Driver Safety Incentives

Ensuring your drivers are safe while working

It’s probably true that in the broadest terms there are certain driver types.  If I were to label them they might range from the timid, to confident, to over-confident!  We all know the types.

Much is the same for driver safety incentives in that they need to vary according to those driver types.  Some drivers may pay more attention to safety if they’re threatened with disciplinary action.  Others may be motivated by more positive sentiments.

The trick here is to get the balance right.  Clearly we should aim to get all drivers engaged and focused on the need for safe driving without risking any of the unwanted negative side effects.

Such side-effects can be as follows:

• Drivers can decide not to report accidents if the scheme is too generous or too onerous
• Apathy towards the scheme if it is not sufficiently meaningful to drivers
• Too expensive or time-consuming for the business

Overall, the aim should be to integrate a driver incentive scheme within a fleet’s corporate risk management strategy.  This because the initiatives (in terms of assessments and training) will be seen as the company’s investment in the driver and the natural consequence of that is the driver’s increased responsibility towards safety, the company asset and other road users.

A key decision is whether to implement an incentive scheme or indeed a disincentive scheme. Of course it will usually be a fleet-wide initiative so if you look to reward those who only react positively to threats, the scheme will fail.  Equally, threats made to drivers who would drive more safely with encouragement will have a negative effect.

Some of the best schemes we have seen involve differing arrangements per driver or per group of drivers so the business can flex the details according to driver types.  What is certain as far as incentive schemes are concerned is the need to celebrate them by publicly rewarding those drivers who have understood what the business needs and have taken successful steps to drive more safely.

If you would like to know more about creating, implementing or administering a driver safety incentive scheme then call RVM on 0113224 8800 and speak to our head of risk, Angela Sorley.

At RVM our integrated approach allows us to help fleets to implement effective safety policies, analyse trends and identify high risk drivers. Our Driver Training program is targeted, timely and appropriate.  The result is lower accident rates, improved driver safety, and reduced costs.