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7 Companies That Are Accelerating Fleet & Driver Safety

How do you keep your company’s drivers safe on the road? And how do you minimize the risks and costs associated with a motor vehicle accident?

The answer is a driver safety program. Driver safety programs have been shown to greatly reduce the risks faced by employees. What’s more, many insurance companies offer policy discounts for companies that implement a driver safety program. 

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If you’re looking for ideas for your own driver safety program, look no further than these 7 companies that are accelerating driver and fleet safety: 

1. CFI 

CFI, a North American leader in transportation and logistics, was recently recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) for its outstanding safety track record. The Missouri-based trucking company safely racks up over 100 million miles a year thanks to its Straight Forward Safety program, which culminates in an annual Safety “Roadeo” where professional drivers compete in a safety obstacle course and show off their skills. Top competitors from this event go on to compete in the state level competition.

2. DTE Energy

How do you keep utility workers safe on busy, icy Michigan roads? DTE Energy’s answer was to integrate vehicle safety into its new hire and ongoing curriculum for employees. The Michigan utility has invested in simulators, training videos, and more to ensure its drivers are prepared for any situation. The simulators allow DTE to train new workers and provide refresher training on hazardous situations without putting employees in real danger.

DTE’s simulators prepare bucket truck drivers and construction crews for challenging situations in a typical work environment. (Image Source: Work Truck Online)

3. Ford Motor Company

From pioneering the use of safety glass to hosting the first National Safety Forum, Ford Motor Company has always been a leader in vehicle safety. So it should come as no surprise that Ford is also advancing driver education through its Driving Skills For Life program. The program pairs teens and new drivers with professional instructors and focuses on issues like hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed and space management, and distracted and impaired driving. Driving Skills For Life has provided more than $60 million in free advanced driver education.

4. Frito-Lay 

At Frito-Lay, safety training begins at onboarding for new hires and continues throughout drivers’ careers. The snack food giant uses a combination of online training, in-cab training, and classroom instruction to train new drivers. It also utilizes skills maneuvering courses, advanced driving simulators, and team collaborations on best practices to help its existing drivers maintain their skills. As a result of its extensive driver training and skills development effort, Frito-Lay now has more than 600 active ‘Million Milers’ — drivers who have completed one million miles without an accident —  on the road today. 

5. UPS

UPS offers an intense driver training boot camp, called Integrad, for new driver candidates and aspiring supervisors. In 2021, UPS reimagined Integrad to deliver driver safety training virtually with the launch of its Mobile Training Academy. The Mobile Training Academy, which is housed in two 53-foot trailers, travels around the country to bring the classroom to the students. Inside, drivers use virtual and augmented reality to practice driving scenarios in realistic conditions. They are also able to practice everyday skills like lifting real packages, sorting inside the vehicle, maneuvering their hand cart, safely getting on and off the vehicle and navigating their walk path.

UPS' Mobile Training Academy uses virtual reality and simulations to improve safety engagement and enhance the way drivers learn. (Image Source: UPS)

6. US Army

More soldiers are killed every year in motor vehicle accidents than in combat. As part of the Army’ efforts to reduce preventable on- and off-duty deaths, it has developed the Army Traffic Safety Training Program (ATSTP). The ATSTP contains a variety of courses for different audiences, including Local Hazards Classes for all soldiers and civilians and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) for motorcycle riders. 

7. Walmart

After adding more than 14,000 new truck drivers in 2018, Walmart decided it was time to overhaul its truck driver orientation. Candidates attend a week-long onboarding at one of two facilities in Arizona or South Carolina. The onboarding includes targeted one-on-one mentoring from veteran Walmart drivers. As a result of the new orientation program, the onboarding time for new drivers has been cut in half. 

At Walmart's truck driver orientation, new hires have an opportunity to observe veteran drivers and practice their skills “the Walmart way”. (Image Source: Walmart) 

Your takeaway

From training new hires to helping existing employees maintain their skills and recognizing safe drivers, we hope these seven driver and fleet safety program examples will inspire you to implement your own safety initiatives. For more ideas to enhance your safety program, download our free safety calendar with 70+ events and observances.

Download the free 2023 workplace safety calendar