Safety 2008 - ASSE - American Society of Safety Engineers

can protect them from false statements.By allowing them to record issues (suchas traffic problems causing servicedelays), a service problem (such as alocked gate that prevents access to aproperty) or a traffic collision that didnot involve their vehicle, drivers captureevents that could affect their driver’slicense and, ultimately, their career.To ensure a successful DRM program—andto maximize driver retention—itis important to communicate theprogram’s purpose, explain the logisticsof how it works and begin regular, consistentcoaching and training. Withoutthis, drivers will not understand the program,feel intimidated by the monitoringand, ultimately, leave the company soonerthan they originally planned. It isimportant that drivers understand that aDRM program isnot designed to bepunitive—nor doesit create new policies.Drivers willappreciate that theiremployer is providingthem with atool to improvetheir driver safetyand ensure compliancewith existingcompany policies.Keys toImplementingthe ProgramThe key to a successful DRM programis the way it is implemented. Followingare several tips to ensure a successfulDRM program implementation.•Get all stakeholders on board. Meetinternally with everyone involved sothey understand what the DRM solutionentails and what each individual’s rolewill be when executing the program. Besure to set guidelines on how quicklyincidents should be coached and howand where to provide that coaching.•Introduce the program to drivers.Host an orientation for drivers toexplain why the company is implementinga DRM solution and what benefitsdrivers will receive from the solution.Be sure to introduce the DRM solutionto the company’s drivers before theyever see a video event recorder in theirvehicles so they know what to expect.This would be a good opportunity tobring in the human resources department,which should have already beenbrought on board with the program.Finally, have all employees sign a formacknowledging that they were educatedon the DRM solution.•Deploy the solution in both driverand manager vehicles. This will sendthe message that implementing theDRM solution is not about an individualdriver; it is about making the organizationsafer as a whole.•Implement a rewards system. TheDRM solution is exception-based andwill only be triggered by force, making itdifficult to capture when drivers areexhibiting good driving behavior. Oneway to identify good behavior is bymeasuring the time or distance a drivergoes without triggering the solution.Create a program that rewards drivers inthese situations and recognizes themwhen they have reached a designatedmilestone. Offering rewards to driversreinforces the need to eliminate riskydriving behaviors.•Communicate continuously andconsistently. DRM programs are mostsuccessful when continual communicationis present. Show a meaningful drivingclip at safety meetings, circulatereports to upper management or includea column about the solution in everyBest Practices continued on page 46DriverFeedbackGreenRoad Safety Centerfrom GreenRoadTechnologies is adriver-friendly safetyproduct that providesreal-time, in-vehicledriver feedback andeliminates risky maneuversmade while driving.Drivers learn via agreen, yellow and rednotification during eachdriving trip. Productchanges the wayvehicles are driven,which helps reducevehicle crashes, repaircosts and CO 2 emissions,and improve fueleconomy.Request 27 atwww.psads.info.Vehicle TrackingSafefreight Technologies has released SmartFleetManager version 5, a GPS vehicle tracking and fleetmanagement system that provides real-time data onlineabout the location, safety and security of companyvehicles and equipment, and the workforce operatingthem. System monitors excessive speed, seatbelt use, highG forces experienced by the vehicle, maintenance alerts,vehicle rollover and impact (new for 2008 models), andmany other aspects of the vehicles. According tomanufacturer, the SmartFleet system gathers location andoperating information through a vehicle-mounted deviceand communicates that information wirelessly throughthe vehicle-to-Internet application, enablingfleet managers to improve safety and productivityin their operations.Request 28 at www.psads.info.Event RecorderDigital Ally Inc. introduces the new DVM-250 Pro, anevent recorder developed specifically for the transportationindustry. The DVM-250 Pro records and stores audio frominside and outside of the vehicle. In the case of an abruptchange in acceleration, sudden stop or other violentmaneuver, the event is automatically captured on video. Italso films in a continuous 30-second loop, so activities thatoccur 30 seconds before or after an incident are recorded.Device is integrated into the rearview mirror, taking uplittle space and making it easy to install.Request 29 at www.psads.info.CollisionPreventionRadar Safety Technologies LLC makesdrivers’ safety a top priority with thelaunch of its new product, the FrontAlertCollision Alert System. It featuresadvanced radar-based technology calledSafe Braking Distance, which calculatesvehicle speed, distance from the object,and closing speed between a vehicle andthe object, and alerts driver of a threat ornonthreat driving situation. When athreat is detected, the system displays ared light and an alert tone cautioning thedriver to brake, decelerate or take evasiveaction. According to RST, NHTSA researchshows that 1 second of alerting couldprevent up to 90% of rear-end collisions.Request 30 at www.psads.info.www.asse.org AUGUST 2008 PROFESSIONAL SAFETY 45