The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/307131
5 Be committed to safety Private fleets are generally very serious about safety. Ryder Dedicated, which hires its own drivers that are then leased to many private fleets, has only a 15% voluntary turnover ratio, according to Jorge Salas, VP of operations for Ryder Dedicated. "I hear a lot from our drivers about our commitment to safety," he says. For instance, with Ryder's Captain of the Ship policy, employees are empowered to take responsibility for their own safety. For example, if drivers believe road conditions are too dangerous to complete runs, they can say so without penalty. "When they see that our drivers can actually have the freedom to say they can't or shouldn't drive anymore and receive our support behind their decision," it means a lot, Salas says. Ryder also invests in safety technologies such as lane departure warning and back-up collision alerts. And most private fleets adopted electronic logs years ahead of them gaining traction in the for-hire world. "What you have with private fleets is a culture of long-term investment in quality transportation department for the long haul," Petty says. "It begins with top equipment, putting into place the best technology, spec'ing the trucks with the latest and most sophisticated safety tech, finding the best possible people, paying them the best, having the best benefits. "We know that translates into better service, much higher safety performance, and … It's naturally going to translate into a safer, more conscious, happy and productive driver." The changing world of transportation could force more of the for-hire industry to follow that model. "I think overall everybody knows that the availability of qualified and successful drivers continues to shrink," Petty says. "The market is going to force the pay and benefits up to compete with alternative types of careers these people have available to them. It stands to reason that the cost of transportation is going to continue to rise, and the old model of extremely high turnover of 100% a year is probably not sustainable in the future." ■ MAY 2014 • HDT 41 Drivers are integral to the success of your company. So, what can you do to develop and maintain a fleet of safe, qualified drivers? With the DriveCam powered by Lytx tm Program, you can protect your drivers' lives with continuous improvement and protect their careers from wrongful claims. You can provide focused training and coaching to enhance your drivers' skills. And you can identify your good drivers for recognition and reward. Let us help you protect, respect and retain your drivers. I'm a professional. What professional doesn't want to improve? The DriveCam Program continues to make me better." It's tough out there. People don't pay attention and always blame the truck driver. It's nice to know the DriveCam Program is there to protect me." © 2014 Lytx, Inc. All rights reserved 866.419.5861 www.Lytx.com Mention Code: HDTMAY Lytx; DriveCam powered by Lytx; Lytx Engine; Lytx Insights; Sense, Predict, Prevent; and Delivering Insights. Driving Results are trademarks of Lytx, Inc. DriveCam, DriveCam Online and RAIR are registered trademarks of Lytx, Inc. " " " I didn't realize how unsafe of a driver I was until I saw it. I don't know if I'd still have my job if it weren't for the DriveCam Program." Circle 237 on Reader Action Card d r i v e r s _ m a y l . i n d d 4 1 drivers_mayl.indd 41 4 / 3 0 / 1 4 1 1 : 3 5 A M 4/30/14 11:35 AM