Six Compelling Case Studies on the Power of Cognitive Fitness Assessments

In today’s dynamic fleet environment, ensuring driver and public safety demands innovative approaches that go beyond traditional methods. By integrating cognitive fitness assessments into daily operations, fleet managers are now able to identify potential risks early, intervene proactively, and implement targeted improvements. The following six case studies illustrate how Impirica’s cognitive assessments have not only flagged dangerous behaviors but also uncovered underlying issues—from substance abuse and hidden health conditions to distractions and personal stressors—leading to decisive actions that enhance overall safety and operational excellence.

Unmasking the Hidden Danger: Early Detection of Drug-Induced Impairment

A routine cognitive assessment flagged a driver for high-risk, prompting further investigation that revealed cocaine use. This early detection empowered the fleet to enforce disciplinary measures and sharpen its impairment monitoring.

Download the full case study to discover how proactive screening can prevent dangerous incidents.

Beyond the Wheel: Revealing Hidden Health Risks Impacting Driver Performance

Irregular driving patterns led to a high-risk flag on a cognitive assessment, ultimately uncovering unmanaged sleep apnea. With treatment initiated, the driver returned safely, while the fleet expanded its focus on sleep-related risks.

Download the case study now to learn how uncovering hidden health issues can transform driver safety.

Shifting the Focus: From Cognitive Screening to Tackling Distracted Driving

Despite frequent safety flags, a low-risk cognitive assessment ruled out impairment, shifting the focus to habitual distracted driving. The investigation revealed phone use violations, leading to enhanced monitoring and policy revisions.

Download the full case study to see how ruling out impairment can redirect efforts to tackle real safety challenges.

Heartbeat of Safety: Early Intervention in Uncovering Critical Health Risks

When a veteran driver began exhibiting near-miss incidents, a cognitive assessment flagged him as high risk. Subsequent medical evaluations discovered undiagnosed heart disease, prompting life-saving intervention and timely surgery.

Download the case study to explore how early detection of hidden health conditions can avert crises.

Mind Over Matter: Addressing Emotional Strain to Enhance Road Safety

A high-risk score on a routine assessment revealed underlying emotional distress stemming from a personal crisis. The intervention enabled the driver to access necessary support, highlighting the critical impact of mental wellness on driving performance.

Download the case study to discover the importance of addressing mental health for enhanced fleet safety.

Precision in Hiring: Proactively Identifying Risk Before They Hit the Road

Integrating cognitive assessments into the hiring process flagged a candidate as high-risk. A subsequent behind-the-wheel evaluation confirmed unsafe behavior, preventing a potentially hazardous hire and reinforcing the value of pre-employment screening.

Download the case study to uncover how proactive risk assessment in recruitment safeguards your fleet.

Transform Fleet Safety, Retention, & Efficiency with Cognitive Fitness

As the transportation industry faces increasing pressures to improve safety, reduce costs, and retain high-quality drivers, Impirica’s cognitive fitness assessments have become a game-changer for fleet management. Our case studies showcase how integrating cognitive evaluations into hiring, wellness, and safety protocols can lead to measurable improvements in driver quality, safety performance, and financial efficiency.

Whether you’re a fleet manager, safety professional, or recruiter, these case studies provide valuable insights and real-world results that can help you make data-driven decisions for your fleet’s future.

Download each case study to discover the transformative benefits of cognitive assessments for your organization.

Cut Collisions, Boost Safety, & Protect Your Bottom Line

In an industry where safety is paramount, reducing collisions and improving fleet performance can make all the difference. Learn how a commercial fleet with 1,537 drivers achieved an 8% reduction in collisions and a 7% decrease in preventable accidents by integrating Impirica’s cognitive assessment. This case study reveals the transformative impact of cognitive testing in identifying high-risk drivers and proactively improving safety across the fleet.

Ready to drive safety forward? Download the full case study to see how cognitive assessments can revolutionize your fleet’s safety protocols.

Hire Smarter, Drive Safer: How Cognitive Screening Transforms Driver Quality

The key to a high-performing fleet starts with hiring the right candidates. In this case study, two fleets screened 10,500 pre-hire candidates, improving driver quality and performance through Impirica’s cognitive assessment. By identifying drivers with superior cognitive resilience, these fleets enhanced training outcomes, on-the-job performance, and retention—creating safer roads and operational stability.

