (ex. “Great haul last month” or “Happy birthday!”)

Make it easy to pitch in.

Drivers can assist management in solving business problems. They also contribute to the life, fun, and meaningfulness of work. Figure out why drivers aren’t happy and create training content based on the complaints expressed. Say, “I hear you.” Then take action. Use a safety competition as a fundraiser for a charity. Turn stories of some of your drivers on the road into a monthly e-newsletter. Open the door for engagement.

Give your CEO screen time.

Put together a “state of the company” message and share it with drivers each month. In a large company, a driver might only really know their dispatcher. Use messaging systems creatively to encourage and inspire from the top, as well as remind and challenge to meet goals.

Even if you do one or two of these things, it already sets you apart from most companies who do nothing to improve driver engagement! Wouldn’t it be great to have a waiting list of drivers who want to come on board with you? The driver is the only person in the company who does the work that generates the revenue to pay everyone else. Engage drivers at every level. Build a company where drivers want to work.

At Infinit-I Workforce Solutions, we help our clients get to the heart of driver engagement with online training and communication. It’s integrated, easy to implement, and powerfully effective. Read testimonials or sign up for a free demo today!

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5 Ways to Cut Transportation Expenses in 2020

A Jack-O-Lantern eats several dollar bills -cut trucking expenses

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. And that’s precisely what it can feel like when you’re trying to reduce spending in your fleet budget. Each year you face similar budget choices, and with rising prices on fuel and insurance, it’s tough to make a big change. This is why you need a budget solution that’s going to tap into several areas at once, reducing transportation expenses not by cutting corners on quality or safety, but by preventing significant problems that cost you money.

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7 Ways to Get Drivers to Participate in Safety Training

Safety compliance is one of the key components of a successful strategy in trucking. But it’s still common for companies to struggle when getting drivers on board. What’s behind the resistance? 

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