Driver retention is an ongoing issue within the transportation sector. Great West Casualty Company believes motor carriers would be wise to consider retention solutions from the driver’s perspective if they hope to remain competitive. This would also limit the business interruptions caused by driver turnover. Below are the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) critical issues in the trucking industry for 2018; on this list, you can see that drivers and motor carriers do not share the same concerns. This difference in views is important to point out because if a motor carrier wants to attract and retain quality drivers, it needs to create a culture and work environment that addresses driver concerns.
So, how can motor carriers use the ATRI Top 10 list to improve driver retention?
The top three concerns of drivers are HOS, truck parking, and the ELD mandate. The HOS and ELD regulations will not change any time soon, so motor carriers must plan to meet compliance requirements. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has helped ease the burden by revising the personal conveyance rule to allow drivers to find the nearest safe parking or rest location after their HOS are exhausted. However, if the FMCSA’s allowance isn’t enough, motor carriers may need to alter their operations to alleviate the burden further. The key is to communicate with drivers to understand their issues and make a genuine effort to try to find a compromise. Perhaps nothing within reason can be done, but the effort shows drivers that the company cares about their issues and is willing to find a solution together. This show of support can boost morale, increase performance, and improve turnover rates.
Similarly, operations staff can serve their internal customers (drivers) better by assisting them to find better parking options. Dispatchers can route drivers to areas with more parking spots, plan required breaks during times when parking is in less demand, or schedule and pay for parking in advance. Actions like these can help alleviate stress and help drivers focus on driving rather than being distracted by thinking of where they will be parking for the night.
Call to Action
- Survey drivers to gather their feedback on the issues that are most important to them.
- If personal conveyance is authorized, develop a policy outlining appropriate use.
- Develop a driver health and wellness committee.
