Hermann Services Consistently Delivers Safety

Currently, Hermann Transportation’s safety practices are managed by Rich Hermann and Jackie Wortz – who live and breathe that safety comes first at Hermann Services.

As a quick snapshot of the industry, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported in their ‘2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics’ a total of 721,837 driver violations during inspections in 2020. Among them were violations for:

• 45,397 violations for “Failing to use seat belt while operating a CMV”
• 20,021 violations for “State/Local Laws – Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit”
• 14,634 violations for “Using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a CMV”

With drivers, cargo, and the organization’s reputation all at risk in the instance of a violation, Hermann Transportation takes a firm stance when it comes to safety and maintains a clean record through multiple technologies and initiatives.

Our most recent safety development involved installing front- and rear-facing cameras in our tractors. These cameras capture footage when incidents arise both on the roads and with our drivers to ensure safety measures are being followed.

Hermann tractors are equipped with lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring, and GPS tracking. By keeping an eye on drivers and loads via GPS, we can provide safety and roadside updates in addition to tracking the cargo. Trailer tracking, specifically through Skybitz, reduces product dwell time and the chance of theft.

The engines of our tractors are equipped with an engine control module (ECM) which tracks vehicular data from engine performance to acceleration and deceleration events. We also utilize Omnitracs Electronic Onboard Devices (EODs) to log all driver and vehicle data from pre-trip inspections to the driver’s hours of service, providing accurate data in accordance with Hermann standards and DOT regulations.

In fact, Hermann Transportation maintains several stellar BASIC scores. This past quarter, Hermann posted scores of 2 or less in four different categories: Unsafe Driving, Controlled Substance and Alcohol, Hazardous Materials, and Driver Fitness. The average score for the Crash Indicator was 23.

But it’s not all on the driver and technology. “Here, the Safety Department monitors, reports, and supports management in compliance, and they ensure their drivers are educated, coached, and show good defensive driving habits. The Safety Department also is an integral part in continuing education for all drivers (and managers) through constant communication (informative emails, Omnitracs messaging, safety meetings, etc.). We’ve developed a communications plan that outlines the types and content of communications necessary for success, and both of those change with the times,” says Rich F. Hermann, Director of Safety and Compliance.

Every Hermann employee – from the safety department to our driver managers, warehouse workers, and office staff – contributes to the safety culture present at Hermann Services.