Although the worst of the pandemic looks to be behind us, the effects of ongoing global crises are still presenting unprecedented challenges for fleets. Supply chain issues that began during the pandemic, arising partly from a mass shortage of fleet drivers, are expected to persist through 2022. With a returning workforce of fleet drivers and a high turnover among new drivers, the shortage of employees is a critical bottleneck in the supply chain. The shortage has led to new federal legislation allowing drivers as young as 18 years old to transport freight in multi-ton trucks across state lines. As fuel costs continue to skyrocket, fleet operations are almost unmanageable, with little confidence that it will settle down anytime soon. With the various challenges facing fleets, prioritizing fleet safety management can benefit your company’s bottom line.
Last year showed the magnitude of costs that fleets can face: News of a record-breaking $900 million dollar nuclear verdict set a new precedent for what fleets can face as a consequence of distracted driving incidents. The verdict signaled a shifting landscape in driving regulations that fleets must adapt to. Now, the Colorado Senate has recently passed new legislation banning drivers from talking on hand-held cellphones while driving. The move marks a positive step forward in making a safe-driving future, but fleets still have their work cut out for them with the incoming wave of teen drivers. The latest federal apprenticeship program will train drivers as young as 18 to drive multiton big rigs across state lines for fleet operations. The news has sparked concerns about the potential dangers of putting these younger drivers behind the wheel of such large vehicles with long driving hours. The rigorous training requirements are a good step, but no matter the amount of training, distracted driving is an issue that requires active intervention after these young drivers are transitioned from training to behind the wheel. For young people, it is harder to remember a time in their lives without devices like smartphones. With less experience on the road and more exposure to the influence of technology, younger drivers are more likely to engage in distracted driving behavior.
Investing in a safe driving app like Motion Intelligence’s Evvy Technology can protect fleets from dangerous driving behaviors while also helping employers retain drivers.
Our Evvy Aapp prevents distractions caused by mobile devices before they occur. Drivers remain safely connected without an opportunity to engage in dangerous distracted-driving behavior. Our MotionIQ Dashboard seamlessly integrates into existing fleet telematics and driver-monitoring tools and provides a fully customizable, easily managed monitoring system with real-time reports for effective management. Our unique offerings for fleet safety management include our Evvy Multi-Passenger feature that allows off-duty drivers to use their phones freely while keeping drivers safety-connected and our Evvy Scoring and Rewards gamification addition (more below!) — are customized for the specific needs of fleets of all types and sizes.
A strong fleet safety culture is a primary reason why drivers choose to stick with a company. Current fleet safety measures, such as no-tolerance mobile device policies and in-cab cameras, can adversely affect driver retention. In-cab cameras document events after they happen and are often paired with punitive responses that do not address underlying technology addiction. Younger drivers will need fleet managers to support them after training as they step into their new roles, in which they’re tasked with serving the countless communities across the country struggling with the effects of the supply chain crisis.
Fleets are needed now more than ever, which is why it’s important for you to protect your drivers and your business’s bottom line and reputation.
