As Sr. Manager of EHS at Advance Auto Parts (AAP), Sandra Doucette spearheaded a fleet safety strategy for 19,000 vehicles that significantly reduced preventable losses, claims, and costs for the company.

For her leadership and initiatives improving safety reduction in collision frequency, severity, cost, and overall risk, Doucette earned the 2024 Fleet Safety Award.

The Fleet Safety Award was presented by the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) and Automotive Fleet magazine at the recent Fleet Safety Conference in San Diego from Nov. 6-8.

"This annual award recognizes an individual and organization who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating excellence in fleet safety. They've proven their leadership, innovation, and measurable results towards enhancing the safety of their employees and all who share the road with them," Mike Joyce, AALA executive director, said.

Doucette Recognized for Empowering Drivers and Reducing Costs

"I'd like to thank our partners at CEI and Element for the nomination and the AALA for their selection," Doucette said at the award ceremony.

Doucette currently leads the safety programs that support a network of retail and driving team members working across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

"Six years ago, I had the privilege of joining Advance Auto Parts. Our goal was to improve the safety approach and build a best-in-class fleet safety program. For me, this meant staying focused on our belief that at Advance, our people are our best part," Doucette said in her acceptance speech.

"So, how do you protect and empower your best part? Set clear expectations, delegate responsibility, give constructive feedback, and show appreciation," Doucette continued.

Through her management of enhanced driver training, telematics, and risk management tools, AAP's mid-year 2023 vs. 2024 performance metrics increase accounted for 88 preventable claims and repair cost avoidance of $468,539 based on the average repair amount of $5,308 for preventable claims.

To meet their safety objectives, AAP has a 4-pillar approach, including:

1. Advance Driver Program: Establishes a foundation for defensive driving skills.

2. SmartDrive Cameras: Provides a platform to improve driver skills by identifying and coaching risky behaviors.

3. CEI DriverCare: Enhances the driver screening process through continuous MVR monitoring, managing eligibility, and combining risk data from various data streams into a single driver risk profile. The profile includes data from vehicle-based telematics, MVRs, accident history, and more.

4. Predictive Tools: Using telematics data to gain timely visibility into driver behaviors and react quickly to remediate.

AAP measures safety by looking at reduction in collision frequency, severity/cost, and overall risk. By combining AAP's mission with her management style, there were clear outcomes shown in the company's mid-year 2023 vs. 2024 performance metrics for safety:

• Preventable losses: -28%

• Total claims: -14%

• IPMM: -11%

• PPMM: -25%

• Rental spend: -17%

• Total Losses: -10%

"While these monetary savings are instrumental to our business, I love that this program helps to send each team member home to their family after every shift and serve our communities safely," Doucette explained.

AAP's Safety Program Reduces Risk and Recognizes Excellence

AAP has established a comprehensive safety program involving drug/alcohol testing, driver training, and telematics, including SmartDrive cameras to monitor and coach driver behavior. The program's benefits include addressing risky behaviors quickly, enhancing manager-driver engagement, and supporting liability claims.

Additionally, AAP's District Outlier Program identifies high-collision areas. It mandates extra training and ride-alongs for these stores, aligning with their ADVANCE Driving Program, which focuses on defensive driving techniques.

AAP tracks collisions by focusing on the collision frequency rate (CFR), distinguishing between recordable and non-recordable incidents. Recordable collisions involve injuries or damage, while non-recordable incidents lack bodily injury or significant collision damage.

The CEI DriverCare Risk Manager Program, integrating continuous MVR monitoring, SmartDrive cameras, and collision metrics, supports AAP's ongoing efforts to reduce accidents and injuries. AAP reports that these safety strategies have significantly reduced their overall fleet costs.

In addition to AAP's safety measures, "Launching our Safe Driver Recognition program is, in my opinion, the greatest achievement we reached this year," Doucette said. "This year, we identified and recognized over 6,000 Safe Drivers. The field teams really enjoyed the recognition and celebrations."

Concluding her speech, Doucette reflected on one thing she encourages everyone in the fleet industry to remember.

"In work and in life, Our People Are Our Best Part. Empower and encourage everyone to be their best."

Award Runner-up and Finalists

The AALA fleet member companies initiate the nominating process by submitting candidates who they feel best meet the award qualifications. Self-nominations from individuals and companies are also accepted.

AALA's fleet management executives review the nominees and choose the winner.

Joyce cited this year's runner-up as Kim Cregar, fleet manager at Lilly, in second place, and Douglas Shawley, safety analyst at the Fairfax County (VA) Department of Vehicle Services, in third place.

2024 finalists include (in no particular order):

• Darcy Shepley, Ventura Directional Drilling, Inc.

• Amanda Rose, fleet manager of DOT & Driver Compliance, Ferguson Enterprises LLC

• Michael Duffy and Brian Park, transportation operation and fleet manager and professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia

• Matt Busman, transportation safety manager, Inontime Company

• Jeffrey Tews, fleet operations manager, City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works

• Stephanie Jackson, director of safety, The Wes Stewart Corporation

• Hiram Salcedo, manager - operations, Orange County Property Appraiser

• Ken Foster, director of global fleet operations, Global Supply Management & Fulfillment-Fleet Management, Johnson Controls Inc.

• John Hatchett, director of transportation, Amedisys Inc.

• John Holland, director of safety, Venture Logistics

• Ari Raptis, CEO and founder, Talaria LLC and National Secure Transport (NST)

Recent Fleet Safety Award Winners

• 2023: Eric Richardson of New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)

• 2022: Mark Peabody of 3M 

• 2021: Frank A. Merlock of AbbVie 

• 2020: Katie Franssen & Sharon Etherington of Roche Diagnostics

• 2019: Dina Kushaliyeva & Abigail Bogle of Direct Energy