Don’t settle for anything less than the best. Download the case study now to learn how you can raise your hiring standards and achieve long-term fleet success.

Cut Costs, Prevent Incidents: The Proven Impact of Cognitive Assessments on Fleet Safety

Safety isn’t just a priority—it’s a financial imperative. Discover how three fleets—ranging from commercial to school bus services—achieved $590,000 in annual savings by reducing incidents, improving driver safety, and enhancing passenger confidence. This case study showcases the financial and safety benefits of implementing Impirica’s cognitive assessments in fleet operations.

Want to reduce your incident rates and save big? Download the full case study to explore the proven impact on your fleet’s safety and finances.

Reduce Turnover, Save Big: The Cognitive Assessment Advantage in Driver Retention

Driver retention is a constant challenge—and a high cost to your bottom line. This case study reveals how a commercial fleet improved driver retention by 7.17%, reducing turnover and saving $340,000 annually by using Impirica’s cognitive assessment to select candidates with greater cognitive resilience. Improve retention, reduce training costs, and create a more stable workforce.

Ready to reduce turnover and boost retention? Download the case study to see how cognitive assessments can help you build a more stable and successful team.

Unlock Annual Savings with Cognitive Assessments for Your Fleet

When it comes to fleet operations, every dollar counts. This case study illustrates how a fleet of over 2,100 drivers saved $590,000 annually by improving hiring practices and reducing collisions through Impirica’s cognitive evaluation. Streamlining hiring, reducing incidents, and enhancing operational safety can lead to significant financial benefits for your fleet.

Want to maximize savings and improve financial performance? Download the case study to see how cognitive evaluations can deliver long-term value to your fleet operations.

Introducing Our Proud Provider Program

We are excited to announce our new “Proud Provider Program”, a network designed to make ExceleRATE assessments easily accessible across Canada.

The Strength of Our Proud Provider Program

At Impirica, we believe in making every aspect of driver assessments smoother, faster, and more accurate. The Proud Provider Program is our response to this commitment. It brings together a network of qualified providers, handpicked to deliver you exceptional insights into your drivers’ fitness for duty.

Why This is a Game Changer

How the Proud Provider Program Works

Getting an ExceleRATE assessment through our Proud Provider Program is simple:

  1. Contact Impirica for the list of providers
  2. Contact Proud Provider to book an ExceleRATE driver evaluation

Should you have any questions or require guidance, our dedicated team is ready to assist you. 

Feel free to contact our team to learn more about ExceleRATE and the Proud Provider Program at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Impirica Team

Driving High: New Study Detects Cognitive Risks Associated With Driving While Under the Influence of Cannabis

Quick Summary

[EDMONTON, AB – July 19, 2023] The Colorado School of Public Health has published cutting-edge research on the risks associated with driving under the influence of cannabis. The study utilized Impirica’s trusted impairment risk assessment, Vitals Mobile (Vitals), to assess the effects of cannabis on driving abilities.     

The study, titled “A Latent Variable Analysis of Psychomotor and Neurocognitive Performance After Acute Cannabis Smoking”, was conducted at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. It involved participants who use cannabis occasionally or daily, as well as a control group of non-users.  

Using Vitals, the study revealed that occasional users exhibited slower reaction times in a simple task, while chronic users demonstrated slower reaction times in a complex judgment task. These findings highlight the risks associated with driving under the influence of cannabis, particularly for chronic users. 

“This exciting milestone in Impirica’s journey reinforces and confirms what we, at Impirica, along with other thought leaders, have long hypothesized,” said P-J Barclay, CEO of Impirica.  The insights gained from this study are crucial for successfully navigating a world with legalized cannabis and are vital to the ongoing evolution of our solution suite, enabling us to provide the market with the most advanced proactive impairment risk measurement tools. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone involved in this project, whose dedication and expertise ensured the highest quality of research.” 

This research study contributes significantly to addressing the safety concerns associated with whether a person is at risk to drive while using cannabis.   

Vitals, developed by Impirica, is an impairment risk assessment tool designed to provide insight into a driver’s fitness for duty based on their cognitive and functional abilities to drive.  

