Trucking can be a risky business. A carrier’s profitability depends largely on the state of the wider economic market, which can be impacted by everything from natural disasters to legislation changes. There are steps trucking companies can take to safeguard their operations despite outside unpredictability, however.
For example, carriers can create a regular practice of reviewing their drivers’ driver motor vehicle records (MVR) in order to flag any issues early and sidestep potential pitfalls in the future.
Outside of pre-hire background checks, carriers are only federally mandated to review these MVRs once a year. Doing the bare minimum, however, creates an environment that makes it easy for issues to fall through the cracks. The consequences of this can range from costly fines to financially devastating litigation.
“Every day that a disqualified driver operates a CMV is like waiting for a bomb to explode. If the driver is in a crash, the carrier will pay regardless of whether they were at fault. The driver shouldn’t have been there,” according to J. J. Keller Sr. Transport Management Editor, Mark Schedler.
It is important to note that the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) 2022 update of the Crash Predictor study establishes the increased risk of DOT accidents if MVR violations are left unaddressed. Some of these most risky events are, unfortunately, also on 2024’s top roadside driver violations.
The riskiest violations include:
- A Failure to Yield Right-of-Way violation (141 percent risk increase)
- A Failure to Use / Improper Signal conviction (116 percent risk increase)
- A past crash (113 percent risk increase)
- A Reckless Driving violation (104 percent risk increase)
- A Failure to Obey Traffic Sign conviction (85 percent risk increase)
When drivers with existing unaddressed violations or disqualifications make these driving errors and are involved in an accident, the carrier can be held liable based on a negligent supervision claim. This all but guarantees a tough day in court.
“Reacting to driver violations when they show up on the annual MVR and delaying the correction of unsafe behavior almost guarantees an excessive verdict due to negligent supervision if those drivers are in a crash,” said Schedler.
More frequent MVR checks allow carriers to identify and address driver violations or license status changes much sooner. This enables quicker intervention and remediation before issues escalate. Additionally, many insurers offer discounts to carriers who conduct more frequent MVR monitoring. Monitoring gives carriers an improved risk profile and signals a proactive safety stance that can translate to lower premiums.
Companies can proactively monitor MVRs more frequently on their own using a third-party system, such as J. J. Keller’s Encompass® Fleet Safety & Compliance System, which makes the process easier and often more reliable.
“Two things are usually true in trucking: Bad things happen in the 365 days between MVR checks, and drivers don’t always report those bad things (warnings, violations and suspensions) when required,” Schedler added. “Avoid the increased risk and potential liability of pulling MVRs once per year and reap the benefits from using an expert third party ongoing monitoring service.”
Carriers can access a plethora of benefits by relying on a system like J. J. Keller’s Encompass:
- Timely notification of changes to MVRs like expired CDL medical certifications, administrative suspensions due to failure to pay child support and loss of driving privileges due to exceeding licensing agency point totals
- Improve driver retention by delivering coaching and other remedial actions in a timely manner so they never reach the point where termination is the only option
- Promote safer driving behaviors by identifying and mitigating potential risks promptly, reducing the likelihood of accidents.
- Protect Unsafe Driving BASIC scores by helping carriers to remove unsafe drivers from the road fast.
- Automate the process of tracking and managing driver records, saving time and resources.
As technology continues to evolve, the trend towards more frequent driver monitoring is likely to accelerate. Forward-thinking carriers that embrace these tools and practices now will be well-positioned to build safer, more efficient fleets in the years to come.
The future of fleet safety isn’t just about reacting to incidents, it’s about predicting and preventing them. More frequent MVR monitoring is a key step towards that proactive approach.
By moving beyond the minimum annual MVR check requirement, carriers can create a culture of continuous improvement, reduce their risk exposure and save lives on the road. The initial investment in more frequent monitoring pays dividends in enhanced safety, compliance and operational efficiency.