Some of the statistics on vehicle crashes are startling. For example, a vehicle crash occurs every five seconds, someone is injured in a vehicle crash every 10 seconds, and someone dies in a car crash every 12 minutes.
Since most of these crashes occur on workdays or while a person is commuting to or from work, employers are often affected and bear costs when an employee involved in an accident misses work. For more on driving risks at work and general workplace hazards, see Vehicle Safety and Workplace Hazards.
Those crash statistics come from the Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes booklet produced by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, OSHA, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The booklet outlines a simple, practical driver safety program that can be implemented in most workplaces.
The program is only 10 steps and applies to businesses of all sizes, whether you operate a fleet or employees use personal vehicles for work.
Ten-step driver safety program
- Involve all levels of staff in the initial planning phase of the driver safety program. Secure commitment from senior management so employees see that leadership supports the program.
- Compose a written policy and procedure with explicit and enforceable rules regarding driver safety. Post the rules centrally and distribute them periodically to all employees.
- Have all employees, whether driving a company vehicle or their own, sign a safety contract acknowledging they’ve read and will follow the policy.
- Keep driving records on all employees and periodically review those records for violations. Specify in the policy how many violations will lead to revoking company-related driving privileges.
- Create a process to report and investigate all crashes, even minor ones. Make reporting mandatory and include an investigation method to determine preventability.
- Establish guidelines for selection, maintenance, and inspection of fleet vehicles. Consider safety features when selecting models, follow manufacturer maintenance intervals, and document annual inspections.
- Specify disciplinary actions for preventable accidents and traffic violations. Clearly outline consequences for each type of infraction and for repeat offenses within a set period.
- Establish an incentive program to recognize and reward employees who avoid accidents and traffic violations.
- Provide ongoing refresher courses on driver safety to reinforce the program.
- Take steps to ensure employees obey traffic laws and highway safety regulations; enforce consequences for shortcuts or unsafe driving habits.
Aside from the 10-step program, the booklet provides examples of successful safety programs, a worksheet to calculate a business’s losses from crashes, and information on traffic safety issues such as aggressive, distracted, drowsy, and impaired driving.
For guidance on insurance considerations related to employees who drive for work, see Safety and Insurance for Company Drivers. For information on workplace insurance intersections like workers' compensation and commercial auto coverage, see Workers' Compensation and Commercial Auto Insurance.
Keeping a clear, enforced driver safety program can reduce crashes, lower costs, and protect employees. If you want help implementing or reviewing your program, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should be involved in a workplace driver safety program?
Representation from senior management, supervisors, safety staff, and drivers should be involved to ensure the policy is practical and enforced.
What should a mandatory crash-reporting process include?
A clear requirement to report all incidents, an investigation procedure, documentation, and a review to determine preventability are key elements.
Should employers keep driving records for all employees?
Yes; maintaining and periodically reviewing driving records helps identify high-risk drivers and enforce safety rules consistently.
How often should employees receive refresher training?
Refresher intervals depend on risk exposure but offering training annually or after a violation or crash is a common practice.