Minimizing Pressure On Drivers To Reduce Commercial Auto Insurance Costs

Professional drivers are an important, but high risk asset to most businesses. They can be truck drivers, deliverymen, or even professional salespeople. A commercial driver, no matter how safe, always puts a business at risk when he or she gets behind the wheel.

You likely have commercial auto insurance to cut some of the risks these drivers create for you. However, it is always a good practice to put in place steps to make drivers themselves safer.

Recommendations for Keeping Your Drivers Safe

Companies can take practical steps to ensure drivers are operating vehicles at their best. One of these is to reduce pressure.

Many drivers are incentivized to drive longer shifts, drive faster, or take unsafe routes. In many cases, this is in the name of profit and speedy delivery. This places a great deal of risk in the hands of those drivers, though.

Ensure all drivers follow trucking guidelines as a minimum. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has specific rules and guidelines. These include Hours of Service rules that employers need to observe.
Use technology to help ensure drivers follow these rules. For example, companies are using more GPS tracking to ensure drivers arrive in the right amount of time. You shouldn't push drivers to get to locations too quickly. However, sometimes it is the driver who makes the decision to arrive early. Reduce this temptation by tracing their actions.
Invest in safety training even for drivers who operate vehicles locally. This may include taking steps to reduce driver fatigue, ensuring drivers are well-rested, attentive, and focused on the job before they step foot into the vehicle.

Drivers may make mistakes from time to time. This is understandable and is not particularly unusual. However, management should do anything they can to ensure a driver is fit to be on the road.

Business insurance, including commercial auto insurance, can help when mistakes occur.But, it shouldn't be your only protection. Choose highly skilled and experienced drivers. Pay them well enough to drive safely rather than carelessly. And, ensure that you are providing your employees with the tools they need to do the job properly.

Do you have questions about protecting your business with commercial auto insurance? Call Auto Insurance Discounters at (866) 288-6545 for a free Kansas City auto insurance quote.

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