Fleet driver virtual training allows drivers to take online lessons and courses that teach them safe driving skills for use in real-world situations. The online virtual training gives drivers the chance to learn the skills they need from wherever they have an internet connection, making it more convenient for fleet managers to train drivers.
Driver training is one of the main focuses of fleet managers. It’s a key part of increasing safety, reducing risk, and lowering costs. While insurance can help cover costs involved with vehicle crashes, fleet driver virtual training is more impactful because it helps eliminate problems before they happen.
Fleet and safety professionals who have not yet used fleet driver virtual training usually have questions about how it works, who should use it and other details. The following provides answers to fleet driver training FAQs.
Instructor-led virtual training is a proactive step fleet managers can take to improve the safety of their drivers while also addressing twenty-first century risk exposure and lowering crash rates. Because of the human toll and high costs of collisions, fleet driver training works well for organizations of all sizes. Many fleets decide to seek out training providers because of difficulties in lowering crash rates to acceptable levels. Others are looking for more advanced skill development courses for vehicle control, improved visual competencies and constructively challenging risk taking through objective self-assessment.
Virtual fleet driver training focuses on the key issues that challenge drivers and the leading contributors to crashes. They include distracted driving, situational awareness, aggressive driving, and poor vehicle control habits.
Drivers watch videos that focus on developing better driving habits and on ways to reduce the chance of collisions in a variety of situations. In the case of the DrivActiv eLearning from Driving Dynamics, data from more than 200,000 fleet-related crashes is used to give drivers training on specific issues. They include hazard perception, overburdened infrastructure, distracted driving, awareness of surroundings and vehicle control.
Managers looking to convince executives of the need for training may want more information on cost savings. One direct cost savings is the cost to repair vehicles involved in collisions. But crashes also have other, more significant costs, including the potential for liability claims, medical bills, higher insurance costs, loss of productivity from the driver, legal fees, and the impact on the reputation of a business.
It’s important to note that fleet driver virtual training also supports a company’s corporate social responsibility. The same commitment to reduce injuries in a factory should extend to fleets.
Virtual training has the ability to reach more drivers. One of the biggest roadblocks to training is the time it takes to bring drivers in off the road to do training. Virtual training alleviates this issue. Many fleets combine virtual training with in-person, behind-the-wheel training where drivers can improve their performance by learning advanced, defensive safety techniques in a controlled environment.
Better drivers. And that’s something that has a significant impact. Vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of employee deaths in the United States. Better drivers reduce the risks on the road. They learn how to drive safely in a variety of situations and develop better reaction times. That’s a benefit for all drivers on the road. A study done for Driving Dynamics by a third party found that fleets that put drivers through virtual training experienced a 21 percent reduction in crash costs.
Some fleets see the value in having drivers also engage in e-learning, personal coaching assessments, simulator training and more. In many cases, in-person training also is combined with virtual training. The smart approach is to find a company that offers a variety of options, making it easier for fleet managers to pick the combination that best meets their needs.
Fleet driver virtual training offers a fresh, improved approach to giving drivers the tools and skills they need to improve performance. For fleets looking to reduce crash rates and lower costs, it provides them a big step toward achieving their safety and financial goals.