Making money as a long haul truck driver requires late nights, long hours, and a lot of time away from home. With the added pressure of staying safe while hauling loads within a tight time-frame, it is not surprising that many truck drivers stress, depression, and fatigue.
Happy drivers are productive drivers. In order to maximize profits and keep the roads safe, trucking companies should consider implementing these practices and making a better work experience for their drivers.
5 Ways to Keep Your Truck Drivers Happy
- Hands-free software – equip your fleet with hands-free GPS technology to make a safer driving experience. Smart phone applications such as FleetSafer Mobile keeps drivers safe by eliminating the temptation to text, email, or browse the web while on the road. Drivers can control the app with voice activated commands and can even send an “I’m driving” message without having to press a button.
- Pay electronically – keep drivers happy with instant access to paychecks. Send money to fuel cards or directly deposit paychecks in drivers’ bank accounts so your fleet is never strapped for cash. Nobody wants to wait for their paychecks so make life easier for your drivers by providing them their hard-earned money as quickly as possible.
- Family time – trucking businesses should encourage their drivers to communicate with their family on a regular basis. With drivers forced to spend so much time away from home, regular communication with family and friends can have significant positive psychological impact.
- Healthy eating – truck drivers often find themselves filling up on fast food when on the road. Tight delivery time-frames and the abundance of highway side fast food leads to poor nutrition among many truck drivers. Educate drivers on nutrition and healthy eating habits to keep them happy, healthy and more alert.
- Preferred jobs – assign jobs based on the age, experience, or sleeping preferences of each driver. By matching jobs with driver strengths and preferences, loads will be hauled more efficiently and drivers will have a more enjoyable experience.
Benefits of Keeping your Drivers Happy
Keeping truck drivers happy is essential for several reasons, as it can lead to numerous benefits for both individual drivers and the trucking companies they work for. Here are some of the key advantages of prioritizing driver satisfaction:
- Retention of Experienced Drivers: Happy truck drivers are more likely to stay with a company for the long term. This reduces driver turnover, which is costly in terms of recruitment, training, and lost productivity. Retaining experienced drivers can lead to better efficiency and safety within the company.
- Improved Safety: Satisfied drivers are more likely to be engaged, focused, and alert while on the road. This can contribute to safer driving practices, reducing the risk of accidents and the associated costs, such as repairs, insurance claims, and potential legal liabilities.
- Enhanced Productivity: Happy drivers tend to be more motivated and productive. They are more likely to meet delivery schedules, adhere to regulations, and take care of their equipment, all of which contribute to a more efficient operation.
- Lower Recruitment Costs: Reducing driver turnover means that companies don’t have to invest as much in recruiting and training new drivers. This can lead to substantial cost savings over time.
- Positive Company Reputation: Trucking companies known for treating their drivers well tend to have better reputations within the industry. This can attract more driver applicants and increase the likelihood
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