More Information

For more information about the study: https://www.publications.sciences.ucf.edu/cannabis/index.php/Cannabis/article/view/156  

For more information about Impirica’s suite of cognitive-based solutions, please visit: https://impirica.tech  

About Impirica: Impirica is a leading provider of cognitive-based solutions, leveraging 30 years of industry experience to ensure safer roads, workplaces, and communities. Their flagship product, ExceleRATE, is a first-of-its-kind proactive risk assessment tool tailored for commercial drivers. Impirica’s suite of solutions utilizes SAAS technology to determine impairment risk, regardless of the cause. With a commitment to innovation and safety, Impirica continues to empower decision-makers with confidence in their risk assessments.  

CONTACT INFORMATION  

Impirica Public Relations  

[email protected] 

TTSAO Proudly Supports Impirica to Bring ExceleRATE, Proactive Driver Risk Evaluation, to their Members

[Edmonton, Alberta], [May 25, 2023] – Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) and Impirica team up to create safer roads in Ontario by implementing the ExceleRATE program across the province.  

ExceleRATE is a proactive driver risk evaluation designed to answer the question of driver fitness-for-duty. The program addresses the challenge of identifying impairment risk resulting from underlying medical conditions, which traditional training methods may not detect.  

For the initial roll out of the ExceleRATE program, a select number of TTSAO registered schools will be offering ExceleRATE to their existing and prospective clients for third party evaluations. As part of this roll out, TTSAO members will be the only approved schools in Ontario to offer this cutting-edge technology for driver assessments. 

“Joining forces with associations like TTSAO is vital for ExceleRATE to reach and help as many drivers as possible.” said P-J Barclay, CEO of Impirica. “TTSAO’s commitment to excellence in training aligns perfectly with our vision, and we are excited to work together in promoting the highest standards of driver assessments and training.” 

Philip Fletcher, President of TTSAO, stated, “We are proud to advocate for Impirica’s ExceleRATE program as a game-changing solution for driver assessments and training. By embracing innovative technologies, we can enhance the quality level of drivers on our roads and maintain public confidence in the trucking industry. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to excellence in training.” 

The partnership between Impirica and TTSAO highlights their shared dedication to advancing driver assessments and training, promoting safety on the roads, and fostering continuous improvement within the trucking industry. 

About TTSAO

The Truck Training Association of Ontario (TTSAO) is compiled of the top truck driving schools in Ontario and major trucking industry influencers who have a common goal of striving for excellence in training. Working together, the TTSAO drives the training standard of the Ontario trucking industry. Through government advocacy, peer mentoring, Canadian trucking industry stakeholder meetings, educational conferences, and Association support services, we ensure our members have a prominent voice in the Canadian Trucking industry. TTSAO members are well informed and provide a positive support network for one another. Our Industry partners form key association advisory groups. The expertise of the Carrier Group, the Insurance Group and key suppliers ensures our member schools and the TTSAO are always on the cutting edge of the industry. 

Learn more about TTSAO: https://ttsao.com/ 

Contact: Philip Fletcher, President of TTSAO 

TTSAO Phone: 1-866-475-9436  

Email: [email protected] 

About Impirica

Impirica provides decision-makers with the confidence that people are safe. With 30 years of industry experience, their suite of cognitive-based solutions leverages SAAS technology to determine impairment risk, regardless of the cause, ensuring safer roads, workplaces, and communities. Their flagship product, ExceleRATE, is tailored for commercial drivers and is a first-of-its-kind proactive risk assessment that facilitates timely driver-based decisions for pre-hire, return to work, and performance evaluations.  

Learn more about Impirica: https://impirica.tech 

Media Contact: Wade Carson, Marketing & Communications Lead | Schedule a meeting with Wade Carson

General Inquiries: [email protected] 

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Impirica Announces TAG Logistics Corporation as a Trusted Provider of ExceleRATE Program

[Edmonton, Alberta], [May 16, 2023] – Impirica Inc. (“Impirica”), a leader in performance-based impairment testing, is excited to announce that TAG Logistics Corporation (“TAG Logistics”), Canada’s premier comprehensive service provider for the Transportation and Warehousing Industry, is the first company to be recognized in our trusted providers program.

TAG Logistics will use Impirica’s flagship product, ExceleRATE, which includes the in-office Vitals-Mobile, on-road CORE and Trip Inspection assessments. ExceleRATE is a proactive driver risk evaluation validated to answer the question of driver fitness-for-duty.

“We are honoured to work with TAG Logistics, to offer the ExceleRATE program to the transportation industry in Alberta. Their level of knowledge, expertise, and dedication to safety, make them a great fit for our trusted providers program,” said PJ Barclay, CEO of Impirica.

