Adding a driver safety program to your fleet can reduce employee risks, lower maintenance costs, and even save money on insurance premiums. It also reduces potential legal liability if an accident occurs that damages company vehicles or injures employees on company time.
The initial training your drivers receive may be sufficient to get them licensed, but your organization should provide ongoing, recurring education on safe driving. Driver safety programs are a significant investment in employee health and the safety of others on the road.
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Preventing Accidents
The best way to prevent accidents is by educating drivers about what causes them. This can be done by providing safety training programs for all types of vehicles. Such programs can teach drivers about the risks of passing other vehicles on the right, driving while tired, and how to handle emergencies. They can also provide training on handling a vehicle that stalls in the middle of the road or what to do if a tire blows out on a highway.
In addition to educational programs, fleet managers can incorporate a driver rewards program that incentivizes drivers to adhere to safety regulations. This helps mitigate ill-will from new rules and ensures widespread program adoption.
Besides making the roads safer, a drivers safety program can help reduce trucking company liability risks. It can do this by providing ongoing training that cultivates safe driving skills in all employees. In addition, many insurance providers offer lower premiums to companies that routinely train their staff on safety techniques.
The most common cause of workplace injuries is motor vehicle crashes. These accidents can be deadly, resulting in lost work time and expensive medical bills for the injured worker. The good news is that most of these incidents are preventable. For example, using an on-board accident detection system can prevent accidents caused by inattentive or distracted driving.
Defensive Driving Skills
One of the most important defensive driving skills is always being aware of your surroundings. This will allow you to anticipate other drivers’ actions and avoid accidents before they happen. Scanning your mirrors and looking ahead of you for potential hazards is also crucial. Looking 15 seconds ahead of you is a good rule of thumb since it provides you plenty of time to adjust to any changes in the road.
Another defensive driving skill is creating space around your vehicle. Rear-end crashes, the primary cause of traffic fatalities in the US can be caused by a tailgating driver. If you are being followed by a car, pull into the right-hand lane or a safe parking area and let the tailgating driver pass.
A defensive driving course is a great way to learn about safe driving practices and avoid risky situations. These courses will teach you about best practices and avoiding common mistakes that could lead to severe consequences.
Defensive driving skills also include driving safely in bad weather conditions like rain. Braking times increase significantly during rainy weather, so leaving extra space between you and the car in front of you is crucial. In addition, it is essential to be ready to turn on your headlights anytime.
Keeping Young Drivers On The Road
Teen drivers are particularly susceptible to unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, distracted and drowsy driving. These behaviors can be dangerous for everyone on the road. Fortunately, new technologies offer the potential to protect young drivers in previously unimaginable ways. In addition, policies and laws can influence driver behavior.
Employers can help prevent teenage accidents by providing safe vehicles and enforcing company driving policies. Companies should also encourage teen employees to wear seat belts while on the job. They should also prohibit texting, phone calls, or other electronic use while driving. Similarly, they should discourage the use of illegal drugs and prescription and over-the-counter medications that could impair driving ability.
Many local communities and vehicle insurance providers offer defensive driving courses focusing on teen safety. These programs can provide additional training and skills beyond those taught in standard driver education courses. In addition, they can reduce vehicle insurance rates.
Preventing Liability
The best way to reduce liability is by instituting a formal fleet safety program. It must be comprehensive and reach all employees who drive company vehicles. This program should include a process for screening new hires, ongoing annual updates, and a progressive discipline system for fleet safety violations. It also should establish procedures for documenting discussions/actions regarding drivers with poor driving records, telematics issues, preventable vehicle collisions, and DOT violations.
Many commercial vehicle accidents are not the driver’s fault, yet they often get blamed.
In addition to training, a strong driver’s safety program should involve dash cams and ongoing driver coaching. These can help to prevent aggressive driving, which increases the risk of an accident. The camera can also help exonerate your driver in an at-fault accident and document other unsafe behavior on the road. In addition, it is essential to ensure that your drivers have the right vehicle equipment, such as dual-facing dashcams. They can help to identify sloppy driving and provide proof when a claim is made against your business.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
