Photo insert: Sam Watts, longtime fleet safety advisor
Skilled tradespeople—electricians, plumbers, construction workers, and service businesses—are the backbone of essential services, keeping communities running smoothly. For those constantly on the road, safety is more than a priority—it’s a necessity. Whether transporting materials, traveling between job sites, or operating work vehicles, safe driving protects not only the tradespeople themselves, but everyone they share the road with.
In recognition of the recently celebrated National Tradesman Day, Linxup teamed up with a fleet safety expert to develop a new guide: How to Start a Fleet Safety Program: Earn Trust, Get Driver Buy-In, and Make Safety Stick.
A strong safety program delivers real benefits—fewer accidents, lower insurance costs, higher productivity and greater customer trust. In a recent Linxup survey, 84% of fleet managers said employees would embrace safety technology if they understood how it protects them. And 93% agreed their teams perform better when safety is made a top priority.
“On National Tradesmen Day, we’re reminded that encouraging and supporting safety is the best way to recognize the people who help keep our communities running,” said Joe Marcotte, senior director, product management for Linxup. “That’s why we created this guide and offer tools like our Driver Coaching Dashboard and Coaching Sessions — to help fleets reduce risk, keep teams safe, and build programs that are practical and effective.”
The new guide highlights the key questions fleet managers need to ask to create a safety program that works, including:
- Who are the decision makers and how do we secure buy-in from drivers and staff?
- What are our top safety priorities, and how do we focus on the most urgent risks?
- How do we train employees effectively and provide tools that are easy to use?
- How do we measure success without overwhelming the team with data?
The guide also addresses common pitfalls, such as rolling out too many changes at once, relying only on technology without coaching, or failing to follow up consistently.
The full guide, How to Start a Fleet Safety Program, is available for download here.
