Fleets like yours already know that better driver retention improves their bottom line. Here’s something else to consider, though: improved retention also leads to improved compliance, and in turn better safety.
Good retention rates improve driver learning curves, and create an atmosphere of accountability for everyone. This isn’t just hearsay: the stats back it up.
The highest rate of safety incidents (35%) occurs between a driver’s third and twelfth months at a new fleet.
That’s right when onboarding typically ends, and the real learning curve begins. This nine-month period is the most crucial for compliance management.
Take a detailed look at why reducing driver attrition improves compliance, plus four ways you can make it happen.
Some facts and statistics
There are more statistics backing up the correlation between retention and compliance.
- An FMCSA survey revealed that drivers listed safety and compliance concerns as a top reason for seeking employment at another fleet.
- In addition, a recent ATA study showed that fleets who actively engage their drivers in safety and compliance programs see a 20% lower turnover rate.
- Most significant of all, businesses with highly engaged employees see 63% fewer safety and compliance incidents.
Make orientation easy
Let's go back to that alarming statistic about incidence rates and early driver tenure. This doesn’t just point to a need for better driver retention. It means on the whole, driver onboarding needs to be taken up a level across the industry.
Since efficient onboarding also improves retention by up to 80%, it’s a win on multiple levels, including compliance. Here’s how to bring it to life.
- Remote onboarding reduces orientation time by eliminating the need to travel to terminal. It also lets new hires complete training from wherever they are.
- Consider adopting digital e-signatures for documents. This reduces onboarding time and is more efficient for new drivers.
- Most of all, consider allowing drivers to remotely upload their crucial compliance documents, such as their license, TWIC card and other tickets they need for their jobs.
Digital and remote-based onboarding is more efficient and makes it easier to track if your new drivers have all their documents up to date and on file. If you’re not already using it at your fleet, now’s the time to start.
It’ll lead to better compliance, longer tenures, and a better safety record.
Give your drivers the compliance tools they need.
A big reason why drivers stay with a fleet? When they’ve been given the tools needed to stay compliant - easily and conveniently. Here are some proven tools (and tactics) below.
- As with onboarding, digital tools are your biggest compliance ally. When drivers need to update their files, make it easy for them to do from wherever they happen to be, ideally right through their smartphone.
- Automate compliance alerts. Schedule reminders for whenever a driver has documents nearing expiry.
- Alert drivers to upcoming external road checks, such as ones run by the CVSA.
- Create a way for your drivers to track and manage their own documents all on one digital platform (the right software can help you do this).
You’d never send your drivers out on the road with subpar equipment. Make sure you haven’t handed them subpar tools to manage their DQ files, either.
Effective communication is key
You might have noticed we bring up communications a lot. That’s because good communication plays a role in everything you do, especially when it comes to limiting churn and improving compliance management. A well-organized system of communication can help make compliance easier for your entire team.
- Take an honest look at your methods of communication. Is there a centralized email for onboarding questions and concerns? Is it easy for new hires to request information?
- Establish a quick-report system where drivers can instantly drop compliance-related questions and concerns.
- Ensure it’s easy for drivers to connect with terminal staff, with a dedicated number, chat, or email, about compliance issues.
- No matter the situation, reply ASAP to driver messages. Ideally, you should reply to a driver’s message within a couple of hours, especially if they’re voicing a concern.
It’s up to you to set the standard for good communication for everyone, from dispatchers to mechanics to your driving force. This reduces churn, which helps make your fleet safer over time.
Genuine appreciation encourages accountability
Driver appreciation is one of those intangibles that, for the most part, can only be measured by driver retention levels (that’s why we’ve written a whole piece on it). Here’s the thing, driver appreciation also encourages accountability. And that leads to even better driver compliance.
Remember: drivers are proud of the work they do. Showing you appreciate their efforts makes them want to keep meeting and exceeding both your standards and their own.
Here’s a quick summary of the best ways to show genuine driver appreciation.
- Reward your drivers with quarterly safety bonuses (or even monthly ones).
- Be loud and proud about the winners! Share on social media (or at least your internal sites) which drivers have won the safety bonuses.
- Consider creating a badge or decal for safety winners.
- An annual “safest driver” award, with both a cash gift and physical prize, gives everyone something to strive for.
When truck drivers know their fleet respects and appreciate them, your entire fleet is more likely to achieve a higher rate of retention, improved compliance, and a lower rate of safety incidents. Luckily, our software can help make it easy for everyone to be ultra-compliant, and feel more appreciated, too. Give us a call today and we’ll set up a demo.