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12 strategies to improve the safety culture of your transportation fleet

Enhance your transportation fleet's safety culture with 12 strategies to protect employees, reduce accidents, and improve efficiency.
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By William (Bill) Kalbhenn , 

National Transportation Lead Consultant

03/20/2025 · 3 minute read

According to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database (NCDB), the number of motor vehicle fatalities was 1,931 in 2022 — up 6% from 2021 and representing the second highest count in the last 10 years. The number of serious injuries increased to 8,851 in 2022, up 8.1% from 2021.

Strengthening fleet safety can help protect your workforce, mitigate vehicular accidents, and ensure timely and cost-efficient transportation of goods. Developing a strong safety culture requires a multifaceted approach that engages all levels of the organization, beginning at the top with senior leaders. Below are several strategies that fleet and risk managers may consider to improve their organization’s broader approach to safety and risk management:

  1. Demonstrate a commitment from leadership: Leadership should commit meaningfully to building a safety culture by prioritizing it in decision-making and resource allocation. Leaders should model safe behaviors, encourage training, and actively participate in safety initiatives.
  2. Establish clear safety policies and procedures: Develop and communicate clear safety policies and procedures that are documented and easily accessible to all relevant parties. Ensure that employees understand these guidelines and their importance in daily operations.
  3. Provide regular training and education: Offer regular training on safety practices, regulations, and emergency procedures. This should include onboarding for new employees and ongoing training for existing staff to keep them updated on best practices.
  4. Promote open communication: Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting safety concerns and incidents without fear of retribution. Encourage open dialogue about safety issues and solutions.
  5. Encourage employee involvement: Involve employees in safety committees or task forces. Their insights and experiences can help identify potential hazards and develop effective safety strategies.
  6. Conduct regular safety audits and inspections: Perform regular safety audits and inspections to identify hazards and assess compliance with safety policies. Use the findings to make necessary improvements.
  7. Create incentives: Implement a recognition program to reward safe behaviors and practices. Acknowledging employees who prioritize safety can motivate others to do the same.
  8. Develop incident reporting and analysis: Establish a system for reporting and analyzing incidents and near misses. Use this data to identify trends, root causes, and areas for improvement, and share lessons learned with the entire organization.
  9. Commit to ongoing improvement: Promote a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and updating safety policies, procedures, and training programs based on employee feedback and new information.
  10. Introduce new safety technology and tools: Invest in safety technology, such as telematics, dash cams, and safety management software, to monitor and improve safety performance. These tools can provide valuable data for decision-making and inform risk management discussions.
  11. Consider wellness programs: Implement wellness programs that address physical and mental health, as these factors can significantly impact safety. Encourage healthy lifestyles and provide resources for mental and physical health.
  12. Establish robust emergency preparedness plans: Develop and communicate emergency response plans. Conduct drills and training exercises to ensure that employees know how to respond effectively in various emergency situations.

By implementing these strategies, transportation and associated fleets can create a robust culture of safety that prioritizes the wellbeing of employees, enhances operational efficiency, and ultimately leads to better outcomes for the organization.

For more information on Improving the safety culture in your transportation fleets, please contact your Marsh representative.

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