Take a Step-By-Step Approach to Journey Management

Journey management is a necessary part of any business plan. Both workers and public safety are a high priority for any job site, and not just for the individuals the journey management impacts but for the bottom line as well. The best way to manage a journey is to avoid the journey altogether. When that is simply not possible, you need to have a journey management plan in place.

Here are just a few examples of how good journey management can affect your company:

• Plan your driving during daylight hours whenever possible. This way, the driver will be less likely to lose attentiveness or fall asleep.
• Pay attention to the weather and other road hazards. Road conditions can make a huge difference in the safety of passengers. Identify hazardous driving areas, such as around schools, and avoid them where possible.
• Have a way to communicate with the driver in case of problems. Consider sending a cell phone, satellite phone, or radio to stay in constant contact. Make sure that communication devices are fully charged. If the trip needs to be diverted, make sure that you have plans already in place for backup travelling.
• Take note of driving regulation and restrictions in the area.
• Make sure that unexpected delays can be accounted for. Leave early to make sure that there will be more than enough time to arrive at your destination.
• Bring water to stay hydrated – and make plans on where to make rest stops. Make sure that your breaks are being taken in authorised areas. Avoid caffeinated drinks.
• Educate your drivers on emergency response and driver safety. Remember to follow basic requirements such as wearing a seatbelt or following speed limits. Avoid horseplay during the trip. This can lead to distracted driving. Every step in the trip needs to be addressed.

What are the side benefits of using a good journey management plan?

• With better-managed trips, you lower the risk of bodily injury, lowering costs for property management, and insurance premiums. This also has the benefit of lowering your environmental footprint. Fewer vehicles and less gas usage mean minimal exhaust fumes. Your business will benefit from the more carefully planned trip. Your employee avoids injury and stress, and the business keeps the bottom line for costs in place.
• When trips cannot be avoided altogether, focus on having more people on the trip when possible. They can trade off driving, thereby lowering the chance of injury to your employees and reducing concerns about vehicle management costs.
• Use ergonomic awareness to lower bodily strains that will affect driving safety. Strains cause distracted driving and fatigue that can be avoided altogether. Drill your employees on proper mirror placement, headrest, and seat placement.

Set aside time to teach proper journey management that will eventually become second nature to the employee. Better journey management means safety first!