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.
Learn more about general freight.
