GREEN BAY, Wis. — Schneider National’s drivers will be getting a customized lesson in distracted driving courtesy of L-3 MPRI, a provider of simulation-based training.

The fully interactive lesson, which will be rolled out to Schneider’s fleet of 13,000+ drivers in the first quarter of 2011, including its Canadian drivers, is designed to increase driver safety and improve the company’s performance in exceeding new federal safety regulations.

“Distracted driving is a recognized epidemic, accounting for 16% of traffic fatalities in 2009, and we are committed to ensuring our drivers and owner/operators are properly trained in the safest operating practices to combat this rising trend,” said Don Osterberg, senior vice-president of safety and security for Schneider National. “Based on past successes, we worked with L-3 MPRI to collaborate with, create and deliver a holistic, custom training program to support and advance Schneider’s long-standing core value of safety first and always.”

The lesson is designed to play on Schneider’s in-cab mobile computing platform or on a standard Windows workstation, meaning it can be completed nearly anywhere and anytime, as long as the truck is not in motion. Comprised of flash video instruction and three checks on learning exercises, it provides up to 30 minutes of training that can be taken all at once or separated into three topic areas. It will be delivered as part of Schneider’s ongoing sustainment training initiative.

“Schneider is at the forefront of addressing distracted driving, from carrier policies and technology to legislation, regulation and research,” said Dennis Corrigan, senior vice-president and general manager of L-3 MPRI’s training systems group. “The company’s decision to employ this state-of-the-art, custom lesson on a mobile platform underscores its commitment to safety-related education and innovation – Schneider is truly a safety leader among carriers.”

A range of driver distraction scenarios are detailed in the course, with an emphasis on those most common to truckload drivers. The content features multiple videos captured from one of Schneider’s L-3 MPRI driver training simulators to illustrate events that are difficult to replicate on the road without putting the driver, the rig or others at risk, officials said. Also featured are in-cab videos filmed at a Schneider training centre.

The curriculum, content and avatar were custom-designed by L-3 MPRI’s instructional system designers to meet Schneider’s specific needs.