Direct Energy's manager of health, safety, and environment was honored with the Fleet Safety award for her role in the successful implementation and utilization of a driver scorecard to measure and monitor driver safety.

Dina Kushaliyeva, senior HSE Manager, North America, for Direct Energy was named the winner of the 2019 Fleet Safety award at the Fleet Safety Conference, held Henderson, NV., at the M Resort Spa Casino near the Las Vegas Strip October 28-30, 2019.

Kushaliyeva earned the award in part for helping to establish an internal driver scorecard program for her fleet, which consists of an algorithm of points that measures anything from MVR situations, training, public concerns, etc. This program was also mapped to the company’s telematics program to further improve operations.

She has been with Direct Energy for more than 13 years and has served in her current role with the company for nearly five years. Kushaliyeva oversees a fleet of approximately 900 vehicles.

Mapping the scorecard program to a telematics solution allowed Direct Energy to risk rank drivers via an automated online platform that provides real-time feedback to the driver and the associated line manager of a driver’s score rating is in “high risk” category.

The telematics system used was selected based on its ability to impact real-life driver behaviors with “in-cab” coaching. The in-cab coaching allowed her to continually reduce inappropriate driver behavior and maintain good behaviors over the last few years. The resulting benefits included managing to reduce the average of 20 injuries per year resulting from auto collisions in 2016 to two in 2018 and decreasing the number of accidents.

Additional safety measures currently in place for the fleet include drug/alcohol testing; online and behind the wheel training; a safe driver rewards program; and more.

 The Fleet Safety Award, first presented in 2012, is co-sponsored by Bobit Business Media, publisher of Automotive Fleet, and the American Automotive Leasing Association. The award recognizes candidates who show leadership, innovation, and measurable results in enhancing the safety of their employees, those traveling with them, and everyone else who shares the road.

Previous winners include Blair Schober, U.S. Fleet, EH&S, and Telecom Manager for Red Hawk Fire & Security; Joe Rader, VP of risk services for Fisher Auto Parts; Nikith Rajendran, director of fleet operations for SolarCity; Chad Fay, vice president of Fleet & Supply Chain at Centuri Construction Group; Sandra Lee, director of worldwide fleet for Johnson & Johnson; Kristin O’Driscoll, fleet manager for Baxter Healthcare.