The safety of your drivers is very important to every company that has a fleet of vehicles. One way you can keep your drivers safe is to continually work on ways to improve how the fleet operates by providing adequate training on how to load their vehicles.
Besides making your fleet more efficient, it can also reduce the chance of accidents and other unfortunate events. Loads that are not secured correctly may cause the merchandise to fall out of the vehicle when it's on the road.
Meanwhile, large loads that are placed in vehicles that are too small can damage the suspension system and brakes. Regardless of what your company transports, there is a proper way to do it that can both optimize space and make the load more secure. We've compiled a list below of five different tips that can help you improve your fleet's overall load safety.
1. Train Your Drivers on How to Select the Right Vehicle
Many accidents are caused by drivers using the wrong vehicle. Train your drivers on how to select the proper vehicle for their load. You can include this information when you are training new drivers and also have a document in a place that's easy for drivers to access whenever they need clarity on which vehicle to pick.
You can also incorporate it into your company's processes so that drivers can not leave without double checking that the vehicle's size and type is appropriate for the load.
2. Train Your Drivers on How to Properly Secure Their Load
Another way to improve your fleet's load safety is to make sure your employees know how to properly secure their load. Every driver should know the different straps and blocks available and when they should be used. It's up to the driver to make sure the restraints are appropriate for the weight and type of load they are carrying.
3. Train Your Drivers on How to Drive With a Load
Next, make sure you take the time to train your drivers on how to navigate company vehicles while they have a load. Driving with a load can change how the vehicle brakes and accelerates versus when there is no cargo. Your drivers should be extra cautious when they are on the highway.
4. Create Continual Education Classes for Drivers
Lastly, we recommend that your company have continual education classes for drivers that review good driving habits, how to secure their load and other information. You can also hold in-person meetings to discuss defensive driving and other important topics.
Contact Wilmar Inc.
Please call us at (800) 488-8451 to speak with one of our team members to get more information about our services. You can also contact us online if that's more convenient or stop by our office in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Wilmar Inc. has worked on providing customized fleet solutions to our clients since 1980. Our company philosophy has always been to put our clients' best interests before our own. As a result of that philosophy, we've become one of the largest independent leasing and fleet management company in the Southeast.
Our team will get to know you personally and get to know your company's goals before we develop a customized solution. Ultimately we want all of our clients to succeed and consider our company to be one of your partners that will always look for ways to bring value.
We hope that once we remove the burden of fleet management, you can focus on boosting sales and working on your business. Our services can help you conduct their businesses more efficiently and effectively, which can allow you to achieve better results.
