If your employees drive as part of their job they are likely supervised and obliged to report any accidents or driving-related incidents while working. But what about their driving behaviors when they’re off the job?
Driving can be one of the most dangerous activities employees engage in, so putting a policy in place to regularly monitor their driving records can protect both your business and your drivers.
Encouraging safe driving behaviors can:
1. Keep drivers with a poor history off the road.
A driver’s past record generally indicates their future driving behavior. As part of the hiring process, check the motor vehicle records for all prospective company drivers. It’s also a good idea to run an annual driving record check as an employee with a clean driving record, might have an off-duty accident after they’re hired.
2. Alert management to the need for further training.
Your company driving policy should require drivers to report infractions, including outside of work, and provide additional training for any drivers who run into problems on the road.
3. Improve your company’s reputation for safety.
Prioritizing the safety of your employees and the community by employing drivers with a safe driving record will reflect positively on your business.
4. Control costs.
The costs of an off-the-job crash can go well beyond a one-time health benefit payout. The after-effects of an auto accident can lead to a decline in the employee’s health, well-being, and productivity, as well increased insurance costs.
5. Avoid litigation.
Motor vehicle record checks are an important step in protecting against negligent automobile claims. Establishing clear expectations of your employees by developing a clear, strong driving policy can also reduce your legal costs.
Creating your company driving policy
Your company driving policy should set clear expectations and define the number of violations an employee can have before losing the privilege of driving for work. The American Society of Safety Professionals’ “Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations” standard is a helpful resource.
Once your policy is in place, make sure you have employees sign to acknowledge that they’ve received it and consent to the release of their motor vehicle records, since there are privacy issues associated with the use of those records.
Insights and expertise
This document is advisory in nature and is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is an overview only, and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your insurance broker, or for legal, engineering or other professional advice.
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