In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are one of the most common ways to die on the job. Not only do these incidents impact the mental and physical health of employees, but they cost employers nearly $40 billion a year. Operating a vehicle is both a safety risk and a responsibility.

Safe driving doesn’t have to be complicated. Use these free resources to get ready for getting behind the wheel and staying safer on the road – and commit to protecting yourself and others.

Create a common-sense safe driving policy

The average driver encounters dozens of distractions behind the wheel: tempting snacks, ringing cell phones, a GPS demanding a return to the planned route. More serious safety violations, like intoxication or going without a seat belt, pose a risk to drivers, passengers, and others on the road.

Written policies encourage employees to take personal responsibility for following safety rules and protocols. Use these safety rules as a starting point to develop a common-sense safe driving policy.

• Bus Driver Safety
• Cell Phones and Company Driving
• Defensive Driving
• Driver Safety
• Drug and Alcohol Policy
• Safe Driving Policy
• Seat Belt Use Policy
• Trucking Safety Driving

Train employees to be defensive drivers

The best time to talk about safe driving is all the time. This is especially true if your employees operate vehicles daily. It’s important to train employees to be defensive drivers and have frequent conversations about safety behind the wheel.

A safety meeting can be as simple as a morning chat around the coffee pot or as developed as a pre-planned monthly gathering. Choose a topic to cover today:

• Aggressive Driving
• Distracted Driving
• Fatigued Driving
• Safe Driving
• Seat Belt Use
• Off-Road Recovery and Steer Tire Blowouts

Custom training for your workplace

Unsure of how to equip your team with the right safe driving skills? Managing a large workforce with varied schedules? We offer on-demand virtual training through our learning management system with courses covering return to work, OSHA requirements, and a variety of other safety topics.

To get started with our online learning management system, contact our team using this form.

Best safe driving practices

Getting your team to practice safe driving techniques takes a clear commitment from leadership. Start by setting realistic goals, and then provide your employees with the resources and motivation to get there. Teach employees about the best safe driving practices, including:

1. Always wear a seat belt. Seat belts save lives. No matter how short the trip, employers should require employees to buckle up while on company business.
2. Control your speed. Faster speeds increase the chance of a severe crash. Encourage employees to plan for trips so they aren’t pressured to hit the gas.
3. Avoid distracted driving. Distractions compete for a driver’s attention behind the wheel. Set clear guidelines on cell phone use and limit how much time an employee can spend behind the wheel.
4. Avoid impaired driving. Impairment by fatigue, drugs, or alcohol can double a driver’s reaction time. Consider adding a drug and alcohol policy to your company’s safety program. Encourage rest breaks during longer trips.
5. Perform regular vehicle maintenance. A pre-trip inspection of a vehicle can prevent unwelcome surprises during a journey.

Observe to make sure safety rules are being followed on the job

The purpose of safety rules is to prevent injuries. Communicate safe driving policies early – as soon as new hire orientation – and often. When employees truly understand what is expected of them, managers are then more empowered to enforce safety rules.

The benefits of telematics

Telematics improves fleet management by offering employers a comprehensive view of driver behavior. From driver speed and braking to a vehicle’s run time, the insights reveal risky behavior and help keep drivers safe. In recent years, telematics has been increasingly useful for employers managing a large fleet or specializing in transportation.

Learn how telematics can benefit your business by contacting our Safety and Risk Services team.

Take corrective action when unsafe driving is discovered

Enforcement is the most important element of safety rules. Some employers may hesitate to implement disciplinary action for employees who don’t follow them. However, safety guidelines in the workplace aren’t a suggestion – they are there to keep people safe. Disciplinary action is an essential step in preventing further, more serious incidents. Save our sample disciplinary policy and safety violation form to assist in handling these situations.

For policy violation incidents that result in an injury and work comp claim, use our more detailed incident corrective action form to help get you started.