Hi Folks…

With budgets being streamlined and the
costs related to the running of a fleet on the increase, we are ever on the
alert for best practice standards which are applied in other parts of the
globe.

The North American continent is one such
area that can provide insight on models worth emulating. Element Financial
Corporation’s fleet division conducted a survey among 130 clients, covering
over 150000 vehicles and as a result identified several important elements of
safety policies with training featured as one of eight - see infographic. The
survey offered the following insights.

Of surveyed companies, 15% reported that
they do not have any safety program. For those fleets that have a safety
program, 68 percent offer driver safety training (80% use online training,
followed by safety videos — 46%, and classroom training — 37%).

Of the fleets that have a safety
program, 66% of them also have a documented safety and accident policy, and 27%
offer driver safety kits. There are many methods used by companies to ensure
that drivers understand the importance of safety and range from awareness
programs, online training and distributing safety handbooks to driver in-class
and on-road training.

It is worth noting that the importance
  attached to building a program with both proactive (tips and
trainings to avoid crashes with all drivers) and reactive components
(specialized training, targeting certain behaviours for higher risk drivers
based on different types of accidents or violations identified as part of
driver assessments).

In 2016 many companies recognize the
need to be proactive and yet don’t know what to do or where to start - 
guidance on this could be critical for ongoing success and more importantly
profitability. Is your company ready?

Till next time – take a few minutes and
review where you stand with regard to safety policies, particularly on driver
training.

Eugene Herbert