ADTS: In The News

The Case for Improving your Drivers' Skills

NAFA Fleet Executive
November 2001

"Just having a license doesn't mean you can operate a motor vehicle safely"

Funny how an employee can be praised for an aggressive, go-get-em attitude in his work, but expected to turn it off when he's behind the wheel.

Poor guy. He's probably got quotas to meet, appointments to book, calls to make, people to impress, a phone in his ear and a datebook in his lap — and quite possibly, an accident right around the corner.

So what does "defensive driving" mean to him? That all depends on what he's been told, what he's been taught, and what the safety culture of his company is.

Every day in this country, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), some 118 people are killed in motor vehicle accidents, and another 6,300 are injured. In 1999, the last year for which statistics were available, that added up to 43,000 deaths, 2.3 million injuries, and costs of $201.5 billion.

And part of the problem, those in the industry say, is that driver safety is too often seen as something that begins when the driver steps into the car, rather than the moment he steps into the office as a potential employee. How is it at your own organization? Does that potential hire know that his motor vehicle records will be under scrutiny, not only now, but also in the future? Is he told that a poor record might hinder his chances of getting the job, and consistent violations might hinder his chances of keeping it? And will he have access to programs that can help him drive more effectively, whether or not he's in a company car or on company time?

Jim Solomon, the NSC's defensive driving course program development and training manager, said that companies are increasingly realizing that "just having a license doesn't mean you can operate a motor vehicle safely."

Companies are realizing, too, that their drivers need instruction beyond what they got from a gym teacher back in high school. And it's not just "the rules of the road." Training programs today also focus on attitude, motivation behind bad habits, and the importance of taking responsibility for the choices that are made. Ideally, drivers enter these programs as they enter the company, but training — and retraining — can be applicable all along the way.

"We don't teach people how to drive. We improve them," said Phil Moser, national sales manager for Advanced Driver Training Services Inc. in King of Prussia, Penn. "Often, we'll ask drivers, 'Are you a bad driver, or do you have bad habits?' They may say they're bad drivers, because they do this or that... But we point out that these are bad habits, and motivate them to want to get rid of those bad habits. Someone might tell me, for example, that when they have their kids in the car, they drive more safely. And I'll ask them, 'OK, so you don't want to see your kids get hurt. But if you get hurt or killed when they're not in the car with you, will that affect their lives?' And you can see the light bulb go on. They realize they need to drive safely all the time."

Sometimes, however, poor driving may seem out of our control. We may find ourselves making the same mistakes again and again, consistently speeding though we know we shouldn't, constantly running red lights even after "near misses," or following other cars too closely on a regular basis.

What gives?

Solomon said it's not carelessness. Rather, it's "could care less." He refers to Dr. William Glasser's theory of the five basic needs of the individual for explanation. Those needs include fun, freedom, love and belonging, power and survival. And when it comes to driving, power is the one that tops the list.

"People who get a lot of tickets are trying to fulfill their need for power," he said. It can fall into the categories of assertive or competitive behavior, but all comes down to being the one in charge. Unfortunately, that's often mixed with an avoidance of responsibility. "People will do what they want, and they will do it when they want to, regardless of the risk," he said. "We have a culture in which people say, 'If I can afford a speeding ticket, why should I slow down?' "

Sometimes, companies will overlook poor driving records in individuals who are otherwise "essential" to the company. But stepping in with an offer of training, Moser said, can provide an opportunity to let those employees know that you care enough about them to think of their own safety. It should be noted that, poor driving habits aside, anyone who drives a car more than the average individual has a higher chance of being in an accident just because of the increased time on the road. An average driver, for example, may travel only 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year, but a corporate driver whose work requires them to be on the road may go 25,000 to 30,000.

