The HOS function has already helped the company prove compliance during a DOT audit (see quotation below). The technology also gives dispatch a useful tool to make schedules and determine each truck’s location. Skinner says specifically that dispatch uses a weekly summary function to manage drivers’ loads on a day-to-day basis.
Positive Recognition For Good Behavior
Skinner says to address poor driver behavior the company gives drivers monthly reports and points out areas with room for improvement. Before taking any disciplinary action, Fueliner offers drivers chances to modify their driving tendencies and then rewards them with positive recognition for any good behavior displayed. Skinner says this is a way to manage fleet safety without coming down on drivers. And he points out that the company has seen success with this method.
Having Drivers On Board
Though there was initial pushback from the drivers, Skinner says that with the right approach, his drivers got on board fairly quickly. “Some drivers think that just because they haven’t gotten into an accident, they are safe drivers. When they are shown their event history it is easy for everyone to see areas of improvement and driving behavior changes,” Skinner notes. Once Fueliner emphasized the safety of the fleet and how easy the software was to use, the drivers agreed with the decision.
Taking safety a step further, with the help of Geotab, the company was able to successfully fight a lawsuit. When someone pulled out in front of a Fueliner vehicle without leaving any braking time for its driver, the resulting litigation was defused when Fueliner were able to show the logged events from that day. Skinner says the data showed that the Fueliner driver was keeping well below the speed limit and that it was in fact the other driver who caused the rear-end accident.
Additional Benefits
Additional benefits Skinner has seen with Geotab include being able to track idling, time card reports, and maintenance scheduling. Plus, he says he loves the real-time capabilities, and that the software updates quickly and automatically so there is no need to switch out the physical device.
Skinner also mentions that the company sees insurance benefits from having fewer and less severe events each year. Thanks to Geotab, Fueliner hasn’t seen a premium increase for the last five years, saving the company around $177,000 in insurance costs annually.
Download Case Study