American Trucking Associations estimates annual driver turnover among long-haul commercial truck drivers nearly approaches 100%. Fleet managers scramble to find drivers to meet demand, often spending beyond their budget to recruit and hire – only to see those same drivers leave for the competition. It’s a vicious cycle that costs the industry an estimated $4 billion annually and has slowed growth for many trucking companies.
WHY IS DRIVER RETENTION SUCH A CHALLENGE?
Breaking that vicious cycle depends upon understanding what drives it. Why do so many drivers jump from fleet to fleet, and how can fleet managers increase driver retention? When researchers asked drivers why they chose to leave a company, a few expected answers were revealed:
- The potential of greater pay elsewhere
- The hope for a greater work/life balance
- Personality conflicts with supervisors
Research shows these three complaints contribute to nearly 81% of all driver resignations. However, there is a fourth reason that is given nearly as often as those standard refrains that you may not have considered, and yet is an issue you, as a Fleet Manager, can directly affect and improve:
Drivers will leave a company that does not care about their vehicles’ condition and proper maintenance.
Why does this matter? Consider the long hours and numerous miles one of your drivers puts in. That truck is your driver’s home away from home and needs to provide a certain level of comfort and reliability. If the truck itself is perceived as an uncomfortable or unsafe environment, the driver will be unhappy – and unhappy drivers quickly become former employees.
We offer several solutions to help ensure your fleet’s vehicles are well-maintained, safe, and comfortable.
ONLINE MAINTENANCE GUIDE: THE LIFE OF A TRUCK
Whether you run a fleet or are only beginning your driving career, this guide will help you understand the little things that add up to big wins in fleet productivity. Click here to download the guide today!
KEEP DRIVERS COMFORTABLE
Driver comfort begins where the rubber meets the road, literally. Tires that are unevenly worn or out of balance are among the most common causes of poor ride quality. Specifically, driving tires out of balance causes fatigue among drivers on the road. The vibrations caused by tire issues can shake a truck – and its driver – to the core. Beyond causing excessive wear-and-tear on a vehicle, constant vibrations on the road have been proven causes of back pain, joint and leg pain, headaches, vision problems, and more. Driving tires that are out of balance causes fatigue in drivers on the road.
EQUAL FLEXX solves the challenge of constantly balancing tires and ensuring even wear. Working within the tire, FLEXX is redistributed with every rotation. This allows it to adjust to changing conditions throughout the life of each tire, correctly balancing the tire and consistently dampening vibrations. In addition to creating a more comfortable ride, FLEXX extends tire life and creates fuel savings, meaning your driver spends more time on the road – and less time in the shop.
LESS DOWNTIME, MORE TIME AT HOME
Tire safety issues are also a number one concern for drivers, most notably punctures and blowouts. Nearly anything – a stray nail, a shard of glass, an unseen crack in the tire lining – can cause a tire to fail, putting your driver temporarily out of commission and in danger at worst. As he’s standing around waiting for repair, he knows he’s losing drive time (and money and time at home). Frustration builds, and your driver may soon begin to dwell on the parts of the job that irritate him most.
STS TIRE SEAL provides preventative protection against punctures and blowouts, creating an immediate and permanent repair anytime the tire is compromised. Easy to install and proven to perform, tire sealants like STS TIRE SEAL should be part of every driver’s road kit.
SAFETY AT A GLANCE
In addition to being comfortable, a driver wants to know he is safe on the road and that his truck will pass a CSA inspection. CSA violations reflect poorly on both the fleet and the driver, and nothing is more dangerous than the risk of losing a wheel. Normal wear and tear on a commercial truck will result in wheel nuts loosening over time, increasing the risk of a wheel-off. When that happens, the results can be deadly.
That’s where the LUG LINX Wheel Safety System helps out. By providing a clear visual indication of nuts that need to be tightened, while also retaining lug nut movement, pre-trip preparations are more efficient, giving your drivers peace of mind knowing their wheels will get them to their destination safely and in compliance with CSA standards.
SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Nobody wants to feel unsafe or uncomfortable in their workspace. Happy employees are far less likely to leave and are also more productive and profitable, and your drivers are no different.
As a Fleet Manager, finding simple and cost-effective solutions to big problems like driver retention can be challenging – but if done correctly, it will have a positive impact on your profits, people, and customers. This is why outfitting your fleet with innovative solutions like EQUAL, STS TIRE SEAL, and LUG LINX is one business decision that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Your drivers are important. Keep them happy.