Even after you’ve purchased the appropriate level of auto insurance for your business vehicle, there are additional steps you can take in order to minimize the risk of accidents, and their resultant injuries, when your employees get behind the wheel.
The following tips will help you keep your employees and your vehicles safe while on the road, and reduce the risk of major headaches that would otherwise occur.
Set Firm Rules
Regardless of how your employees drive their own vehicles, they should follow your strict rules whenever they hit the road in your company’s car or truck.
You should establish that every driver and passenger has to wear a seat belt every time they enter the vehicle. This simple act can dramatically reduce the severity of any injuries that would occur during an accident, and can even prevent death.
Another good rule to set is a zero tolerance for drunk driving. Just one alcoholic drink could impair an employee’s ability to drive with enough of a reaction time to avoid accidents, so your workers shouldn’t ever be allowed to drink or use any other types of intoxicants while they’re on the job.
And, finally, make it a point to prevent cell phone use while on the road. Talking or texting can distract a driver and result in serious accidents, and police officers in many states pull drivers over and issue tickets for using a cell phone while behind the wheel.
Have Employees Take a Defensive Driving Course
To really prove that they have what it takes to use your vehicle for business purposes, have employees who will be driving during work hours and for work purposes take a defensive driving course like the 247 Texas driver safety.
These courses cover important and relevant crash statistics, the dangers of operating a vehicle under the influence, the various elements, from speed to vehicle size, that impact a crash, and safety equipment. Students also learn accident prevention techniques, your state’s traffic and driving laws, and the risks of getting behind the wheel when angry, stressed, or tired.
Really Get to Know Your Employees First
Before allowing any employee to operate your company vehicle, make sure that you really get to know them and their driving habits by checking their driving record. You can do so by contacting the DMV and asking for a list of past infractions. Employees who have a history of moving violations or accidents shouldn’t be allowed to drive your company vehicle.
Also, beyond their past violations, you want to get to know each individual’s personality and avoid allowing those with bad tempers and other negative traits to get behind the wheel. After all, you don’t want someone who has road rage to get into an accident while on the job simply because they can’t control themselves.
By being smart about who you allow behind the wheel of your company vehicle, and by enforcing the right rules, you can minimize the risk of any accidents or injuries that would take their toll on your business.
