How to Improve Roadway Safety with Driver Behavior Scoring

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In the world of commercial trucking, safety and efficiency are critical. With trucks constantly on the move, the responsibility of ensuring safe and timely delivery falls squarely on the shoulders of truck drivers.

However, given the myriad challenges they face on the road, from adverse weather conditions to unpredictable traffic patterns, monitoring and improving driver behavior becomes imperative at the fleet level. When left unchecked, poor driving habits, including cell phone use and speeding, can lead to drastic consequences for your employees and business as a whole. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in their most recent annual census, transportation incidents accounted for 2,066 fatal occupational injuries in 2022.

This is where driver behavior scoring systems come into play, offering a data-driven approach to enhance safety, efficiency and overall performance in commercial trucking.

Driver Behavior Scoring: Understanding the Basics

Driver behavior scoring is usually facilitated through telematics and onboard monitoring systems, such as electronic logging devices (ELDs). This evaluation involves the continuous collection and analysis of various metrics related to driver actions and performance behind the wheel. These metrics encompass a wide range of parameters, including but not limited to:

• Speed
• Acceleration
• Braking
• Cornering
• Idling time
• Adherence to traffic rules and regulations

By evaluating these factors in real-time, fleet managers gain valuable insights into the driving habits of their personnel, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and implement targeted interventions as necessary.

Monitoring Driver Behavior Improves Roadway Safety

At the heart of driver behavior scoring lies the objective of promoting safer driving practices. By monitoring speed, for instance, fleet operators can identify and correct instances of excessive speeding, a significant risk factor contributing to road accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2022.

Similarly, monitoring aggressive driving behaviors like harsh braking or abrupt lane changes allows fleet managers to address potential safety concerns before they escalate, fostering a culture of responsible driving among truck drivers.

Through timely intervention, drivers can be encouraged to adhere to speed limits and all roadway rules, reducing the likelihood of collisions and enhancing overall road safety. Strategies to correct poor driving habits include:

• Leading training programs: Provide drivers with the training and resources they need to be successful on the road, including a review of traffic laws and regulations, crash prevention strategies and guidance on proper vehicle operation.
• Establishing clear performance benchmarks: Set relevant goals for your drivers to achieve like regular seat belt use, adherence to posted speed limits and optimal engine use. Using driver behavior scoring, businesses can assign grades for driver performance and show how these scores compare to the fleet’s averages.
• Creating a safety incentive program: Recognizing and rewarding drivers who consistently demonstrate safe and efficient driving practices further reinforces positive behavior, creating a culture of excellence within the organization.

The implementation of driver behavior scoring systems also serves as a catalyst for fostering accountability and incentivizing performance improvement among truck drivers. By setting fleet-wide goals and providing feedback based on objective data, drivers are empowered to take ownership of their actions and strive for continuous improvement.

While driver behavior scoring holds immense potential for enhancing safety and efficiency in commercial trucking, its successful implementation hinges on several key elements. First, ensuring the privacy and security of driver data is paramount, requiring robust protocols for data collection, storage and access. Second, effective communication and training are essential to garnering driver buy-in and fostering a collaborative approach towards performance improvement.

Driver Behavior Scores Yield More Accurate Risk Assessments

Fleet managers and safety personnel are not the only ones who can use driver behavior scores. Insurers are also able to use this data to understand the true risk a fleet represents. By partnering with fleet operators and leveraging telematics data, insurers gain valuable insights into the driving habits of individual truck drivers and the fleet as a whole.

This data-driven approach enables insurers to assess risk more accurately, allowing them to tailor insurance premiums based on the demonstrated level of risk associated with each driver or fleet, not just the losses the fleet has experienced. As a result, embracing technology and a positive safety culture should lead to an overall reduction in a fleet’s total cost of risk.

Driver behavior scoring represents a transformative tool in the realm of commercial trucking, offering a data-driven approach to enhance safety and performance on the road. By leveraging real-time telemetry data to monitor and analyze driver behavior, fleet operators can proactively address safety concerns, optimize operational efficiency and cultivate a culture of responsibility and excellence within their organizations.

At the same time, fleet owners should be open to leveraging this data with partners, such as insurers, to demonstrate that they are a better risk and realize insurance savings. At Alliant Transportation, our goal is to provide holistic, cost-effective transportation insurance coverage and risk mitigation strategies to minimize financial losses and maximize business growth. Reach out to Alliant Transportation today to learn more about how we can help you leverage your telematic data to save up to 15% on your insurance costs.