Many things can happen on the road with different drivers operating their vehicles. And there’s double the risk once delivery drivers transport their cargo from Point A to Point B. Aside from carrying valuable packages, they might be involved in a road accident or mishap that might compromise their safety and the delivery.
Considering how essential their services are, business owners must be vigilant in watching over their delivery staff. After all, it’s almost impossible for a business to further its reach without delivery services transporting its products to clients and consumers. But as insightful as it is to ask where do most motorcycle accidents occur or how many road accidents delivery services encounter each year, it’s only one step toward keeping them safe.
Here are some practices businesses can apply to ensure their delivery services’ safety:
1. Have A Thorough Hiring Process
Hiring someone to transport the cargo to its destination shouldn’t be limited to something as simple as knowing how to drive. Given how precarious the road’s always been, the drivers business owners hire must be familiar with what they’re supposed to do in any situation. Only relying on ‘street smarts’ or experience may do them more harm than good.
Driving a delivery truck has a mile-long difference from private cars or vans. Because depending on how massive they are, these delivery trucks could go up to eight-wheelers carrying large loads that can easily influence the driver’s performance, among other things. Hence, aside from confirming their credentials, see if the applicants have any references you can check out. That way, it’s easier to guarantee whether their experience is legitimate.
With their credentials reviewed, interview the applicants about the job. Since they have proof of their experience, they must confidently answer questions about the ‘physics’ involved in managing a delivery truck. Once you’ve assessed their answers, consider ending the interview process with a road test. See if they practice basic driving safety and identify where they need improvement.
2. Implement Training Programs
Many things can happen on the road. As the employer, it’s your responsibility to equip employees with the necessary instruments to secure their safety. One of the best ways to accomplish that is by training them.
On top of teaching them essential tasks such as delivery route planning, consider enrolling your drivers in defensive driving courses. Quickly strategizing on handling roadway issues or vehicle collisions when a driver encounters one is the main focus of these courses. Granted, this might seem like a costly endeavor. However, employers will realize how they make an excellent investment.
After all, drivers will learn how to hone their skills further while significantly reducing their susceptibility to traffic accidents or violations. With those out of the way, repair bills and compensation claims will decrease significantly.
3. Utilize Technology
Technology helps to increase convenience further. With its help, what used to be tedious processes are now manageable. Given the many variables in delivery services, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when keeping up with everything. Consider investing in up-to-date software to improve efficiency.
Although it’s ideal to have software handle all delivery processes, some businesses prefer using individual software programs for their respective tasks. For example, choosing the quickest and safest route toward the destination requires countless trials and errors. Because if it weren’t for the traffic, poorly constructed roads could ruin the package and compromise the business. That’s one mistake you can avoid with the right software.
Aside from the delivery process itself, technology enables long-distance communication among people. Since everyone’s following a schedule, updating clients consistently on the driver’s progress is a great convenience for their schedule.
4. Conduct Regular Maintenance
Day in and day out, delivery vehicles travel for miles to reach their destination while carrying a massive load. Hence, it’s safe to say they’ve been put through the wringer. But on top of the driver’s performance, the vehicle’s poor condition has contributed to countless road accidents.
Before hitting the road, remind drivers to check their vehicles regularly. Although limited, the automotive knowledge they’ve learned from training will come in handy for spotting mechanical problems. Aside from that, schedule regular maintenance from professional mechanics for all vehicles to do a thorough checkup.
5. Review Policies (breaks/quota)
Working as a delivery driver is one of the most demanding jobs in the industry. After all, reaching their destinations while securing their package is no easy task. On top of that, quotas and deadlines loom over them constantly. Despite how hard they push themselves, working beyond their limits will only spell disaster, whether it’s caused by drowsiness or disorientation.
Assess the current policies set in place. If they mention quotas more than the employee’s well-being, consider making the right changes. For example, punishing drivers who fall behind schedule is common in some businesses, even because of external forces. Implement policies that are employee-friendly to encourage a positive employer-employee relationship. This way, the business accommodates employees’ needs, reinforcing their desire to work better.
Delivery Drivers: Takeaway
Delivery drivers are an essential component in expanding one’s business. But as important as they are, they risk their lives when they deliver a package. However, applying the correct practices improves their chances of avoiding these risks entirely. Keeping them safe is the business owner’s responsibility. As long as drivers are kept safe, the quality of their delivery services could improve further.
