{"id":12024,"date":"2021-08-09T16:44:40","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T14:44:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=12024"},"modified":"2021-08-09T16:44:40","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T14:44:40","slug":"driving-behavior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/08\/09\/driving-behavior\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Talk to Your Employees About Tracking Their Driving Behavior"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo: Unsplash.com\/Paul Hanaoka.<\/em><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

If a fleet is planning a tracking program, they must approach it properly to ensure drivers are comfortable with the transition and understand precisely what is happening.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

There can be a bit of tension between fleets and drivers when it comes to tracking driver behavior. Drivers not only want their privacy, but their managers\u2019 trust, and fleet managers need to ensure that they are protected. Drivers, of course, have valid concerns, but there are many benefits to tracking driver behavior that everyone should appreciate.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a fleet is planning a tracking program, they must approach it properly to ensure drivers are comfortable with the transition and understand precisely what is happening. Following are some tips on how to talk to drivers about tracking driver behavior.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be Honest<\/span><\/h2>\n

The worst thing that can happen is drivers believing one thing and finding out something else is true down the line. Any miscommunication will lead to distrust and damage morale, so it is crucial to be honest. Being upfront and truthful with your employees about tracking their driving behavior shows that you respect them as members of your company. Tracking them in secret and trying to catch them in \u201cgotcha!\u201d moments can potentially make them feel paranoid and disrespected, which can, in turn, make them resistant to any fleet driver training you attempt to implement. Furthermore, being honest lets them know right off the bat what you\u2019re doing, why you\u2019re doing it, and how it will affect them, so there isn\u2019t a stream of questions coming in after implementation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Explain Why\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Employees aren\u2019t children who can be told to do this \u201cbecause I said so.\u201d They will respond better if they understand your rationale for making changes. First, you should explain the benefits that management gets out of tracking driver behavior. We will explain these benefits in greater detail below, but they include fewer costly accidents, a more productive fleet, and fewer vehicle breakdowns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, explain the benefits for drivers. Drivers will be safer, can enjoy rewards programs, and get more extensive training to add to their toolbelt. If drivers can see all the advantages of implementing driver behavior tracking, they will better understand why you are implementing it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Show How it Works<\/span><\/h2>\n

Drivers will feel a lot more comfortable working with a system that they understand. Show them how tracking works, preferably on both the management and driver\u2019s sides, before installing it in fleet vehicles. Drivers will have a better idea of precisely what the system tracks, what they will be rewarded or penalized for, and how they can use the system to improve. If they ever have any questions about how things work along the way, you can show them different aspects of the software so that they fully understand. They must have a clear picture to ensure that they are receptive when it\u2019s time for training or feedback on their behavior.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Implement Rewards<\/span><\/h2>\n

One worry drivers have regarding tracking driver behavior is that managers will criticize them for their mistakes. Make sure this isn\u2019t the case by focusing on coaching repeat offenses and on positive actions that your drivers exhibit. For example, Azuga has a driver rewards program that automatically tracks driver behavior and assigns them a score based on how safely they drive. If they have a high score, they can win coupons and gift cards. Implementing programs like this gamifies safe driving, creates a fun sense of competition, and takes the edge off tracking driving behavior.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many benefits of tracking driving behavior to discuss with your team. For example:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n