“Nothing we do is worth endangering ourselves and the motoring public,” he said. Avoid phrases like hard-runner and use terms like a good, safe driver.
It should be reiterated to drivers that they have the final say in safety, he added.
Falldin said safety and compliance can be established using culture, teamwork, training, and technology. He said a disproportionate number of accidents occur within a driver’s first six months with a carrier, no matter if they are experienced or not.
It is advantageous to bring them into your safety culture as soon as possible, else they will continue with their previous company’s culture.
Safety and operations departments’ actions must match their words, and everyone must be on the same page, Falldin said.