If you want your drivers to operate with a greater focus on safety, you need to make the issue a matter of company policy. Here are three changes that can reduce your drivers’ accidents and risks:
1. Train your drivers how to inspect the equipment.
Most companies specialize, even internally. As towing companies get larger, they’re subject to the same phenomena and that can be dangerous. If you have one department for drivers and another department or position that’s responsible for inspecting the towing equipment, you have a knowledge gap.
Make sure your drivers know how to inspect the equipment for signs of damage and malfunctions. Even if you keep a dedicated inspector to handle the weekly audits and paperwork, drivers need to be able to recognize warning signs every day.
2. Set a company speed limit.
The speed limits on the highway and the suburban streets are largely meant for individual passenger vehicles. They might not be the right fit for your business. Federal and state regulations limit semi-truck driving speeds, and many individual corporations do the same thing for their over-size vehicles. Consider implementing your own threshold so the tow trucks aren’t going faster than they can go safely.
Alternatively, change the structure of how you record employee productivity. If you base merit solely on the number of jobs completed, you’re incentivizing your employees to drive quickly and take risks. Make changes accordingly.
3. Don’t put touchscreens in your vehicles.
Distracted driving is one of the biggest issues facing every segment of the driving population. While you can’t stop your drivers from fiddling with the car controls, you can make it safer. The next time you get a new company vehicle, make sure it doesn’t have any touchscreens. These don’t provide tactile feedback, so drivers have to glance down to operate the controls. That can be just as dangerous as texting.
Safer tow trucking procedures are good for your business. They can be just as good for your insurance rates. Go to J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC. to see if you’re getting a fair deal on your insurance. We provide commercial truck insurance in the states of Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.
