When you’re in charge of a fleet, one of the things you must prepare for is the possibility of accidents. There are many common mistakes that trucking companies and fleet managers can potentially make.
The best way to handle a truck accident within your fleet is through prevention. Trucking accidents are expensive, plus they lead to a loss of productivity that can negatively impact your bottom line. Read on to find out what you can do to minimize the effects of a truck accident in your fleet.
Promote Safety Culture
One of the first things you need to do is make safety a top priority of your company’s culture. When safety is put in the forefront, truckers will take the right steps to be more cautious and drive safely.
Proper Training
Since the trucking industry has grown exponentially, there is a huge demand for drivers. While you may have some seasoned truckers in your fleet, you may also have some newer ones that have less experience. Ideally, providing training for all of them, including refresher courses for the drivers who have been in this profession for a while, could help them learn to avoid accidents.
Follow the Federal Rules for Scheduling
Safe scheduling involves ensuring you do not put your truck drivers on the road for longer than federally mandated. Manage the fleet schedule for more efficient and safer freight transportation.
Rely on Technology
Technology can help you to better manage your fleet. You’ll be able to see that your drivers are compliant and following basic safety. With vehicle management solutions, you can check in on driving behavior and issue warnings to any that are breaking the rules. You’ll be able to stay ahead of the game to avoid trucking accidents in the first place.
Teach Your Truck Drivers How to Handle Accidents
While these preventative measures should reduce the chances for accidents, they are not a cure-all. Every truck driver in your fleet should be prepared and know how to handle an accident. Your trucking insurance will provide coverage, though doing things the right way can help in terms of liability.
You may want to install in-vehicle cameras that can get an objective view of what happened. Often, truck driver error is cited in accidents, though in many instances, the driver of a passenger vehicle may have maneuvered in such a way that your driver couldn’t avoid the crash.
Each vehicle in your fleet should have the right road safety and emergency kits. Your truckers should also have an accident report form and know how to fill it out. If a truck accident occurs, the truck drivers in your fleet should know the steps to take.
They must stop and turn on the hazard lights before getting out of the vehicle. They should also check themselves as well as the drivers and passengers of other involved vehicles for injuries. Reporting it to 911 is essential as is getting in touch with the truck insurance company.
