Many motor carriers use "How's My Driving" decals to monitor drivers, but these reports often lack credibility. Some companies now use professional third-party services that employ credible observers like law enforcement to conduct random observations of drivers over an extended period. These services can observe drivers across large areas and quickly submit detailed reports, helping companies address safety issues in real time. Using credible professional observers also prevents biases and ensures reliable and impartial reporting focused on reducing accidents.

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Companies Turn to Credible, Real-World Observations to Monitor
Their Drivers
Many motor carriers in today’s culture still use decals such as “How’s My Driving; call 800 #s” in order
to reduce accidents and increase driver awareness. Unfortunately, this program is only as credible
as the person reporting on the vehicle. In fact, many Safety Directors have dubbed these reports as
“non credible observations.” Now there are service providers available that have focused on this
issue and will proactively and randomly seek out your vehicles and perform credible observations
using a network of experienced law enforcement officers and motor carrier safety managers trained in
road safety, traffic enforcement, and covert surveillance.
One such service provider is “Is My Driving Safe,” headquartered in Tampa, FL. In May 2005, Is My
Driving Safe introduced their Driver Surveillance Program, which was conceived with a former
Chairman of the ATA Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council. Since its inception, they
have performed over 40,000 observations for customers whose fleet sizes range from 200 to 10,000
drivers.
In today’s industry, costs are constantly rising due to driver accidents, speeding, tailgating and other
aggressive driving behaviors that can cause higher insurance premiums. In order to focus on and
reduce these major issues, most service providers use agents/monitors who perform speed and
following distance readings and describe any other issues or driving infractions they observe. Most
companies see a drastic reduction in speeding and accidents, which translate into a reduction in
insurance premiums and ISS ratings.
But what should you look for in a driver observation service provider? First and foremost, you need
to ensure that your drivers are being observed by credible agents. The use of credible, neutral
agents who have no stake in the outcome of the report will help ensure reporting reliability. By using
providers that hire only credible agents who are active or retired law enforcement officers, motor
carrier safety managers, and private investigators, you benefit from individuals professionally trained
in performing traffic and safety observations. Using their training, the credible agent can see more in
five minutes than a “civilian” motorist calling the 1-800 number could in fifteen minutes.
The search for credible agents is a long, thorough process. Some service providers recruit through
law-enforcement periodicals and websites to attract only the best qualified candidates. Potential
monitors/agents must submit a resume that details their law-enforcement experience, traffic-
enforcement experience, surveillance experience, and any other special skills that relate to the truck
driving industry. The service provider may even maintain a comprehensive database that lists each
agent’s training and certifications in areas such as speed detection (using laser, radar, GPS, pacing,
etc.), court-certified speed, basic traffic, defensive driving, DOT safety, accident reconstruction, and
more. Agents work as independent contractors, so there are no additional costs to the service
provider.
In addition to agent credibility, some of the keys when selecting a service provider are: great
coverage, quick submission of reports, and a focus on the major issues that cause accidents.
Companies should select a service provider that has a large network of active agents nationwide (or
at least in their service area), who can perform observations any time of the day, any day of the
week. The agents should be submitting their reports electronically within 24-48 hours (but no later
than four days), as most Safety Managers want to discuss the report with their drivers while the event
may still be fresh in their mind.
Credible agents should observe drivers in a random and inconspicuous manner over a minimum
distance of five miles and five minutes, noting the date, exact time, driver’s speed, following distance,
erratic driving, road conditions, etc. By performing multiple speed and following distance checks over
an extended time, driving patterns become apparent and the “you caught me in a bad spot” defense
by the driver can be prevented.
Chris Hackler, Corporate Director of Safety for Arnold Transportation Services said, “We found our
fleet receptive to knowing these reports were being conducted by professionals over a minimum of
five miles. …another major advantage is the timeliness of the report; having it within 24 hours
(usually within a few hours of observation) gives you real time data to address immediately, not
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2. days/weeks later. Nine out of ten times, when we address a negative report, our driver recalls the
time, place and even vehicle involved. This allows us to walk through the situation and recommend
procedures to prevent it from happening again.”
Report reliability is also bolstered through agent neutrality. By using a service provider who, in-turn,
uses monitoring agents, there is no bias or favoritism, and therefore no incentive for the agent to
“catch” a driver in the act of driving poorly. Agents are paid on a per-report basis, whether the
findings are positive or negative.
Using a service provider instead of doing your own observations can enable your Safety Managers to
maximize their focus on safety. Some companies occasionally put their Safety Managers in the field
to perform observations in the same locations (usually from terminal to terminal), but a service
provider can perform reports nationwide without the added expense of a vehicle, fuel, insurance and
mileage. It is generally far less expensive to pay per observation than to send your Safety Managers
out on the highways.
Using a service provider that offers nationwide random reporting utilizing a network of credible agents
is a proactive, money-saving alternative to the “How’s My Driving” decals. They provide data that a
company can use and trust to protect the company, protect their bottom line, and protect the public.
Scott S. McDonald
Co-Founder/ CIO
Is My Driving Safe Inc. & Global Process Solutions
scott@ismydrivingsafe.com
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