Whether it’s driving for work or just fun, you want to make sure your drivers are knowledgeable and safe when they’re behind the wheel. That’s where driver training comes in.
A driving training program should include defensive driving strategies that help your drivers anticipate hazards and avoid accidents before they happen. This can save your company time and money.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving is a type of driver training that teaches drivers to avoid accidents and other traffic hazards. This can be done through a variety of strategies, but mainly involves learning to anticipate situations and adapt your driving to prevent collisions.
In addition to avoiding accidents, defensive driving can also save you money and time. This is especially important for commercial fleets, which can experience major disruptions from even minor collisions.
One of the most common defensive driving strategies involves following a safe distance behind other vehicles. This allows you to change lanes or pull out of the way of cars who are speeding. In addition, it gives you more room to slow down and make sure you can avoid a head-on crash if necessary.
Another defensive driving strategy is to scan the road ahead of you and the road behind you at all times. This means keeping an eye out for other vehicles and the actions of other drivers, such as someone who may be distracted by their mobile phone or someone who may drive drunk.
This strategy is also helpful for driving in bad weather conditions or when a hazard arises, such as the sudden need to use your brakes. It also helps you prepare for the unexpected, such as a vehicle changing lanes in front of you while your turn signal is on.
A good defensive driving strategy can help you avoid accidents, reduce the risk of injury to passengers and other drivers, and save you from spending a lot of money on repairs and replacements. A defensive driving course can also help you to get a discount on your insurance rates, which is particularly beneficial for those who have recently been at fault in an accident or who have accumulated a lot of points on their driver’s license.
There are many different types of defensive driving courses available. Some require in-person classes, while others can be completed entirely online. The best course type for you depends on your personal needs and the requirements of your insurance company. However, most courses offer a 10% discount on your insurance premiums for three years after you complete them.
Identifying Vehicle Conditions
While training on a CMV, driver-trainees must be taught how to safely operate their vehicle under various road and traffic conditions. Instruction must include how to inspect the vehicle for potential hazards, proper communication skills and techniques, the importance of safe driving habits, and ways to adjust the vehicle’s speed to match road conditions.
Moreover, they must be educated on how to respond to emergency situations, such as skidding and jackknifing, tire blowouts, hydroplaning, and rollovers. They must learn how to regain control of the vehicle and bring it to a stop in the shortest distance possible.
In addition, they must be trained on the specifics of how to plan routes and trips, including how to select fuel-efficient routes. They also must be trained in the proper way to use Global Positioning System (GPS) software and other tools for planning routes.
Driver-trainees must be instructed on the need to maintain personal safety and general awareness while in common surroundings such as truck stops, rest areas, and at shipper/receiver locations. They must also be taught how to recognize and avoid pedestrians or other distracted drivers.
The driver-trainee must also be instructed on the importance of maintaining a safe following distance. This includes knowing how to properly calibrate a safe following distance, taking into account the vehicle’s weight and length as well as other factors such as weather and traffic.
Finally, driver-trainees must be trained on the proper use of headlights and turn signals to communicate with other vehicles, including bicyclists. They must also be educated on the importance of keeping their eyes open when driving at night.
In the case of violations, they must be taught how to respond to traffic violations and the consequences that follow. They must also be trained on how to maintain a safe following distance, and how to react to emergency situations, such as brake failures or tire blowouts.
Regardless of how you choose to conduct your driving training, you must be aware that any differences in crash and violation rates between licensed drivers and unlicensed drivers after they complete training are unlikely to be due to the treatment effect. This is because both groups are exposed to more crash and violation risk than the controls during their licensing and training periods.
Keeping Your Vehicles in Good Condition
Keeping your vehicles in good condition can make a huge difference to the way you drive. It can help you avoid getting into a car accident that could lead to serious injuries and property damage, and it can also give you a greater sense of confidence when driving.
Many drivers assume that they don’t need to know much about cars, but it’s important to keep in mind that knowing how to take care of your vehicle will ensure that it stays in great shape and runs smoothly for a long time. There are a few simple maintenance items that you can do to keep your vehicle in top condition, and they don’t require a lot of time or money.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your vehicle is to regularly wash it. This will remove the grit and grime from your vehicle’s exterior and make it look better in the long run. Cleaning your vehicle regularly will also prevent rust from developing, which can cause significant problems and make it difficult to repair.
Another important maintenance item is to check your engine oil frequently. Depending on your vehicle’s owner’s manual, you may need to change your oil and oil filter about every 3 months or 3000 miles.
The oil in your engine serves a variety of purposes, including lubricating the moving parts, acting as a sealant against debris, cooling the engine, and helping to reduce wear and tear. Taking the time to change your vehicle’s oil frequently will help your engine run better, and it will also extend its lifespan.
Brakes are another crucial component of a car, and it is important to check them regularly. If you notice that your brakes are pulling to one side, this could be an indication of a problem. You should also be sure that your parking brakes are in good working order and that they are not stuck or leaking fluid.
Keeping your vehicle in good condition can also help you get a higher price when it’s time to sell your vehicle. People will often pay more for a well-maintained vehicle than for one that has been neglected, so it’s worth the investment in time and money to keep your car in good condition.
Maintaining a Safe Workplace
A safe workplace is a valuable asset for any business. Not only is it important for employees’ health, but it also protects the company’s finances and production. A safety program can be a great way to ensure that your business is protected from liability and reduce Workers’ Compensation premiums, as well as keep your employees happy and productive.
Driver training is the most effective way to educate drivers on safe driving practices and help them avoid accidents. It’s crucial to provide your employees with a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of motor safety, from defensive driving techniques and vehicle maintenance to traffic laws and road etiquette.
Using a standardized, research-based curriculum like NSC Driver Safety, your company can provide employees with a robust driving education that will not only teach them about the proper way to drive, but also how to stay safe and avoid collisions in the future. It’s also important to regularly refresher driver training for new or experienced drivers, since their driving habits and attitudes can change over time.
Your business can easily deliver this type of training with the help of video eLearning courses. These courses can be highly engaging and can cover all of the safety basics that your drivers need to know.
Many companies also host regular safety meetings to discuss incidents and reward cautious behavior. This encourages employees to report any unsafe conditions that they see or experience, which can be a good way to keep the work environment safe and prevent future incidents.
Employees should follow all rules put in place by their employer to maintain a safe workplace. This can include reporting accidents and safety violations to the company and avoiding any unsafe activities such as texting while driving or operating heavy equipment.
A company should have a policy for reporting unsafe practices or conditions, and should also set up regular safety meetings to inform employees of new regulations and procedures. It’s also important to report any injuries you may have while working, as these can also be a potential danger to other coworkers.