Our industry continues to struggle with finding enough drivers and technicians to service and drive trucks. When was the last time you heard a young boy or girl say, “When I grow up, I want to be a truck driver or truck technician”? Not a week goes by without someone asking me what they can do to recruit new drivers and technicians. My first response to that question is, “What are you doing to keep the good drivers and technicians you currently have?”

In today’s employment environment, if you are not actively working to retain your employees, someone else is actively recruiting them from you! While there is no single answer to driver and technician retention, there are several proven methods you can implement to reduce turnover. One is to develop a career path for all your employees. Another common term for a career path is a driver or technician elevation program. If an employee does not have a clear vision of what they can achieve with your company, they are likely to become disengaged and eventually leave.

Both drivers and technicians will leave a company for a pay rate that is only slightly higher than what they currently earn. I recommend tying training and pay increases together. We have implemented a career path program in our Atlanta facility and tied pay increases to the amount of training a technician completes. Technicians can increase their pay by completing training and passing examinations. This program benefits both the employer and the employee.

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We benefit by having technicians who are more skilled and educated, resulting in reduced turnover and fewer comeback repairs. Technicians can repair and service units more efficiently, and they enhance their careers through education while increasing their pay. Imagine the savings you could achieve with all employees operating at the highest level of education and pay!

Additional Tips for Retaining Good Drivers:

  1. Review Company Policies and Procedures
    Ensure your policies are honest, forthright, and achievable by your drivers. The number one reason drivers leave a company is the perception of dishonesty.

  2. Recognize Drivers as Assets
    Drivers should feel valued as a critical part of your company’s operations and performance.

  3. Involve Drivers in Operations
    Regularly involve drivers in key areas, such as equipment selection, accident review committees, policy discussions, and customer service. Develop a genuine relationship with your drivers, showing concern for their welfare and longevity. This relationship should be consistent across all levels of management.

  4. Review Pay and Benefits
    Ensure your pay and benefits are competitive within the industry.

  5. Maintain Vehicles
    Implement a systematic maintenance and inspection program to provide drivers with safe and reliable vehicles.

  6. Provide Ongoing Training
    Drivers who receive regular training and are elevated in their positions are less likely to leave.

  7. Adhere to Hiring Standards
    Qualified, experienced drivers do not want to be associated with companies that hire substandard drivers.

  8. Conduct Comprehensive Orientation
    Provide structured, thorough training for new drivers. They need to understand company policies and procedures before being placed into service. If these are introduced later, drivers may feel misled and leave.

  9. Recognize Achievements
    Celebrate driver achievements such as safe driving, longevity, and customer service excellence. Personalize recognition with items like coats, decals, and plaques, and present awards in the presence of peers for added significance.

  10. Conduct Exit Interviews
    When a driver leaves, conduct an exit interview—either in person or via a mailed evaluation form. Understanding the true reasons behind their departure can provide valuable insights for improvement.

Have You Had a Non-Preventable DOT Recordable Accident?

Don’t Forget About the FMCSA Crash Preventability Program!

fmcsa

Motor carriers and drivers can challenge the preventability of certain crashes through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP). Approved non-preventable DOT-recordable crashes can be removed from your CSA scoring, offering significant benefits.

How the Program Works:

FMCSA’s CPDP reviews 21 specific crash types and updates information in the Agency’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) to identify crashes as "Not Preventable." If you were involved in an eligible crash, you can submit a Request for Data Review (RDR) through the Agency’s DataQs system. This submission must include:

  • The required police accident report
  • Supporting documents, photos, or videos

Once the FMCSA determines a crash is "Not Preventable":

  1. Crash Indicator BASIC Adjustment: The crash is removed from the calculation of the Crash Indicator Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) in the SMS.
  2. Visibility of Determinations: Although removed from scoring, "Not Preventable" crashes will still be listed on the FMCSA website, with the determination noted.
  3. Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) Updates: A note is added to the PSP indicating the crash was not preventable, improving employment prospects for drivers with these incidents in their history.

Benefits of a Non-Preventable Determination:

If a crash is deemed "Not Preventable," the FMCSA will:

  • Improve Carrier Scores: Remove the crash from the carrier’s "Crash Indicator" score in the CSA system, reducing the likelihood of targeted enforcement actions.
  • Enhance Driver Employability: Add a note in the PSP indicating the crash was "Not Preventable," reducing the risk that the driver will be overlooked for employment due to their crash history.

