As the population continues to age, the workforce is changing. As more and more organizations hire on more new employees, young people and apprentices, there is an increasing number of employees needing to trade up from driving a car to a bigger commercial vehicle, which, to the inexperienced driver, could result in a road safety issue. Interactive Driving Systems stresses the importance of leadership and supervision in driver management and offers tips for organizations recruiting and managing newer drivers.
Managers should:
- Ensure drivers read the manufacturer’s vehicle manual before driving/parking for the first time.
- Ensure drivers takes time to learn the vehicle's features, size, handling, blind spots, controls, mirrors, brakes, lights, and seat adjustment.
- Ensure drivers practice finding and using the controls and switches.
- Ensure drivers understand the manufacturer’s maintenance schedules and requirements for the vehicle.
- Ensure drivers are particularly cautious pulling off, cornering, braking, parking, on hills and picking gaps in traffic due to vehicle size and weight considerations they will not be used to in the early days.
Drivers should:
- Listen carefully to any advice and explanations when they collect their new vehicle.
- Adjust mirrors to provide maximum vision and minimize blind spots.
- Understand how to adjust head restraints and seat for comfort and safety.
- Wear their seat belt at all times while driving.
- Make sure the rear or side cargo doors are locked securely before each trip.
- Become familiar and comfortable with the size and responsiveness of the vehicle by initially driving in an area with little traffic.
- Be in complete control of the vehicle at all times.
- Understand the size and height of the vehicle, including the importance of taking extra caution when approaching bridges and canopies and when driving under overhanging trees.
- Take into consideration that vans need extra room to turn corners, particularly due to the length of the vehicle and the position of the rear when maneuvering.
- Be coached to make use of the increased visibility from the higher driving position and remember to use exterior mirrors more often.
- Take tight bends slowly as tall vehicles can tip more easily due to their height and increased centre of gravity.
- Control their speed and not following other vehicles too closely. Larger vehicles require a much longer braking distance than cars, especially when carrying a load or in poor weather.
- Pay extra attention when reversing or parking and safely asking a competent person to guide them if their vehicle has blind spots.
- Be extra careful when changing lanes, paying particular attention to two wheelers and pedestrians.
- Understand the road handling characteristics between the van when full and empty.
For more information from Interactive Driving Systems regarding management coaching on work-related road safety visit www.virtualriskmanger.net/mission.
