The number of truck fleet operations increases every year, as do the number of fleet safety programs dedicated to improving driver safety as well as the safety of other cars on the road. The NSC — National Safety Council — increasingly hosts fleet safety symposia to bring attention to fleet driver fatalities and safety compliance solutions. Fleet safety compliance can save lives and save business owners from lawsuits involving accidents and injuries.

Truckers must adhere to national standards, and those of each state they travel through. Fleet safety programs, whether handled by professional firms or do-it-yourself software, can help fleet owners adhere to laws and improve work conditions for truckers and the environments in which they drive.

Decide which of the following will meet your needs for fleet safety compliance:

1. Simple products and training for individual truckers

2. Professional fleet safety firms

3. All-inclusive fleet safety management software

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the simplest of solutions to improve trucking fleet safety

Trucking fleet safety doesn't have to be outsourced to another company, especially if you only have a couple of trucks on the road. Many accidents involving truck fleets are due to driver fatigue. Truckers are required to keep driving time log books as a deterrent to driver fatigue due to driving long distances without rest. Often the log books are misused. Simple solutions, such as alarms that keep drives from nodding off, can be found online from companies that sell or manufacture safety products.

I recommend: Sav-A-Life and SmartHome sell simple alarms that can increase truck driving safety. DDCUSAFLEET.com also offers truck driving safety through online courses.

Turn to fleet safety firms that can handle law compliance and paperwork for you

If you want fleet safety firms to educate your staff about fleet safety, find a fleet safety consultant that is knowledgeable not only regarding departments of transportation and Occupational Health and Safety Administration guidelines, but one that also offers driver and tow safety training. You can also find companies that will prepare your drivers on how to handle any potential scenario concerning truck safety.

I recommend: Midwest Fleet Safety features driver safety programs for collision prevention. Vigillo offers professional risk management as well as a free, 30-day trial.

Handle your own fleet management safety with computer software

Just like with fleet management firms, fleet management safety software can help you manage safety training requirements as well as incident response. A good software program will have OSHA knowledge built in, but you can find cheap software that's programmed without it if you want to keep up with changing laws and standards.

I recommend: Fleet safety management software from PureSafety boasts the most comprehensive suite of tools so you can do it yourself. Arsenault Associates offers fleet management software and new technology.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you ask your agent about insurance discounts for drivers completing fleet driving safety programs and continuing education. Some can save you up to 15 percent.