When you are running a business that has its own fleet, you have got to be on top of it for it to be a success. As a fleet manager, you will be relying on your drivers to take care of their vehicles so that they can get to and from job sites with ease – and without breaking down.
As well as it being your job to look after your drivers, you need to help your drivers to look after their own vehicles. There’s a level of responsibility that you need to give your team. Not only does it show that you trust them, but it allows them to feel accomplished when they have achieved their goals. If your drivers are looking after their vehicles, they’re going to be able to do the job far more efficiently and they’re going to look professional while they do it. There’s never going to be a guarantee that your drivers will act the way that you want them to, but at least with technology like a fleet dashcam you can ensure the right job is getting done! Your image matters and if your car or truck bearing your brand is going to be driving on the road, you want to know that it’s being done safely the whole time.
You want to start with a policy in place for drivers. If you want them to act the right way, you need to give them clear instructions as to your expectations. Your company policy can also act as a way to show the consequences if your vehicles are not looked after properly on the road. It’s not just the fact you want them to avoid an accident on the road, but the fact that you want them to drive clean and functional cars that are able to be on the road. Your drivers need to feel motivated to keep their own vehicle clean and working on the road and you want to ensure that they are clear on what happens when policy isn’t followed.
The next thing that you want to do is ensure that the correct training is in place. If your drivers are not aware of the procedure surrounding vehicles, then you need to make them aware of it. Training and education is a must when you are running a fleet of vehicles and managing a group of drivers. Their responsibilities are a two-way street, and you need to make sure that they know what they are and how to act in any situation.
Lastly, you want to offer incentives. People want to feel looked after and you can make that happen with the right rewards and a thank you to your employees. The more you work to show them that they will get something out of looking after their things, the better they will act and the happier they will be to do so. Getting your drivers to take care of their vehicles is so important, and you need to start now.
