How to keep your fleet safe on the roads these holidays

For many fleet operators, the holiday season is the opposite of relaxing, as it's the busiest time of year for plenty of companies. That means your drivers and vehicles could be on the roads more, and sharing with a lot of holiday traffic. Here’s how to keep things running safely and smoothly.

Now is the time to make sure that your fleet is in optimum condition. Not only does that mean your drivers will be in the safest possible vehicle, but it also means they’ll be in a reliable one. After all, you not only want to keep your staff healthy but you want to keep your business running on schedule throughout the holiday period.

The other major benefit to a pre-holiday visit to your local service centre is that a properly maintained vehicle will typically use less fuel, because it’s operating at its optimum, and that will ultimately save you money.

The holiday period means more traffic and that inevitably increases the chance of accidents or breakdowns, causing disruptions to your business. By keeping your fleet maintained you’ll reduce your chances of being in the vehicle that causes the traffic jam. More than that, though, you’ll also cut down on the chances of your drivers being caught out needing help when other companies have their staff on holiday leave, which may include some roadside-assistance providers.

So, again, plan ahead and do your best to avoid trouble at this busy time of year. Dealing with issues early is far easier and more convenient than in the peak of summer.

Make safe vehicle choices

It may sound obvious, but picking the safest vehicle possible for your fleet hasn’t always been straightforward. For decades, commercial vehicles like vans and utes lagged behind passenger cars and SUVs for safety equipment. This was counterintuitive, as these were the vehicles likely to spend more time on the road, so therefore you’d think they’d be the safest.

Fortunately, the tide has turned and more car manufacturers are now making much safer commercial vehicles, in particular delivery vans, which are a much better option for your fleet.

Stay fueled up

Using the Shell Card is another great way to keep your fleet running smoothly and safely. It’s the ideal companion for any fleet operator and recently won the Canstar Blue 2023 Award for Customer Satisfaction for Small Business Fuel Cards.

The ShellCard is accepted at more than 1300 locations around Australia, including more than 150 truck-friendly sites, so no matter where you operate your fleet you will have access to the Shell network.

The Shell Card allows small businesses to access discounts to fuel and collect Flybuys points from Shell Coles Express outlets. Another major advantage for all Shell Card holders, but small business owners in particular, is the Shell Card Portal giving account managers more control over their fuel management processes. Account managers can personalise each card to specific fuel types and purchases, as well as tracking invoices and receipts.