Crash Eligibility With Four Additional Crash Types Added December 1, 2024

As of December 1, 2024, the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) has been expanded. Crashes occurring on or after this date follow the updated eligibility list detailed below, while crashes prior to this date are reviewed under the previous standards. Note that the FMCSA cannot review crashes older than five years. For eligibility requirements for crashes occurring before December 1, 2024, click here.

Eligibility Criteria for the CPDP

The following crash scenarios are eligible for review under the expanded program:

  1. Rear-End Collision: The CMV was struck in the rear by another motorist.
  2. Side Collision (Rear): The CMV was struck on the side at the rear by another motorist.
  3. Side Collision (Same Direction): The CMV was struck on the side by another motorist traveling in the same direction.
  4. Wrong-Way Driving: The CMV was struck because another motorist was driving in the wrong direction.
  5. Illegal Turn: The CMV was struck because another motorist was making a U-turn or performing an illegal turn.
  6. Stopped or Parked Vehicle: The CMV was struck while legally stopped at a traffic control device or parked, including while unattended.
  7. Failure to Slow or Stop: The CMV was struck because another motorist did not slow or stop in traffic.
  8. Traffic Control Violation: The CMV was struck because another motorist failed to stop at a traffic control device.
  9. Impairment: The CMV was struck because another individual was under the influence (or a related violation, such as operating while intoxicated) per the jurisdiction's legal standard.
  10. Medical Emergency: The CMV was struck because another motorist experienced a medical issue contributing to the crash.
  11. Driver Fatigue: The CMV was struck because another motorist fell asleep.
  12. Distracted Driving: The CMV was struck because another motorist was distracted (e.g., using a cellphone, GPS, interacting with passengers).
  13. Debris or Cargo: The CMV was struck by cargo or equipment from another vehicle, or debris (e.g., fallen rocks, trees, or unidentified items in the road).
  14. Infrastructure Failure: The CMV crash resulted from an infrastructure failure.
  15. Animal Collision: The CMV struck an animal.
  16. Suicide Attempt: The CMV crash involved a suicide death or suicide attempt.
  17. Entering Roadway: The CMV was struck because another motorist was entering the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot.
  18. Loss of Control: The CMV was struck because another motorist lost control of their vehicle.
  19. Non-Motorist Crash: The CMV was involved in a crash with a non-motorist.
  20. Unusual Crash Type: The CMV crash involved rare scenarios (e.g., being struck by an airplane, skydiver, or a deceased driver).
  21. Video Evidence: Any other crash involving a CMV where video evidence demonstrates the sequence of events leading to the crash.
    Crash Preventability

FMCSA Webinar Next Thursday on Changes to the Compliance Safety and Accountability (CSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS).

Date & Time:

January 16, 2025, 2:00 PM CST

Register Here

Join the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for a webinar series to learn about the upcoming changes to the Safety Measurement System (SMS) methodology used to prioritize carriers for Agency intervention.

Part 1 of this series will cover the following three SMS enhancements:

  1. Reorganized BASICs – Now called "Compliance Categories."
  2. Violation Groups – Groupings of similar violations for better clarity.
  3. Simplified Severity Weights – Streamlined weighting of violations for easier understanding.

FMCSA is currently redesigning the SMS web system to reflect the results of the new methodology. The anticipated launch date of the updated system will be announced in the coming months. Until then, FMCSA will continue to use the current SMS to prioritize motor carriers for intervention.

This webinar follows the March 2023 webinar series conducted during the open comment period for the proposed changes. The approval of these updates was announced in the November 20, 2024, Federal Register notice.

Why is FMCSA Updating SMS?

With input from a diverse group of stakeholders—including government agencies at all levels, industry professionals, non-profits, advocacy groups, researchers, and the public—the FMCSA has identified changes to enhance the Safety Measurement System (SMS). These updates are designed to build on the solid foundation of SMS and improve its fairness, accuracy, and clarity.

Where Can I Learn About the Approved Changes?

Detailed information about all the approved changes to SMS is available on the CSA

CSA

Prioritization Preview website.