The American Rental Association, in cooperation with ARA Insurance Services, last week unveiled a first-of-its-kind Professional Driver Education Program designed to benefit businesses with professional delivery drivers. The new program is designed to help construction and general tool rental business owners improve driver safety, reduce risk, save money and enhance customer service.
This Web-based, rental-specific program consists of nine interactive modules that offer six hours of instruction on all aspects of the delivery driver process, from loading and load securing, unloading and Department of Transportation regulations to pickup and delivery at the jobsite, on-the-road safety and customer service. Each module comes complete with pre- and post-tests, checklists and information on relevant documents and websites. Participants are allowed 16 weeks to complete the course. Upon finishing, each driver will receive a certificate of completion, uniform patch, hardhat sticker and wallet card.
“ARA has developed this comprehensive program to address the most universal safety issue of the equipment rental industry,” said Christine Wehrman, ARA’s executive vice president and CEO. “Not only will construction and general tool operations save time and money, but, most importantly, they will save lives.”
Roadside inspections will be changing in November with more stringent assessments of safety performance areas in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Business owners may see an increase in violations, which can result in a significant increase in costs, reduction in their safety rating and loss of time.
“We know that the key to reducing insurance claims lies with educating drivers,” said Phillip Kelling, president of ARA Insurance Services. “Delivery drivers have a big responsibility and are highly visible employees of a business. Smart business owners and managers are willing to invest in driver training to keep safety at the forefront.”
ARA is an international trade association for the owners of equipment rental businesses and the manufacturers and suppliers of construction/industrial, general tool, and party/event rental equipment.
ARA Insurance Services is an insurance company, wholly owned by ARA, which offers ARA members a range of services including property, rental inventory, general liability, automobile, excess liability (umbrella) and workers compensation.
