Why Heyl Truck Lines was Ready for a Video-Based Safety Program

Established in 1949 as a for-hire refrigerated carrier that runs local and regional hauls as well as over-the-road routes, Heyl is dedicated to providing consistent quality service, and prides itself on being an early adopter of technology solutions designed to optimize customer service, fleet safety and regulatory compliance. In the face of industry-wide concerns about skyrocketing litigation and claims costs, and rising insurance premiums, Heyl looked to video as an advanced safety technology to protect drivers and proactively manage company risk.

Why the SmartDrive^® Program is the Smart Choice for Heyl Truck Lines

With research showing video-based analytics can contribute to a reduction of up to 29 percent in vehicle crashes and up to 38 percent for individual fleets, Heyl realized that the value of the technology was indisputable. Adding to their decision was the option to acquire SmartDrive Defender, a dual-camera configuration with road-facing and cab views, which offers Heyl protection against false claims while delivering insight to improve driving behavior, fleet safety and operational efficiency.

With the ability to capture incidents accurately and offload immediately for review, Heyl was better able to protect its drivers in the event of a collision. In addition, the easy-to-use SmartDrive program was customized to Heyl’s specific goals and coaching priorities, speeding adoption and delivering faster return on investment.

Ensuring driver acceptance was paramount to Heyl’s decision to deploy the SmartDrive program. Company leadership took a strategic, multi-pronged approach to driver communication in advance of implementation. Among the tactics Heyl employed to ensure driver engagement were a letter explaining the objectives of the program, customized training video, frequently asked questions document, detailed training presentation and a series of driver messages informing them of the training and information resources. Before and during the rollout, drivers were encouraged to call fleet management with any questions or concerns. These efforts, combined with personal one-on-one training during vehicle installation, contributed greatly to the successful fleet-wide adoption.