Dispatchers Can Help Prevent Trucking Accidents
Commuters and motorists are probably aware of how common traffic accidents can be. If you spend time in traffic daily, chances are you will encounter traffic accidents on a regular basis. It is not uncommon in the trucking industry for accidents to happen. However, the magnitude of the accident causes it to receive more attention than regular traffic accidents. As a dispatcher, you can play a role in helping prevent accidents with your truck drivers. Just a few, simple reminders can make a difference...
Trucking accidents affect everyone. The cost of owning or operating a big rig is increasing all the time. Even when things run smoothly, trucking is an expensive endeavor. Increased claims cause increase insurance premiums, cutting into profits. With trucking companies scrambling to stay in business in this economy, we can all do a part to keep costs under control and drivers running loaded.
Efficient scheduling helps to prevent big truck accidents. Don't put your truck drivers in the position of having to deadhead in rush hour to make a pick-up or drop-off. Don't schedule unloading or reloading with unrealistic expectations between appointments that are outside of DOT regulations. It is important for drivers to stay loaded, but they must be able to safely get to, from, and between appointments without raising the probability of an accident.
Understand the driving conditions your truck driver will encounter. There are federal guidelines on how long a driver can stay behind the wheel. But 10 hours in traffic or congestion is very different than 10 hours of open road in the Midwest. Don't add extra pressure to your driver or your consignee by promising difficult deliverables.
Adjust for weather conditions. Understand not only the weather in which your truck driver will be picking up or dropping off, but what he will encounter during the run, especially if it is a long haul load.
It is easy to make promises to customers and consignees when we are trying to secure a load for our driver. But keep a level head and communicate openly and honestly about the truck driver's schedules. This takes some pressure off of him, and will allow him to concentrate on driving instead of the clock. In the end, happy customers and consignee's mean repeat business. And safe truck drivers are an asset to all of our industries.
