M.B.D.A. - Management By Driving Around by Carmen Daecher

In shops and factories around the country, wise, effective managers have learned that the best way to see how things are going is to get out among employees while they are doing their work. It is a great way to see how things are being done and for the employees to know that you have an interest and care. If you see conditions or behaviors that are not acceptable, they can be corrected before something happens. And while it is always good for employees to know that you genuinely care about them, it is also good to keep them on their toes. This style of managing is known as MBWA - Management By Walking Around.

In most bus companies, MBWA is used in the shop and in the office. But is the same type of management used while drivers are behind the wheel? If not, it should be. MBDA - Management By Driving Around - should be used by bus companies for the same reasons and to have the same effect as MBWA has in the shop and office.

A successful MBDA has two principal components: road tests and unannounced road observations.

Road tests have become less used because of the availability to accept a CDL when obtained by using a bus in lieu of administering the road test. Simply because someone has acquired a CDL does not mean that they drive to an acceptable standard; and more importantly, to your standard. Even if a person has years of driving experience with other companies, unless you are very familiar with their driving standards, you simply should not accept possession of a CDL and previous experience for your use of a driver. Only after you are sure that the driver meets your standards should you feel comfortable with that person being your employee. Actually, "road test" is not an appropriate description; assessment of driving behavior and skills is a far better description to more clearly identify the intent of such an effort.

A 40 to 45 minute assessment, covering all types of traffic conditions and vehicular movements is necessary. Only then can you feel comfortable that a person drives to your expectations and standards.

Road observations are substantially underutilized by companies, but can be effectively performed in two ways: Anonymous on-board evaluations and unannounced shadow vehicle operations.

Using either method, you will see driving behaviors and habits in their most natural state. Patterns of poor behavior will be easily identified. And for that matter, good driving behavior will also be observed.

Road observations should also be used when you receive motorist or passenger complaints regarding driving behavior. While you probably talk with the driver about such complaints, there is no better way to know if there are patterns of poor behavior that you want to correct unless you see it.

Every time you perform a road test or conduct a road observation, discuss it with the driver at your earliest opportunity. If the results of the test or observation were positive, make sure you commend the driver for excellent driving behavior.

If driving behavior was not satisfactory, you should review your results with the driver, make sure they understand what you observed and what is expected of them. Provide sufficient training and/or appropriate discipline to reinforce the points you make during your discussion.

Equally as important, make sure the driver understands the urgency and importance for consistently good driving behavior. Remind them that when they are behind the wheel, their foremost responsibility is to exercise patience and discipline to control their motorcoach so that passengers, other motorists, and themselves do not get hurt. And always remind them that their health is just as important to you as anyone else's.

By correcting poor behaviors through counseling, retraining, and other methods and by applauding good behaviors, you will let everyone know that you are out there; you care; and you want everyone to always drive safely in accordance with your company standards.

Using a regular and random schedule of road observations, you will keep everyone on their toes. From our experience, through effective road observation programs, excessive speeds are significantly reduced, and space management is significantly improved.

From where I'm sitting, whether you use the rubber on the bottom of your shoes or on the tires of your vehicles, getting out there, watching, and showing that you care is a formula for success.

To view and obtain forms which can be used during road tests and road observations, go to the Daecher Consulting Group Website at www.safetyteam.com.

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