In the transport sector, the smallest mistakes can be costly. Truck drivers are not always aware of how the smallest things they do (or do not do) reduce fleet safety and a company's efficiency, productivity and profitability. Moreover, these mistakes affect a fleet manager's ability to do his job effectively. The following five mistakes are the most common, but at the same time the easiest to avoid.
1. Forgetting to enter the Driver ID
Every truck driver should know that it is a legal requirement to enter Driver-ID as soon as his or her shift starts. Not entering Driver-ID creates quite a headache for fleet managers. If you don't know which driver was on the road with which vehicle at what time, it's quite difficult to turn out correct timesheets and keep payroll records. Moreover, it makes things like dealing with an insurance claim very complicated.
Logging hours driven incorrectly
One way to make a fleet manager's stress level skyrocket is by incorrectly logging hours driven. Research by Verizon Connect shows that most fleet managers spend more time rectifying incorrectly logged tachograph data than they do accessing and downloading it. 28 per cent take an hour to fix errors and 35 per cent take half a day. And 10 per cent even spend between two and three days fixing errors. At worst, tachograph data can create the perception that a driver is not obeying the law when in fact he or she is.
3. Logging breaks as 'other job'
At first, pressing the wrong button and logging a break as 'other task' does not seem like such a big deal. However, any incorrect entry can have far-reaching (legal) consequences. For example, logging a break as 'other task' can lead to a skewed view of driving times. At worst, tachograph data can create the perception that a driver did not take sufficient rest breaks. And rest breaks are required by law, so it is vital that drivers log them correctly. This ensures that drivers are taking all the rest they need to concentrate properly on the road. It also helps give fleet managers confidence that on the road everything is running smoothly.
4. Being unreachable on the road
It is important that fleet managers can keep in touch with drivers during the working day. If a driver cannot be reached, it becomes difficult to determine the status of a job and estimated time of arrival. Of course, drivers should not use their phones while driving, but it is difficult to assess whether they are unable to answer the phone or simply ignore the ringing. Therefore, it is a must for drivers to check their phones between assignments and provide updates on their location whenever possible. Incidentally, implementing a digital tachograph removes this problem: planners and fleet managers can see near real-time where all drivers are, and drivers no longer have to pay attention to their phones.
5. Not scheduling breaks effectively
Truck drivers often have hectic work schedules. So it is understandable that they sometimes forget to schedule breaks. For fleet managers, this can be a challenge. After all, they have to constantly monitor whether drivers are taking enough breaks while ensuring time-sensitive shipments arrive on time. Since there is a legal limit of four-and-a-half consecutive hours of driving, drivers need to make sure they plan routes efficiently in advance so they can take their breaks without jeopardising delivery times.
By taking these five common mistakes into account, truck drivers can help keep everything running smoothly and lower their fleet manager's stress levels. Resulting in safer and more efficient processes.
