Recent research shows that a company can lose anywhere between $16,000 and $75,000 due to a single fleet vehicle accident. While it's more or less impossible to prevent accidents from occurring, you can shield your business better to alleviate the aftermath in case of a vehicle-related peril. That's where a fleet safety program comes in handy. It is a program that protects your fleet vehicles and employees from traffic accidents.
Experienced drivers know the ins and outs of driving and are less likely to cause car crashes. Contrarily, novice drivers may forget basics such as fastening their safety belts, signaling before lane changes, and observing traffic lights. These, among others, can result in road accidents. Unsurprisingly, more than 40 percent of drivers are involved in traffic accidents in their first year of driving. Keeping this in mind, ensure that your workforce is comprised of qualified and experienced drivers to ensure greater safety.
It is one thing to be a driver and another to be a fleet vehicle driver. Even with the right driving skills and experience, a driver may require additional training to handle some vehicles. This is because certain fleet vehicles require special driving skills. For instance, you need special training to safely drive a heavy-duty truck, an ambulance, a school bus, or any other type of fleet vehicle. Even long-distance driving requires special training. Therefore, equip your drivers with the unique driving skills and knowledge necessary for handling their specific fleet vehicle.
A workplace fleet safety program isn't complete without governing policies. Developing rules and regulations to guide operations can enhance safety. Standard fleet safety policies include:
These are just a few of the essential policies that can help ensure the safety of employees and business vehicles. It would be best if you tailored such policies to fit your business requirements when formulating them.
On average, your fleet vehicles should undergo servicing every six months to one year. Even so, this depends on the frequency of usage and the distance traveled. Preventive maintenance helps to eliminate minor problems that would otherwise turn into major ones and cause accidents. It also lowers business costs by preventing costly and fatal accidents. That said, your fleet safety program should ensure that all vehicles are serviced periodically.
It’s good practice to review your fleet safety program periodically. This will enable you to add valuable aspects over time or eliminate those that don't positively impact the safety of employees and fleet vehicles.
Carrying the right commercial auto insurance is arguably the best way to protect your business from fleet-related losses. Talk to the team at Tompkins Insurance Agencies to secure reliable commercial auto insurance coverage in NY and PA. We can help you find the solutions that work best for your business.
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