If there is one thing that companies value the most, it is the safety of the people working for them. This is especially true for companies that own and operate fleets. That being said, we have to consider the fact that the number of worker deaths by crashes is more than the deaths caused by any other kind of accident – a clear indication that fleet accidents can result in huge loss. That’s why there’s a need for better fleet management.
Why Do Fleet Drivers Get Into More Accidents?
The stats clearly indicate that fleet drivers are more susceptible to accidents than workers in any other field. Of course there’s a reason for it. The average number of miles a regular person in the United States drives annually ranges from 12,000 to 15,000. The chances of the average driver getting involved in an accident while on the road are about 1 in 15.
Now let’s consider the stats for the average fleet driver. A fleet driver, on average, travels between 20 to 25 thousand miles in a calendar year. That increases the probability of a fleet driver getting involved in an accident on the road. Accidents involving fleet drivers while hauling for the company come under the responsibility of the fleet manager at the company.
Fleet management is not an easy job and there is a constant need for better fleet management in order to reduce the costs involved with all the accidents that happen in a year.
Fleet Accident Expenditure
The cost of fleet accidents is more than just the cost of vehicle damage. There are many more costs involved which make the costs of fleet accidents much higher. The costs other than the damage to the car may or may not include property damage, third party liability costs, reduced production due to downtime and opportunities to generate revenue being missed, the numbers easily go north of $20,000 per incident.
Knowing that the cost of fleet accidents can rise so high is the reason why better fleet management is required. It’s not just about reducing the costs that the company has to endure due to the accident. It is also about the safety of the drivers. They are the people who really matter to the company and improved fleet management can ensure their safety.
Better Fleet Management
If you’re a fleet manager, you will find that you have a lot of responsibility on your hands but you can improve your management if you go about it the right way.
Part of your job is to hire new drivers. Better fleet management practice would involve you properly vetting the drivers and seeing if they have the kind of personality that suits long haul driving. A lot of the accidents involve young and eager drivers behind the wheel. They feel that if they over perform, they have better chances of progression. An improved fleet management practice would entail reinforcing the aspect of safety over speed at all costs.
Fleet management is not for the increased productivity in the short term. It is for increased safety values for the fleet for even more long term sustainability for the productivity of the company. Remember: Safety comes first!
Source:
https://www.verizonconnect.com/resources/article/cost-of-fleet-accidents/
