If you want to control your business insurance loss ratios, safe driving is a great place to start. For companies with fleets, accidents can result in significant property and liability claims. By educating your drivers, you can improve employee morale, customer satisfaction and driving down insurance loss ratios – all in one effort.
Where to find driver education resources
For the last 20 years, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety has sponsored an annual Drive Safely Work Week. The campaign includes information about distracted driving as well as self-assessment tools, all with the goal of encouraging the adoption of safe driving practices. Companies can access the material for free here.
Everyone needs to make a commitment to driving safely, and October is a great time to get started. Every year, traffic accidents lead to deaths, injuries and financial loss – much of which is preventable. In the transportation industry, safe driving is especially important due to the sheer amount of time spent on the road – the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that large trucks traveled a whopping 10,270,693 miles in 2011 alone.
Compelling stats to share with your team
- In 2015, 35,092 people died in car crashes in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is a 7.2 percent increase from 2014. Let’s reverse the trend and move that number down.
- In 2014, distracted driving led to accidents that caused 431,000 injuries and 3,179 deaths, according to the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving. Distracting driving often involves the use of cell phones, but can refer to anything activity that interferes with driving. Let’s keep our attention on the road.
- 20 percent of drivers admit to prioritizing speed when driving, according to a survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while speed contributes to approximately 10,000 traffic deaths each year. Let’s slow down.
- Accidents involving large trucks resulted in 3,903 deaths in 2014, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and another 111,000 people were injured. Let’s make sure our commercial drivers are well-rested and properly trained in the operation of their vehicles.
- Commercial motor vehicle crashes cost $87 billion in 2011, according the to U.S. Department of Transportation. Being safe is financially responsible, too. Let’s save money and lives.
If you want to help make our roads safer, be proactive. Don’t just assume your drivers are safe. Provide proper training, review good driving habits regularly and avoid incentivizing drowsy driving and speeding. If we work together, we can save lives.
October is a great time to focus on risk management and driver safety is a great place to start. While you’re at it, don’t forget to build your moving insurance program. If you haven’t already done so, learn more about becoming a moving insurance affiliate here.