TAG Logistics President Darran Chambers shared his enthusiasm for being involved in the trusted providers program: “We are pleased to work with Impirica and use ExceleRATE in our driver assessment programs. Over the past year, we have seen and experienced the value ExceleRATE assessments provides to our decision makers when determining fitness and risk. We are excited to be able to offer this program out of our Calgary and Edmonton locations.” 

To learn more about TAG Logistics’ ExceleRATE program and other services, please contact Darran Chambers at TAG Logistics, [email protected].

Tag Logistics Corporation

For over 30 years, TAG Logistics Corporation has maintained its standing as Canada’s premier comprehensive service provider for the Transportation and Warehousing Industry.  We are committed to our clients, consistently surpassing quality and safety standards while delivering a complete bank of Professional Recruitment, Employment Screening, Training & Staffing Services.

Learn more about TAG Logistics: taglogisticscorp.com

Impirica

Impirica provides decision-makers with the confidence that people are safe. With 30-years industry experience, their suite of cognitive based solutions leverages SAAS technology to determine impairment risk regardless of the cause ensuring safer roads, workplaces, and communities. Their flagship product, ExceleRATE, is tailored for commercial drivers and is a first-of-its-kind proactive risk assessment that facilitates timely driver-based decisions for pre-hire, return to work and performance evaluations.

Learn more about Impirica Inc.: impirica.tech

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Impirica Announces KRTS Transportation Specialist Inc. as the First Ontario Trucking School to Offer ExceleRATE, Proactive Driver Risk Evaluation

[Edmonton, Alberta], [May 18, 2023] – Impirica, a leader in performance-based impairment testing, is proud to announce KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc. (KRTS), a premier transportation and construction training school as our first Ontario-based trucking school to offer our flagship product, ExceleRATE.

KRTS will use ExceleRATE, which includes the in-office Vitals-Mobile, on-road CORE and Trip Inspection assessments, is a proactive driver risk evaluation validated to answer the question of driver fitness-for-duty.

“We are proud to have KRTS support the ExceleRATE program” said P-J Barclay, CEO of Impirica. KRTS positions us to be able to offer ExceleRATE assessments to more organizations which supports our mission of creating safer roads, as well as provides insight into driver risk for decision makers.”

Matt Richardson, Vice President of KRTS, expressed his excitement for working with Impirica, stating: “We are excited to be the first transportation training school in Ontario to utilize the ExceleRATE program. ExceleRATE will provide valuable insights into a driver’s fitness based on their cognitive and functional abilities to drive. We are committed to a high level of training and evaluations, and working with Impirica provides us with another tool to support our team to continue to achieve these goals.

To learn more about KRTS, the ExceleRATE program and other services, please contact at Matt Richardson at [email protected].

KRTS Transportation Specialist Inc.

KRTS is Canada’s leader in the transportation and construction training industries with a network of over 400 companies. Our team at Kim Richardson Transportation Specialist Inc. believes in quality education whether it’s for training with a company driver or for an individual. With over 30 years of quality service our reputation speaks for itself.

Learn more about KRTS: https://www.krway.com 

Impirica

Impirica provides decision-makers with the confidence that people are safe. With 30-years industry experience, their suite of cognitive based solutions leverages SAAS technology to determine impairment risk regardless of the cause ensuring safer roads, workplaces, and communities. Their flagship product, ExceleRATE, is tailored for commercial drivers and is a first-of-its-kind proactive risk assessment that facilitates timely driver-based decisions for pre-hire, return to work and performance evaluations.

Learn more about Impirica: Impirica.tech

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Are You Still Doing the Same Old Road Test?

With an increasing need to be proactive in risk management, it might be time to look at your road testing practices. The transportation industry has adopted modern technology to manage its fleet, so why are companies still doing the same old road test?

What is the same old road test?

With a lack of direct guidance on this topic, companies are left to create their own road-testing requirements. These requirements vary by location and driver evaluator and, in many cases, follow the same practices used over 20 years ago. They start with a pre-trip inspection to gauge the driver’s understanding of a vehicle inspection and then move on to the road test. Driver evaluators typically use pen and paper to document observations, provide directions during the road test, and finish by delivering their subjective opinion of the driver’s ability to the company decision-makers.   

So, what’s wrong with the same old road test?

