Truck Driver Wanted
Trucking Safety - Behavior Plays a Vital Role
Hiring the wrong truck drivers can be disastrous. Hiring the right ones can save lives.
Naturally, safety training plays an important role in driver safety. Other factors may be even more significant according to a 1993 study conducted by Behavioral-Values Research Associates.
The research was conducted on maintenance workers between the ages of 22 and 64, who had been with (XYZ) Company for an average of 17.5 years. They were given four assessments that measured their behavioral style and attitudes, their knowledge of safety rules, and their pictorial and mechanical reasoning abilities. Interestingly, the study shows the only significant differences between the two groups of workers (injured vs. non-injured) were in their behavioral styles and attitudes/values.
The research validates that when companies implement a pre-hiring assessment selection system, four things happen. These companies: ? Reduce accidents ? Reduce worker?s comp claims ? Reduce turnover ? Reduce maintenance costs.
G & P Trucking in Gaston, SC, has been assessing the behaviors of all driver applicants for seven years. G & P President, Clifton Parker says, ?We are doing a better job during the hiring process. The behavior testing has given us insight on the applicants? true beliefs and actions rather than finding out later. The bottom line is that it has helped us lower accident cost.?
Common sense tells us that truck drivers who are naturally careful and cautious are going to cause fewer accidents than those who are prone to experience ?road rage.? So, trucking companies would be wise to hire drivers with a ?long fuse,? people who are slow to anger.
The safest drivers are those who are steady and cautious by nature, and those who genuinely put others? well being above their own. The BVRA research found workers with the best safety records are those who are high in the ?S? and ?C? behavioral styles and low in the ?D? factor. They are also high in the Social value. Let me explain.
In 1928, Harvard psychologist William Moulton Marston defined the four behavioral styles (DISC) we all have in varying degrees. Around the same time, psychologist Eduard Spranger published his studies of six values or attitudes that determine how we view the world and what?s important to us.
Target Training International in Scottsdale, AZ, continued their research and produced the first computer-generated behavior and values assessments that companies use today to hire and manage the best employees. These are two of the assessments used in the BVRA research project.
The four behavioral styles are ?D?-Dominant, ?I?-Influencing, ?S?-Steady, and ?C?-Cautious.
Those high in the ?D? factor want control, they are quick to anger, and become impatient easily. They are the ones most likely to experience ?road rage? if they don?t like the way someone else is driving.
Those high in the ?I? behavioral factor are extroverted and people oriented; they talk a lot and like attention. The research found no significant difference in the ?I? factor between the injured and non-injured workers.
People high in the ?S? factor are steady and patient, they move slowly, and have a strong focus on their team?s success. So we can see why those with a Core ?S? style are more likely to be safe drivers.
Those high in the ?C? factor are extremely cautious, pay attention to detail, and believe in following rules set by others.
So, it?s understandable that truck drivers high in both the ?S? and ?C? factors, and low in the ?D? style will have or cause fewer accidents. It?s also significant that research shows those high in the Social value are the safest workers because they selflessly put others? needs above their own.
One thing BVRA?s research didn?t show, which I believe is significant, is the ranking of those workers in the Individualistic Value. Even more than those with Core ?D? behavioral styles, people high in this value are passionate about having power and control over situations and other people, so I believe it?s important for trucking companies to hire drivers who are low in this attitude.
Simply put, the ideal driver ? the one you want to hire ? is one who is high in the ?S? and ?C? behavioral factors, low in the ?D? factor, high in the Social value, and low in the Individualistic attitude.
?2007 Annette Estes. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reprint granted as long as entire text and tag line are included.
Annette Estes is a Certified Professional Behavioral and Values Analyst, coach, and behavioral safety consultant. She is an award-winning columnist and author of the book Why Can't You See It My Way? Resolving Values Conflicts at Work and Home. Subscribe to her free newsletter at http://www.hiresafedrivers.com
MORE ARTICLES:
CDL Practice Test – Offers Practice Tests To Prepare For The CDL Exam
As you take CDL practice test, you do become more familiar with the CDL test, and being familiar with the test will make the actual test much less stressful.In fact, if used correctly, CDL practice test can be an extremely targeted study tool that will precisely pinpoint the areas in which you are weakest and then help you to learn how to combat and overcome those weaknesses.
Trucking Industry - Demand-Supply Equilibrium
Virtually, the macroeconomic situation of any country relies on its Demand-Supply Equilibrium. There is an inbound tendency within the macroeconomic framework of any country, to maintain a balance between the demand and supply factors. Trucking industry plays an important role in maintaining a physical equilibrium within the economy. Domestic supply of materials to neutralize demand depends on trucking industry. Therefore, high degree of efficiency in the trucking industry is essential to maintain the supply side of the equilibrium.
Rewarded CDL Training
Should you notice up for free CDL education? Have definite to get your CDL and you found a trucking group teach that is gift you group paid CDL education? All you requisite to do now is notice a shrink and go to a Trucking teach and everything is free to be good, right? You will have a guaranteed trucking job , paid CDL education and a new job.
Trucking Software – Special Features
Trucking industry has seen a paramount change in its overall functioning, after the inclusion of software technology in its system. Trucking software has significantly improved the day-to-day functioning of the trucking companies. Handling of the trucking business was made apparently simple and easy by this software. Various features of the trucking software are devised, in accordance with the current scenario of the trucking industry. Trucking software has turn out to be an advanced technological device, which is significantly contributing in the efficiency enhancement of the whole transportation system.
Drop-in and Spray-on Truck Bed Liners
One of the greatest qualities of a truck, whether a semi-truck, pickup truck, or dump truck, is its ability to carry heavy loads But truck owners know that repeated use of the truck bed with heavy materials will cause wear and tear
LegalView Plans Launch of Truck Accident Information Portal to Offer Information to Victims of Truck Accident Injury
LegalView recently announced plans to launch a new information portal specifically dedicated to truck accidents in order to better serve victims of a truck accident injury. The number of truck accidents has grown within the last ten years, and victims are often left without information on the existing legalities surrounding a truck accident crash.
How to Rent a Moving Truck
With increasingly high transportation costs, more people are choosing to move themselves when they need to relocate Moving a home or office requires a lot of planning and one of the most integral components is the moving truck
