Companies with just a few service vans or trucks may think a fleet safety program is unnecessary. However, it takes only a few customers seeing a vehicle driven irresponsibly to jeopardize your firm’s reputation.
According to a series by John Bruce and published at www.safety xchange.org, a comprehensive fleet safety program is easy to create, takes little time, and pays big dividends. The policies he recommends for company-owned vehicles work equally well for employees who use their personal vehicles while on company business.
Where to start
Your company’s insurance agent may have a model safety policy that you can adapt to your needs. If not, it’s simple to develop your own.
The most powerful tool you have to guarantee that the proper people are sitting behind the wheel of your company vehicles is the driving record. Check the record of every potential or active driver, then recheck the records annually. Most motor vehicle departments provide driver record checks for a fee. However, your insurance carrier may do them as part of your pre-mium costs.
The fact that a candidate has moving violations doesn’t automatically make him or her unacceptable. It all depends on the nature of the violations and their frequency. Don’t hire candidates as drivers if they have two incidents in the past 12 months of excessive speed, at-fault accidents, or accidents involving lane changes, following too close, or sign or signal violations. You should also reject applicants with any instance in the past 12 months of:
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
• Fleeing and eluding an officer.
• Hit and run/leaving the scene of an accident.
• At-fault accident with personal injury or fatality.
• Reckless driving.
• Driving without a license.
Driver age is also an important consideration. The 100-Car Natura-listic Driving Study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that the rates of inattention-related crashes and near-crashes were four times higher for 18- to 20-year-old drivers.
Insurance companies advise scrutinizing potential drivers under the age of 25 carefully and restricting this age group to no more than 10 percent of drivers.
Training program
Your fleet safety program should include defensive driving lessons within six months for new drivers, or for all drivers. Numerous driving courses are available, including the National Safety Council Defensive Driving course. Sometimes insurance companies can provide the courses.
Treat your fleet safety program like other safety training programs and periodically remind people to drive defensively. Toolbox discussions work best, but also try memos, payroll stuffers, or newsletter articles. Don’t forget to document your training and refresher activities.
Your vehicle orientation should cover unique features such as anti-lock brakes, remote-control mirrors, and seat belt and head restraint adjustments. Put vehicle safety expectations in writing so that all your people clearly understand them. In particular, your people should be required to:
• Conduct regular vehicle safety inspections, keep the vehicle in good condition, and report mechanical or equipment problems to a supervisor.
• Practice defensive driving and courtesy.
• Use headlights (not parking lights) during times of reduced visibility
• Allow only authorized persons to operate or ride in vehicles.
• Shut off the vehicle and take the keys before exiting.
• Lock the vehicle when it is unattended
• Use seat belts at all times and ensure that passengers do, too
• Immediately report any moving violations, accidents, or changes in license status to a supervisor
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist if a prescription or over-the-counter medication will affect driving ability.
• Avoid using cell phones while driving.
Discipline policies
Your company should have someone assigned to investigate accidents involving the vehicles. Keep a list of current drivers and their license numbers. Your policies will determine what action to take against employees who violate fleet safety rules. Measures can include requiring an employee to take a course to improve driving skills.
No matter the vehicle, your drivers must never forget that they are company representatives. Driving courteously, maintaining alertness, and obeying all traffic laws will help them stay safe and enhance your company’s image.