Let’s highlight the gaps identified when performing the same old road test to answer this question. 

  1. No two road courses are created equal. 
  2. No two driver evaluators are equal. 
  3. What is your road test not telling you?

No two road courses are created equal.

Road course design can vary by the terminal and by driver evaluator. Companies with multiple terminals may not realize how drastic the differences are from one road test to another. Even driver evaluators might have their preferred route compared to a company-designed course.  

Driver evaluators are a significant factor in this inconsistency. Even if you have one terminal and only one driver evaluator, each road test may differ from the last. Driver evaluators might decide they know a better route or can tell if a driver is ‘good’ in 10 minutes. 

Based on the Canadian Council of Motor Transportation Administration (CCMTA), National Safety Code (NSC) Standard 2, you should consider several pieces when developing road courses. Below are just a few of the items for consideration. 

  1. Maximizing observations 
  2. Uniformity of maneuvers 
  3. Opportunity 
  4. Objectivity 
  5. Skill requirements 

Maximizing observations: The various maneuvers differ greatly in the opportunities they provide to observe the performances that involve skill. For example, turning, particularly at uncontrolled intersections, permits much more opportunity to assess driver skill than straight driving. Routes need to be chosen in a way that will result in maneuvers that maximize the opportunities to observe scored performance.  

Uniformity of maneuvers: All applicants must receive the same test, no matter when or where they take it. Applicants with the same ability should have the same probability of passing the test. 

Opportunity: Situations requiring each performance must occur with sufficient regularity to assure that all applicants are scored on the same set of performances. 

Objectivity: Performances that can be assessed objectively are preferred over those that require subjective judgment on the examiner’s part.  

Skill requirements: Attentional, perceptual, and motor.

No two driver evaluators are equal.

Driver evaluators use subjectivity to determine risk. Every driver evaluator has a different interpretation of a good driver, the required skill level, and the perceived high-risk driver level. This interpretation falls under one of the 19 Unconscious Biases called Idiosyncratic rater bias.

Idiosyncratic rater bias affects the way we evaluate the performance of others. We often rate others based on our subjective interpretations of the assessment criteria and our definition of what “success” looks like.

Unconscious biases have also been linked to unintentional discrimination in case law. In these cases, it has been determined that there is no need to establish intention or motivation, no need for direct evidence, circumstantial evidence and inference are enough, and that stereotyping will usually be the result of subtle unconscious beliefs, biases, and prejudices.

So, when you look at your organization, what controls do you currently have to manage and mitigate these risks? Below are a few examples that carriers are using today.

What is your road test not telling you?

When evaluating a driver’s performance and abilities, ask yourself, what is my road test not telling me?  

Drivers can be on their best behaviour during a road test. Is there a way to challenge the driver enough to ensure you get the most out of the road test?  

Companies are seeing an increase in pressure from operations to hiring. Are you making decisions based on risk or filling a seat? 

What system do you have to break down the type of errors? A driver evaluator’s interpretation of competency versus trainable may differ from others. What if the driver evaluator scores an error harshly that the company believes trainable? Did you just let a good driver walk out the door? 

Are you measuring or screening for any underlying impairment? The CCMTA Standard 6 – Determining Fitness to Drive, identifies 12 cognitive functions that are needed for driving.   

  1. Divided attention 
  2. Selective attention 
  3. Sustained attention (vigilance) 
  4. Short-term or passive memory 
  5. Working memory (the active component of short-term memory) 
  6. Long-term memory 
  7. Choice/complex reaction time 
  8. Tracking 
  9. Visuospatial abilities 
  10. Executive functioning  
  11. Central executive functioning 
  12. Visual information processing 

Cognitive impairment ranges from mild short-term to severe long-term. Below is a list, not all-inclusive, of medical conditions that can cause cognitive impairment. 

If someone is suffering from cognitive impairment, they may not even realize it, and a road test may not detect there is a concern present. A driver’s provincial medical assessment might also miss identifying mild and severe cognitive impairment. 

Road test best practices.

Even though there’s a lack of direct guidance on how to develop a road test and conduct performance testing, there are two industry resources that do provide information and general guidance. 

  1. Canadian Council of Motor Transportation Administrators (CCMTA), National Safety Code – Standard 2. Chapter 8: High-Class Vehicles (Class 1-4)
  2. United States Department of Transportation (US DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – 49 CFR Part 391.31 – Road Test

The CCMTA NSA Standard 6, Determining Fitness to drive, also provides great insight into determining driver fitness, which includes medical assessments as well as functional assessments such as a cognitive screen, cognitive road test, eye tests and hearing tests.

