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Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember
Jun 17, 2021

The trucking industry is an excellent way to go into business for yourself. There are great predictions for the state of our industry in the next decade, and new fleet owners can cash in on that expectation. This business, though, does require some ongoing maintenance--and not just truck maintenance. A well-managed, robust fleet safety program should be at the core of all company policies for trucking companies.


The DOT estimates that the average cost of large truck crashes is roughly $91,000, and crashes with injuries cost almost $200,000. If a fatality is involved, that estimate jumps up to a staggering $3.6 million per crash. In addition to our duty to keep our communities safe, owners benefit from a strong fleet safety program because it means more time on the road, less time dealing with accidents, lower maintenance costs, and ultimately better ROI. Keep reading to learn how to develop a fleet safety program that works.

4 Must-Have Safety Plans for Trucking Companies

Solid Hiring Strategy

You can ensure a solid fleet safety program before your drivers even get on the road by prioritizing hiring good drivers. A careful driver recruitment process should be part of the safety plans for trucking companies. In addition to a standard interview process, spend time and money vetting and screening your potential drivers. Have a reputable background screening company look into your candidates’ employment histories, motor vehicle reports, and drug and alcohol violation histories. Never skimp on the pre-hire drug and alcohol test, either; you need to know that your drivers aren’t going to be impaired while representing you on the road.

Clear Safety Policies

During your driver training period (which is another important component of safety plans for trucking companies), it’s very important that you guide drivers through your safety policies and provide them with a copy of their own. Company policies for trucking companies should outline driver qualifications, licensing requirements, standard driver procedures and responsibilities, and a defined accident response plan. Your fleet safety program will hinge on drivers’ understanding of and adherence to these policies.

Vehicle Maintenance Plan

In addition to written policies and procedures, your fleet safety program should also include an outline for vehicle inspections, repairs, and maintenance. This will reduce expensive roadside breakdowns, but a vehicle maintenance plan is also an important part of the company policies of trucking companies because it keeps your drivers safe. Trucks that don’t malfunction, and drivers that aren’t stuck on the side of the road, will keep you and your team safe.

Regular Screening Process

Just because you ran a full-scale pre-employment background check on your new hire prior to hiring them doesn’t mean the background check is done. Ongoing, regular screening is just as important for your fleet safety program. Strong company policies for trucking companies often include a driver monitoring program, which provides real-time insight into any driving violations (whereas annual MVR recertifications might take months to find violations). Regular drug testing and continuous criminal monitoring may be worthwhile considerations for your fleet safety program, too. Several companies also offer devices that monitor your drivers’ actual driving, reporting critical safety events like speeding, hard braking, and other risky behavior back to you via your fleet management software.

With a strong fleet safety program, your trucking company can soar to new heights. Focusing on safety is good for your drivers, your bottomline, and your community.


Looking for advice to give your trucking company an advantage over the competition? Gold Star has years of experience consulting with trucking companies just like yours. Let’s discuss what you’re looking for, and we can determine if a simple consultation, a mentoring program, or an ongoing coaching program is the best fit for you.

Your Guide to the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program

17 Jun, 2021
It’s impossible to think of the trucking industry without considering Amazon. In 2019, the company delivered 4.5 billion packages in the United States . Their Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program enables anyone with some startup capital the opportunity to get involved in their massively successful business venture. There are pros and cons to becoming an Amazon DSP, but the steady stream of work is certainly eye-catching to start-up trucking companies. Amazon lays out some of the most important information , but let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers

17 Jun, 2021
A thorough, compliant background screening program for your drivers should be the backbone of your hiring strategy. Background checks ensure that your new drivers have all of the qualifications necessary to do the job well and to best represent your company out on the road. Background checks also, of course, weed out any drivers with disqualifying criminal histories, a history of driving violations, and substance abuse problems. That’s why they should be a standard part of your fleet safety program anyway (link to “Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember”). In our regulated industry, a DOT background check is required. Here’s how DOT background check requirements differ from standard employment screening.

Will Truck Driving Be Automated?

17 Jun, 2021
It’s the question on the minds of truck drivers, owners, and delivery companies everywhere: will truck driving be automated? Automated trucks have been a conversation point for years now, with many worrying that technology advances will put millions of people out of work. Despite these concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% growth for trucking employment in the coming years. While other industries struggle to adapt to new technology, the trucking industry is greatly benefiting from it. There are a range of opinions when it comes to this question, though most truck drivers seem confident that their jobs can’t (or at least won’t) be done by machines any time soon. Before getting into the trucking industry, it’s important that you take a look at the landscape and make an educated decision about it—but remember there will always be a need to move goods from one place to another, and the explosion in online ordering suggests that need is only going to expand. Let’s take a look at the current state of automated trucks as we dive into the question: will truck driving be automated?

What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping & How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?

17 Jun, 2021
Trucking and logistics is no longer just about getting materials from point A to point B. Much like consumers want to buy their products from socially responsible corporations or boycott businesses that don’t align with their beliefs, many companies want to work with trucking companies that prove they care about the environment. Whether due to their personal beliefs, to the corporate responsibility goals they’re mandated to meet, or to a desire to please their own customer base, you’re serving clients who will ask about your carbon neutral shipping practices sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start taking this topic seriously. Do you find yourself asking “what is carbon neutral shipping anyway?” Are you wondering why carbon neutral shipping might be a benefit? Curious to know how companies become carbon neutral? Keep reading to discover the answers to all of your questions about this climate-responsible approach to business.

What Do I Need to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
The trucking industry landscape is largely made up of small businesses—with over 90% of companies operating fewer than seven trucks—so there is room for you if you’re considering starting a small trucking business. Whether you’re a professional truck driver already or you’re just a prospective business owner looking to cash in on the projected growth in the industry, you can get on the road toward a successful business with our help. What do you need to start your own trucking business? Just a little bit of insight from Gold Star’s experts.

The Facts & Figures: How Much Does it Cost to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
Are you ready to work for yourself? Find yourself wondering how much does it cost to start a trucking company? Some estimates anticipate between $10,000 and $20,000 to get started with a small trucking company, assuming you don’t have to factor in the average cost of a semi truck. What goes into the cost of starting a logistics company? Let’s take a look.
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