A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) study found that vehicle failure was a key factor in about 10% of truck crashes, with poor maintenance of brakes and tires being major factors. These factors and more could be mitigated with the right preventative maintenance program.
Three Major Safety Benefits of Maintenance
Disabled vehicles can’t generate revenue, so of course preventative maintenance makes an enormous impact on the overall quality of a fleet’s performance. But preventative maintenance helps guard against the risks that arise over the course of a vehicle’s use and makes an even bigger impact on safety. Below we explore the top three safety benefits of maintenance programs.
- Maintenance Ensures a Safe, Functioning Asset – It seems obvious to mention, but it’s important to remember that preventative and regular maintenance’s sole function is to ensure that your vehicle is fit for purpose. A safe vehicle means a safe trip, and preventative maintenance is the best way to make certain that your business does not suffer because a vehicle is unexpectedly out of commission. By keeping your assets running at their best, your business is protected against lost revenue, damaged reputation and eager competition.
- Maintenance Keeps the Driver Informed – Regular check-ups and maintenance overviews give the driver a good understanding of their vehicle and its individual requirements. Say your vehicle tends to make a certain unusual sound, regular check-ups can help the driver know what needs to be addressed, and how urgently. By taking into account the daily Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) and keeping an open dialogue between maintenance technicians and drivers, both parties can keep abreast of the vehicle’s needs, increasing driver confidence on the road.
- Maintenance Protects Everyone on the Road – Not all maintenance issues are something as unassuming as an odd sound, or a light that needs changing. A blown tire, failed brakes or disabled turn signals can all lead to major incidents and cause accidents that result in damage to vehicles, injuries to drivers and possibly even death. The stakes are higher than it might seem at first glance. And should a transportation business suffer such an accident, litigation and fines can cause financial hardship and tremendous heartache.