Conclusion

With raising insurance costs, nuclear verdicts in the US, and a general responsibility to operate safely, why have we left risk tolerance to subjectivity?  And in a world where drivers are in high demand, why risk losing someone due to bias when training and retention might be the best action plan currently available to combat the driver shortage crisis.  It’s time to ask yourself, are you doing the same old road test?

Learn how we can support you in creating a standardized on-road evaluation: Commercial On-Road Evaluation

Risk Prevention and Overcoming Objections

When a solution to an identified risk seems to make so much sense to you, why can’t others see the same?

For longer than we may be able to comprehend, the discussion of proactive risk management has been an ongoing battle between opposing parties with strong opinions on both sides. Back in 1895, Joseph Malins wrote a poem called The Ambulance Down In The Valley, also referred to as The Ambulance or the Fence. This is a poem about prevention that is still relevant today and a great representation of the challenges people face when trying to resolve an identified safety risk. 

As outlined in this poem, sometimes the loudest voice(s) win the day, but that does not mean it is the right answer.  If you have been in this position before in your working life, dealing with the internal struggles between safety, operations, and ownership, you are probably nodding your head right now while you read this.  It can be frustrating to be on the side of risk prevention when you believe in something, when others cannot see nor share the same vision. 

Below is the full version of the poem, The Ambulance Down in the Valley. 

The Ambulance Down in the Valley

Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,

Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;

But over its terrible edge there had slipped

A duke, and full many a peasant.

The people said something would have to be done,

But their projects did not at all tally.

Some said, “Put a fence ’round the edge of the cliff,”

Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.”

The lament of the crowd was profound and was loud,

As their hearts overflowed with their pity;

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day

As it spread through the neighboring city.

A collection was made, to accumulate aid,

And the dwellers in highway and alley

Gave dollars or cents – not to furnish a fence –

But an ambulance down in the valley.

“For the cliff is all right if you’re careful,” they said;

“And if folks ever slip and are dropping,

It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much

As the shock down below – when they’re stopping.”

So for years (we have heard), as these mishaps occurred,

Quick forth would the rescuers sally,

To pick up the victims who fell from the cliff,

With the ambulance down in the valley.

Said one, to his peers, “It’s a marvel to me

That you’d give so much greater attention

To repairing results than to curing the cause;

You had much better aim at prevention.

For the mischief, of course, should be stopped at its source,

Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally.

It is far better sense to rely on a fence

Than an ambulance down in the valley.”

“He is wrong in his head,” the majority said;

“He would end all our earnest endeavor.

He’s a man who would shirk his responsible work,

But we will support it forever.

Aren’t we picking up all, just as fast as they fall,

And giving them care liberally?

A superfluous fence is of no consequence,

If the ambulance works in the valley.

The story looks queer as we’ve written it here,

But things oft occur that are stranger;

More humane, we assert, than to succor the hurt

Is the plan of removing the danger,

The best possible course is to safeguard the source;

Attend to things rationally.

Yes, build up the fence and let us dispense

With the ambulance down in the valley.

After reading this poem you may be shocked by the outcome in this story, the choice to tend to the fallen opposed to taking proactive measures to try to stop people from falling, but these same decisions are being made every day.  Cost of the preventative measure is a top reason why companies decide against putting in place a new or improved risk management solutions.  Another top reason is time.  But what if the solution could help avoid a workplace injury or even save someone’s life?  Is that worth the cost and time then?

When you are on the side of proactive risk management, it is hard to understand why someone could be opposed to these types of solutions.  Try putting yourself in their position though and then ask yourself:

–          Why do I not want a fence at the top of the cliff?

–          Why do I believe my answer to the first question outweighs the benefits of the preventative measure?

–          What other reasons (ex. cost) could there be for not supporting this solution?

–          What would help me change my mind?

–          If I will not change my mind, what other solution(s) might I accept?

At the end of the day your efforts may not be successful, but knowing that you have tried, and will continue to try, means you care. And a culture of caring is still a victory for all.

For more information regarding proactive risk management solutions please feel free to connect with our team to learn more [email protected].

