As trucking fleets lean more heavily on cameras, telematics and onboard technology to monitor driver behavior, many still struggle with a fundamental challenge: turning training into a consistent, measurable program rather than a one-time event. Smith System, a longtime provider of driver safety training, is aiming to address that gap with the launch of Trainer Center, a new digital platform designed to modernize how fleets operate and scale the Smith System Certified Trainer Program. “Fleets don’t struggle with commitment to safety — they struggle with running safety programs at scale with consistent execution and real visibility,” Dunaway said in an interview with FreightWaves. “Trainer Center is really about supporting customers in running training as a program, not just an event.” Trainer Center digitizes behind-the-wheel assessments, standardizes trainer workflows and generates Smith5Keys-based driver scorecards, giving safety leaders clearer visibility into driver performance and training effectiveness across large, distributed fleets. Founded in 1952, Smith System is provider of driver safety training and risk management. The company has trained millions of drivers worldwide using its Smith5Keys methodology. Moving training beyond paperwork and checklists For many large carriers, trainer-led programs still rely heavily on paper evaluations, spreadsheets or local processes that vary by terminal. According to Dunaway, that makes it difficult to answer basic questions such as which trainers are most effective, which drivers need additional coaching, or whether training is translating into safer on-road behavior. Trainer Center centralizes those processes. Trainers record assessments digitally, and those observations automatically feed into a driver’s Smith5Keys…
