Fleet drivers are highly professional individuals that make their living by being out on the busy roadways around our country. While most drivers pride themselves in their driving records and their performance, providing routine driver education and combining that with the safety and security of fuel cards is a great opportunity for any team. Fleet managers can incorporate this type of training into meetings, workshops or even weekend retreats, a great way to bring the team together and stress safety and security.

Fuel cards may not seem like a safety and security measure for drivers but they really are. Using these cards instead of cash means that drivers don’t have to carry large sums of money with them. Since most thefts occur because the thief knew the individual was carrying cash, having the driver only use fuel cards keeps them safe whenever they are on the road. Of course, these cards also provide protection for the company as well. Drivers can only use the cards for fuel or approved types of maintenance payment. Fleet managers can even restrict the amount of purchases per day on the card or can link it to mileage for additional safety. Drivers would not be able to purchase fuel outside of the working day, ensuring that drivers stay rested and follow company policy for driving times and daily limits.

Driver training that focus in on safety and preventative or defensive driving is another key element to developing a safe driving team. This training can be done in house or you may want to consider having a professional driving instructor come in for a refresher or initial training course. It may even be possible to split up drivers into specific training for the type of driving and the vehicles that they operate. Those drivers that are mostly in city and in smaller vehicles can then take specific training on driving in those conditions while over the road truckers and drivers have other factors they need to consider. Allowing drivers to focus in on their areas of concern makes the training very meaningful and relevant.

Providing incentives and recognition for safe driving is a great option when combined with proactive training. When training is seen as a requirement with rewards rather than a punishment after an incident happens is it better received by even the most seasoned of drivers. Involving everyone from management to the drivers in the training is another way to build in a sense of team spirit and avoid singling out one particular group in the company. After all anyone using the company fleet vehicles should be using the same safe driving techniques.

Many insurance companies, even those that insure fleets, offer discounted insurance rates for recognized preventative or defensive driving programs. Before booking a program or instructor check in with your insurance company to see if you may qualify for a fleet discount if all drivers participate. This discount can then be applied to awards and recognition for safe drivers, helping to build a reputation with the drivers around safety and safe driving.

There are so many ways to promote safe driving within any size of company. Personal safety through the use of fuel cards as well as driver education programs will definitely have in impact over time. It is never too late to start these types of programs and you can also develop a basic program for new drivers to the company that brings them up to speed with your current employees.

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