Your Employees’ Commitment To Safe Driving Starts With You
by Caitlin Way
We’ve all had mornings that don’t go as planned. We see drivers on our commute who seem desperate to get to work on time. Maybe you are one of the 64 percent of drivers who are comfortable speeding, as reported by the National Safety Council. But how much time does speeding actually save? For a 30-mile trip, going 65 mph in a 55 mph zone will save a driver only five minutes.
Car crashes are the most common cause of on-the-job fatalities in every business sector, and a growing concern for business owners. What can you do to ensure your employees are driving safely both on and off the job? The most effective way to influence your employees’ driving behaviors is to provide resources and have them sign written policies. Give your employees the “why” and the “how” of safe driving with these five tips.
5 Best Practices to Keep Employees Safe on the Road
Always wear a seat belt. According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, most crashes happen within 15 miles of home. Implement a strong policy requiring employees to wear seat belts when driving on company business, and urge them to buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip.
Control your speed. Faster speeds mean higher risk of a higher severity crash. At higher speeds, braking takes longer and loss of vehicle control is more likely, especially where evasive action is needed. Encourage employees to plan ahead for trips so they don’t feel pressured to drive fast.
Avoid distracted driving. Set clear guidelines on cell phone use in the car. On long trips, encourage employees to stop every two hours to stretch, and set a limit for the number of miles they can safely drive each day. Support them in stopping for a short nap (15-45 minutes) if they become tired while driving.
Avoid impaired driving. Impairment by fatigue, drugs or alcohol can double a driver’s reaction time. Stress the importance of keeping a clear mind behind the wheel. Educate employees about the warning signs of an impaired driver, like swerving, driving very slowly, and braking erratically. Caution them to stay at a safe distance and alert the police if there is an unsafe driver on the road.
Perform regular vehicle maintenance. Keep fleet vehicles in proper repair and perform maintenance at the recommended mileage intervals. Have vehicles inspected annually and provide employees with a form for documenting maintenance and requesting repairs.
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. Some common goals are reducing liability, improving productivity, and of course, protecting your people. Find safety tutorials and sample driving policies at worksafecenter.com.
Caitlin Way (cway@mem-ins.com or 573.499.4236) is a Marketing Communication Specialist at Missouri Employers Mutual, Missouri’s number one provider of workers compensation insurance. MEM can help you eliminate injuries and reduce your work comp costs. Visit www.worksafecenter.com for your workplace safety needs.
Submitted 6 years 205 days ago