Drivers are the most critical aspect of guaranteeing the success of a fleet. The top two concerns that motor carriers face are driver retention and shortages. If you’re having trouble keeping your fleet staffed, it’s critical that you identify measures to enhance driver morale in order to halt the revolving door of recruiting. The happier your drivers are, the less likely they are to leave, and happiness radiates from the top of the business down. Read on for some helpful tips on improving truck driver satisfaction.
Organizational Benefits
Making sure that your drivers have a well-rounded set of perks might go a lot further than simply giving a lot of money to them. Optimizing schedules to offer your drivers appropriate home time is a simple concern. While some drivers choose to stay on the road for longer lengths of time than others, the average amount of time drivers spend on the road is two to three weeks. A health and wellness plan, which may include things like packed lunches in break rooms, health check-ups, nutritious snack options, business wellness days, insurance, healthcare benefits, or subsidized gym memberships, can also go a long way in keeping your drivers healthy and happy.
Optimize Routes and Schedule
Poorly planned routes cause drivers to spend additional and unnecessary time trapped in traffic or on challenging county roads, accumulating aggravation over time. It may also imply that some drivers are overwhelmed with too few routes, while others are overburdened with too many. If you use a fleet management software, you may link your GPS provider to design more effective routes that help not just your drivers but also the overall efficiency of your fleet operation. Your drivers will all be given equal time on the road, and your routes will be finished on schedule more regularly.
Vehicle Maintenance
Nothing complicates a driver’s life more than a troublesome truck that has frequent maintenance concerns and vehicular problems. Failure to service your trucks on a regular basis might eventually become a stumbling block for drivers, increasing the danger of delays and accidents. Be sure to bring your trucks to service centers regularly for fleet servicing. You should also develop a vehicle replacement strategy so that you can bring in new assets on a regular basis. A new truck can deeply enhance a driver’s working circumstances by improving vehicle performance and overall comfort.
Use GPS and Telematics Data
It might be quite tempting to use your GPS and telematics equipment to monitor your drivers for errors. While you should undoubtedly monitor driver behavior on the road, consider using that data to acknowledge drivers who display good driving practices and route efficiency, as well as educate drivers who may want some direction. A simple method to expand on this concept is to design a successful driving incentive program in which continuing excellence in routes and efficiency is rewarded with recognition or incentives. This will encourage good drivers to stay the course while also providing a motivational standard for struggling drivers.