As a manager in the transportation industry, you are responsible for providing quality service in a timely fashion, but at the same time ensuring that your drivers aren’t engaged in unsafe behavior. Because a transportation operation can be held liable in the event of an incident on the road, employers are going above and beyond the mandated level of risk management. Driver distraction is a major issue for managed care and PACE sites. This is mainly because drivers are required to report on trip data, locations, arrival times, no shows, and even more on their manifests in order to meet eligibility and funding requirements. But because of the need to maintain schedules, drivers are tempted to get back on the road before entirely completing these entries. This can result in a driver trying to fill out manifests while driving, which in turn leads to a huge safety issue.
How Well Can Drivers Multitask?
If you take a look at this National Safety Council’s infographic on multitasking, you’ll understand the many challenges drivers face. The best way to reduce risk is simply to reduce distraction. When drivers can enter trip data electronically and quickly (when stopped safely), there is less of a chance they will need to enter data when driving. Automation software that provides a connection between a driver and dispatch is a tool to help managed care operations function more safely. By employing software connected with an in-vehicle mobile data app, drivers can focus on one task at a time, which greatly improves their work flow and the quality of service provided to their rider.
Managed Care Software and Mobile Data App
Technology like cellphones have improved communication, which is certainly beneficial for a transportation business. Managed care software goes beyond cellphone technology to provide more services, while reducing the risk that cellphone usage poses. A mobile data app is installed on an affordably priced consumer-brand tablet or smartphone and functions just like any other mobile app, so drivers can quickly become comfortable with the interface. By using familiar gestures like swiping and touching a screen, drivers can enter (or access) data regarding updates to schedules, late arrivals of participants, confirm arrival or departure times and much more.
Achieving Safety Goals As Well As Service Goals
There are obviously more benefits to mobile data solutions than just improved safety. Because all information is immediately synchronized with dispatch, the status of all trips can be monitored in real time. If communication is required between dispatch and drivers, canned or custom text messages can be sent out so drivers can review incoming information when it is safe to do so. By monitoring the location of vehicles on the road, you can be warned about off-route violations that can destabilize your daily schedule. Then, you can safely alert drivers so they can better manage their schedule.
If your drivers are still using paper manifests and entering data on the fly, you need to see how managed care software and DriverMate can achieve better results while enhancing both safety and service. Get in touch for more details.
