In recent years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has named April Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and for good reason. Stats are alarming. In 2019, for example, distracted driving killed more than 3,000 people. In the trucking industry alone, about 500,000 accidents occur yearly in the U.S., with the numbers increasing every year for more than a decade. And in the towing industry, the average annual fatality rate was about 50 deaths for every 100,000 employees—much higher than in other sectors, according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports.
Putting these risks under the lens has triggered many commercial fleet owners in the fields of towing and transportation to take a harder look at the strategies and tools they have in place to improve driver safety. Many of these mechanisms begin with a total overhaul of a company’s risk management plan, which relates directly to its insurance coverage policy. But the key ingredient is not a traditional pen-and-paper contract, but rather a multi-pronged approach to developing a comprehensive driver safety program that saves lives and drives down costs for the company.
eMaxx is a tech-enabled captive insurance company that specializes in risk management, particularly in niche markets that include towing and transportation. This industry leader has created a team of technology, legal, business and policy experts that understand the special needs of this sector and deliver innovative solutions that keep up with trends but maintain constant benefits. Driver safety training is one of the most important tools eMaxx offers in this area. Through its highly successful ‘Elevate’ initiative, members have 24/7 access to cutting-edge online ELive Connect learning tools to fulfill continuing education requirements and ultimately change driver behavior over time. Members also have access to a proprietary Telematics Exchange (that harnesses over 50 providers) which uses software solutions, analytics and a data warehouse that stores and evaluates transportation behavior. The driver safety system also includes dashboards for vehicle use, garaging, radius territory, speeding, fleet footprint, accidents, weather conditions, venue data and claims.
All of these features cover sectors ranging from towing to trucking. In fact, one of the best truck driver safety tips is an investment in telematics and electronic logging devices, which most experts agree are sure-fire ways to minimize risk and reduce loss costs. In the trucking industry, telematics technology typically combines GPS with on-board diagnostics, which read the motion of the rigs. It also enables management to monitor the vehicles in their fleet and check driving habits, including speeding, swerving and unusual lane changing. Dash-cams are also a winning way to leverage safety mechanisms.
Experts across the nation agree that the best way to elevate driver safety and prevent accidents is by modifying behavior. Engaged and compliant drivers are key to corporate success. Take your insurance policy to the next level and invest in technology that will save lives and cut costs. Consult with an eMaxx professional today.
