Driver training is a critical part of any fleet’s safe driving program. It involves a variety of methods and can be done behind the wheel or through online remote training.
When drivers are properly trained, they will develop a positive driving attitude and defensive driving techniques. This will reduce their risk of accidents and help your company avoid costly insurance claims.
Basics
Driving is an important skill, and it’s essential to learn the basics well before developing advanced skills. It’s like building a house; the basic skills have to be in place before you can build on them and become a safer smarter driver.
One of the most basic things you can teach your driver is to keep your distance from other vehicles when possible. This will reduce your risk of being involved in an accident, and it will make you a better, more confident driver overall.
Another key skill you can teach your driver is to use mirrors correctly. This will help them avoid swerving and drifting in traffic, and it will also help them see the road better.
Once you’ve taught your student how to use mirrors correctly, it’s time to move on to other aspects of driving. This can include driving up and down hills, using a roundabout, and driving through intersections.
For the first few driving lessons, you can practice these skills on quiet streets or empty parking lots. This makes it easier for your student to concentrate on the task at hand, and it gives you a chance to watch them complete the task without any distractions.
As you practice these skills, it’s important to point out any mistakes they make, as this will help them develop a better understanding of how they should behave behind the wheel. It’s a good idea to use a gentle, encouraging tone when teaching your student about these basics.
The majority of accidents happen on the road, so it’s critical to be aware of your surroundings and drive safely. This means being alert, not getting angry or distracted, and leaving plenty of room between your vehicle and other cars on the road.
Practicing these basics will also help you to develop a positive attitude on the road, which can make you more cautious and prevent accidents from happening in the first place. It will also help you to avoid the stress that comes from being behind the wheel, which can affect your concentration and make you less safe.
Safety
Safety is one of the most important aspects of driving. Whether your employees drive for work or use their personal vehicles, they are exposed to a lot of risk and need to be taught how to avoid dangers on the road.
The safest drivers drive defensively – they look ahead and scan for risk, and they react to danger quickly to avoid accidents. This means avoiding other cars who are distracted by phone calls or text messages and preparing for a driver who suddenly swerves in their lane or changes speed unexpectedly.
Defensive drivers are also aware of what other drivers do – especially in intersections where more than 80% of collisions occur. They don’t just slow down as they approach a green light, they look left, right, then left again to ensure that the cars on the opposite side of the street aren’t blocking their view.
As a smart leader, it is your responsibility to educate your drivers about safety on the road so that they can protect your business. A comprehensive driver training program will provide your employees with the information they need to be safer on the road and reduce your liability risks.
When your drivers are trained, they will feel more comfortable putting their lives on the line for your business – and they’ll be safer behind the wheel. They’ll be more likely to follow traffic laws and stay alert to other hazards, which will help you avoid costly vehicle incidents and keep your costs low on commercial fleet insurance rates.
Another key benefit of driver safety training is that it will give your drivers a sense of pride in their work and their ability to protect the company and their passengers from harm. They’ll want to share their knowledge and skills with others in your organization, which can lead to a more collaborative workplace.
Older drivers who have been on the road for years can still benefit from driver safety training, especially if they haven’t driven much in the past. Drivers over age 50 are more susceptible to changes in their driving skills and health that can impact their ability to assess traffic situations and respond to them rapidly.
Road Rules
Driving is a skill that requires careful attention to road rules. Learning these rules will help you stay safe and avoid tickets. It will also help you get along with other drivers on the road.
One way, speed limit and railroad crossing signs are all important because they tell you the limits of your travel on a specific street or highway. You should be aware of these limits, as they change relatively often.
For example, if you are traveling on an expressway with snow or fog and the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour (88 km/h), you should probably be driving at a much lower rate, such as 45 or 50 mph (72 or 80 km/h). This will ensure that you have enough time to react in the event of a crash.
Similarly, if you are approaching an intersection with traffic lights, be sure to slow down and yield to the vehicle with the right of way. This is especially important if you see another vehicle that may be inattentive or aggressive.
A good way to keep your eyes on the road is to check your mirrors frequently and scan conditions about 10-15 seconds ahead of you. This will allow you to spot vehicles and other hazards that may be hidden from your view.
As you drive, be aware of other cars, pedestrians, cyclists and animals on the road. Paying close attention to your surroundings can prevent accidents and even road rage.
When following other vehicles, try to maintain a 3- to 4-second following distance between you and the car in front of you. The three- to-four second rule works in normal traffic under good weather conditions, but you should increase it for bad weather, rain or fog or other variables that make the vehicles ahead more difficult to see.
If the vehicle ahead of you is tailgating or braking too quickly, move to a different lane if you can. If you can’t, reduce your speed and pull off the road to let them pass. This will create space and prevent them from tailgating you, which can lead to a collision.
Driving Conditions
When it comes to driving, you need to be aware of the conditions around you and take steps to keep yourself and your vehicle safe. For example, if you are driving in the rain or snow, it is important to pay extra attention to traffic and other vehicles on the road.
Weather-related road conditions can increase your risk for a crash, regardless of your skill level or experience as a driver. In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), one-quarter of large truck accident fatalities occur in rainy or other poor weather conditions.
The best way to prepare for these types of conditions is by learning about the different driving situations you might encounter when you are on the road. This includes how to drive safely under adverse weather conditions, night driving and when an emergency arises.
If you are driving at night, it is essential to make sure that you have good visibility. This can be done by wearing sunglasses and using your sun visor. In addition, you should avoid looking directly at oncoming bright headlights and look well ahead to the right for road edge markings.
During the rain, it is also vital to ensure that you can see where you are going. For this reason, you should keep your headlights on low beam so that other drivers can see you.
Another important thing to remember when you are driving is that your speed should be matched to the conditions on the road. Higher speeds mean that it is more difficult to control your vehicle should an accident or other situation arise.
It is also important to be able to brake early, especially when you are changing lanes or coming to an intersection. This will allow other drivers to know that you are slowing down and that they can give you space to come to a stop.
It is also a good idea to have an escape route in case something happens to your vehicle. This can be a garage, the nearest rest area or even your home. This will help you get away from dangerous situations without causing further harm to others on the road.