Harriet Tubman, Annie Oakley, Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Amelia Earhart, Shirley Chisholm, Maya Angelou, Barbara Walters, women who were the first in their generation to go to college, like my mom… I could go on and on! These are the pioneering women of America that I think of who have challenged gender stereotypes and the status quo to pave the way for the next generations of girls and women. You go, ladies!
…and Celebrating Women in Trucking!
In honor of Women’s History Month, I’d like to give a big shout out to the organization “Women in Trucking”. Their mission is to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, to celebrate women’s accomplishments and minimize obstacles to their success. I thank you for everything you do to make the transportation industry inclusive for me and all women!
Latest Industry News
CEO, Clayton Cavell, on a panel at the TMC Annual Meeting
Our CEO, Clayton Cavell, appeared on a panel of experts at the Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition on February 28th to discuss the emergence of autonomous vehicle technology and its repercussions for trucking insurance.
Clayton noted that there is a question regarding ownership structure in terms of whether the technology is going to have a disparate impact on smaller fleets. He indicated that a system in which truck manufacturers lease out vehicles instead of selling them could make matters easier for insurance providers from a products liability and negligence perspective.
“I think there would be a certain ease to that,” Cavell said. “But that’s not how autonomous vehicles are going to proliferate. We’re already seeing it. They’re bought by the large trucking companies or distribution companies, and they’re being put into use.
“Short of massive regulatory change or legislative change that drives the industry in a different direction, I don’t see there really being any difference in how that liability is transferred.”
Fleet owners: The importance of KPIs for performance gains
Key performance indicators are a critical tool for fleets looking to identify weaknesses and address them strategically.
Let’s take a basic example of breakdowns. There are industry statistics available that cover things like miles between breakdowns. You can see how you measure up to those industry averages. If you are below the average range, meaning your trucks are breaking down more often, you can set a KPI to lengthen the time between breakdowns. However, setting the KPI is not enough. Your next step is to review your breakdown records to see what is causing your trucks to breakdown. Is it a lack of maintenance? Poor driving skills? Poor vehicle spec’ing? Any number of factors can lead to breakdowns.
Your goal is to identify the problem and figure out what needs to be done to fix it—additional training for technicians on certain maintenance procedures, a driver refresher course on how to avoid hard braking, a spec review with your truck manufacturer, etc. Once you have put a system in place to address the problem, then you need to monitor your progress toward meeting the new goal.
Loss Control Resources
Accident Investigation & Reporting
The best way to control long-term claims costs is to establish and train employees on the proper method for accident investigation and reporting. Accident investigation and reporting are critical in reducing the costs of both workers’ compensation and vehicle accidents.
Fuel Spills
Fuel spills resulting from vehicle accidents can be very expensive. Regardless of the circumstances, the spill generator is liable and responsible for cleanup. Costs of a fuel spill can be reduced with proper planning and training, and managing the fuel spill with immediate and appropriate response.
Congratulations to Collins Brothers Moving Corp., for Winning the National Safety Award from the Moving & Storage Division of the ATA
Accepting the Fleet Safety Award on behalf of Collins Brothers Moving Corp. were Bob Dawson, safety director, and Steve Noake, EVP of operations. Both were presented with the award at the ATA MSC conference, held this month, in Florida.
This award recognizes moving companies that hold superior highway safety records. A special thank you to our partners at Kirkwood Insurance (Pleasantville, NY) for bringing innovative safety solutions to the table for their clients.
