Transport companies that want to get more haulage contracts must keep their own house in order. A great way to do that is to ensure any fleet of heavy vehicles is handled by a team of professional and effective drivers. If you’re in the business of transport, here are three ways you can make sure the people operating your vehicles are in the best of shape.

Ensure Your Drivers Are Squeaky Clean

There’s a reason why more and more companies (and not just haulers wanting to get more haulage contracts, but also other businesses in general) are making drug and alcohol testing a pre-requisite when hiring new people – and that is performance and safety. There is no way a person can perform to the best of their abilities if their faculties are clouded by the effects of alcohol or drugs. Worse, such people can pose a severe danger not only to themselves but also to other people on the road. People who are dependent on alcohol and other harmful substances can damage equipment, endanger your company and its reputation, and even cause very expensive litigation arising from their actions. Regular and stringent alcohol and drug testing must be a strict requirement.

Follow the Rules

Nothing can entice a customer to continue to send haulage contracts your way than a track record of excellence, performance, and high quality service. Having and maintaining a spotless good record conveys the powerful message that you are an organisation that will take full ownership of your client’s concerns, and that whatever cargo they may need transported, they’re in good hands. The same goes for all your drivers; they must know all the relevant road safety regulations so that they will not unwittingly break them. Moreover, many localities are introducing new laws and increasing regulations, which make it more challenging to continue maintaining a good record. Regardless of such developments, however, a haulage company must always follow the rules.

Stay Healthy and Alert

Needless to say, haulage drivers must always be in top physical condition in order for them to endure the rigours of long hours and long distances. If fatigue sets in, they must find a safe place to stop, and steal a few hours of sleep. There’s no drug, no tall cup of strong coffee that can be more beneficial than sleep – it is the only real and safe cure for fatigue. This is very important, because statistics indicate that fatigue is a major killer – significant number of road accidents and the resulting fatalities are due to driver fatigue. It’s also worth mentioning that no matter how many haulage contracts you are tempted to complete, there is no cargo or delivery deadline that is more important than human lives.