For that reason, some companies offer training to all fleet drivers, regardless of record. Still others offer it to all employees, plus family members if they so desire. "Our policy here is that driver training is like drug testing," Solomon said. "It should be everybody. I have a clerk, for example. She drives to work every morning. Why shouldn't she be a better driver, too? And should the CEOs out there, whether driving their own vehicles on company time, or driving company vehicles, be any different?" That all-inclusive attitude has no doubt helped the NSC grow through the years. Considered the mother of driving training programs, the organization trains some 3 million people every year. Its first safety video for professional drivers came out as far back as the 1930s, and today, there are almost 40 programs available, including basic defensive driving, the attitudinal dynamics of driving, coaching for new drivers, coaching for mature drivers, coaching for the sales professional, and specialty training. Costs for the programs vary, depending on whether the NSC does the training, or people within the organization are coached to perform it themselves.

Customized Training

Advanced Driver Training Services, on the other hand, offers programs specifically designed to meet each organization's needs, training through hands-on instruction, seminars and consulting. They've been around since 1983, and all instructors are former or present highway safety officers. ADTS trains more than 5,000 people a year.

Of course, there's no rule that says driver training has to come from outside your organization. Some groups have matched their unique needs with unique programs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for example, has created its own series of videos, including everything from taking care of a car to driving in adverse conditions. Because about 60 percent of the organization's fleet is driven by missionaries — and those missionaries are by and large in their late teens and early 20s — special emphasis is placed on doing things right. In addition, missionaries go through interviews concerning their driving history before going into the mission field, and are continually evaluated with regard to performance. It's also possible that poor performance will cause the church to revoke their right to drive one of its vehicles.
Other Options

No doubt, as potential driving distractions increase, and the numbers and costs of motor vehicle accidents increase right along with them, a continuing array of driver training programs will appear on the horizon. Technology presents new options, as well. Consider, for example, Web-based training and tracking programs, which will allow fleet managers to better keep up with employee records. And then there are driver simulators, which are already in place for industries like trucking. Werner Enterprises, one of the largest truckload carriers in the United States, recently spent $800,000 on a joint project with Lockheed Martin. The simulator, based in Omaha, Neb., allows drivers to experience various road and weather conditions in the cab of a real truck, with full motion and views out all the windows.

Other companies, such as GE Capital I-Sim in Salt Lake City, Utah, offer simulators for both trucks and automobiles. Potential uses include law enforcement, emergency services, transit authorities and the National Guard.

However, no matter what the industry — and no matter what programs end up in place — the thing to remember is that caring about the safety of employees is not just good PR. Sure, it might help save on insurance premiums, and it could prevent a lawsuit or two. But beyond that, ADTS's Moser said, you've got to remind people "what's really important."

"And the most important thing is that they get home safely," he said. "You've got to set a safety culture, and it needs to start from the beginning."

Safety Mistakes

If you drive a lot — whether it's a lengthy commute or actually part of your job — it can be all too easy to lose yourself to the road. You know how it is. Sometimes the miles fly by, and you can't remember the scenery you've just seen. Once you relax, however, your opportunity for an accident increases dramatically. Take note of the following "mistakes," offered by Phil Moser of Advanced Driver Training Services, to increase your safety consciousness:

· Not paying attention. Be wary of distractions such as using a car phone, eating, or reading a map while driving.

· Following too closely. When you stop behind another vehicle, you should be able to see the tires of the car in front of you.

· Not scanning to the front, side and back. Stay aware of your surroundings so you won't be surprised. · Not slowing down for bad weather. Rain, snow, sleet, hail and the like not only affect the road, but also the other drivers around you.

· Not buckling up. Remember: In an accident, anything that's loose in the car is likely to be thrown around. People included.

· Not keeping your hands on the wheel at the proper position. If your hand is at the top of the wheel, and you have an airbag, a crash could send your fist right into your face.

· Not allowing enough time to get where you need to go. If the weather forecast calls for storms, for example, do you plan to leave the house earlier?

· Not knowing where your "escape routes" are. All along the way, keep watch for split-second options you have in the event of trouble.

Reprinted with permission from NAFA's Fleet Executive, November 2001, www.nafa.org.