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Driver Shortage – Our Key Take Away From The Ontario Transportation Expo

After two long years away from trade shows and in-person networking, our team packed our freshly made, bright blue trade show booth and headed to the Ontario Transportation Expo (OTE) in Toronto. Our excitement to see industry friends and brainstorm with like-minded people again had us rushing through the conference doors. On day one, we eagerly filed into our first session: HR Issues and Driver Recruitment. During this session, we confirmed that the driver shortage is still the top concern facing the transit and trucking industries. At the conference, each conversation we had led to the question, “How do we attract and retain quality drivers?”.

It is often said that asking smaller questions is the only way to answer a big one. Infuriating! To answer this challenging question, let us dissect it. 

What is causing the driver shortage?

According to an article written by Smart Trucking1, the shortage of drivers comes down to the simple fact that drivers are not happy or satisfied with the lifestyle that a trucking career has to offer. What is contributing to this unhappiness? Factors such as low pay and less desirable working conditions.

A common theme at the OTE was that companies struggle to get enough driver candidates through the door before beginning the hiring process. Currently, Canada reports a shortage of around 25,000 truck drivers, while the US reports a whopping shortage of about 60,000 drivers. This shortage impacts organizations because there are not enough quality candidates coming into the industry, and companies are losing money by hiring, training, and onboarding candidates who don’t stick around. With a lack of qualified candidates coming into the market, retention becomes essential to weathering this storm. Simply put its easier to retain existing drivers than gain new ones.

 

What can you do to inspire change?

Create a Culture of Caring

People stay in environments where they feel comfortable, appreciated, and valued and leave places they are not.

Your organization has the power to control the way potential candidates feel about your business. Ask yourself: Is my company supporting a culture of caring? A caring culture is focused on investing in the health and safety of drivers rather than on a revolving door of hiring. If you are unsure, go to the source and survey your drivers. Continue what you are doing well and adjust where you could be doing better. Building, maintaining, and communicating a caring culture takes dedication but could be the key to attracting and retaining drivers. With a positive company culture, potential candidates and current employees feel valued and stay gainfully employed for years. Drivers talk. Why not be on the positive side of those conversations?

“You work at [company name]; what is it like?”

“You have a retirement plan!”

“They helped you discover a medical condition, and you are doing great now; that is awesome. I wish my company cared that much.”

Address the Aging Workforce

Based on the Canadian Trucking Alliance’s latest report2, the average age of a truck driver in Canada is 49 years old, seven years older than the average worker. With an aging demographic of workers, the focus of a company’s culture might be different than what was once thought to be enough. Retirement and pension packages, long-term health care plans, education programs for children and grandchildren, and health and wellness programs start to look much more appealing as people get older. You might also be surprised how these same topics attract the younger generation of drivers as well.

As we age, health issues become a more significant concern, in particular for sedentary jobs. When medical conditions go unnoticed, undiagnosed, and unmanaged, they can lead to progressive, persistent, or episodic medical conditions that could remove a driver from working for a short, long, or indefinite period. Supporting early detection of medical conditions facilitates proactive intervention in a way that fosters a caring culture and ensures drivers are healthy and fit which all leads to improved driver retention.

Build Meaningful Programs

A robust culture of caring starts with leadership but it can not end there, it needs a champion to drive the initiative and make it come alive within an organization. So, where do you start?  

You may find that you are close to meeting driver needs and wants, but you also may discover that you are miles apart.

Assembling a fitness for duty program that fits the company’s needs and culture is another great way to invest in the talent driving your business. If you have a current fitness for duty program, we suggest you review it. Many of these programs were developed over a decade ago and have not evolved to capture the changing world. Review what protocols are currently in place, and are they working? Are there gaps where your program could use support? The best way to manage your driver pool is by developing a consistent, measurable, and standardized approach to managing your drivers. 

ExceleRATE

ExceleRATE harnesses the power of science and technology to provide decision makers with measurable evidence of risk, whether driving or impairment related.

Driver risk is linked to trainable errors, competency, or functional abilities, and impairment risk is linked to medical conditions, substance abuse, fatigue, and mental health. Within 30 minutes, ExceleRATE provides the confidence that a driver is safe,  and within 4 hours, empowers stakeholders to make hiring and return to work decisions.

Let ExceleRATE help your company address the driver shortage head-on.

[1] https://www.smart-trucking.com/truck-driver-shortage/

[2] https://cantruck.ca

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