Keeping your employees safe on the road is a top priority for any business owner. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and they often happen without warning. That’s why it’s so important to have a solid plan to keep your employees safe while driving to work. Here are six tips to help you do just that.
1. Conduct Regular Training Sessions on Defensive Driving Techniques
No matter how long your employees have been behind the wheel, it’s always a good idea to brush up on their defensive driving skills. By conducting regular training sessions, you can help your employees stay alert and aware of their surroundings while they’re on the road. Additionally, these sessions can also help identify any problem areas that need to be addressed.
You can either hold these sessions in-house or send your employees to an outside defensive driving course. Either way, make sure you choose a program that is approved by the National Safety Council (NSC) or a similar organization.
2. Encourage Your Employees to Take Breaks Frequently
Your employees must take breaks every couple of hours when driving long distances. They can stretch their legs, get some fresh air, and, most importantly, rest their eyes by taking breaks. This will help them stay alert and focused during their drive. You can either set a company policy or offer incentives for employees who take breaks frequently.
No matter what you do, ensure your employees know it’s okay to take breaks. You don’t want them to feel like they must push through fatigue to get the job done. While it may seem like productivity is more important, it’s not worth risking an accident.
3. Provide Your Employees With Emergency Kits for Their Vehicles
If an accident or breakdown occurs, your employees need access to an emergency kit. This kit should include essentials like a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and a reflective triangle. With this kit on hand, your employees will be prepared for anything coming their way. Here are some other items you may want to consider adding to the kit:
- Spare tire and jack
- Jumper cables
- flares or reflective triangles
- Ice scraper
- Snow shovel
4. Regularly Check for Alcohol and Drug Use
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure your employees are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job. You can do this by implementing regular random drug tests. This will help you catch any employees who may be using before they get behind the wheel.
In case of an accident, help your employees by having an experienced DUI lawyer, but make sure to have a policy in place, so they know the consequences of breaking it. You don’t want anyone to feel like they can get away with drinking and driving.
5. Give Your Employees Incentives for Safe Driving
One of the best ways to encourage safe driving is to offer incentives for employees who practice it. You can create a point system or offer monthly prizes for the safest drivers. This will give your employees something to strive for and help them stay focused while on the road.
While it’s important to incentivize safe driving, you don’t want to put too much emphasis on it. You don’t want your employees to feel like they have to take risks to earn points. Just offer the incentive as a way to show your appreciation for their efforts.
6. Install a GPS Tracking System in Vehicles
A GPS tracking system can help you keep an eye on your employees while they’re on the road. This system lets you see their speed, location, and route. This information can be used to improve your company’s overall safety plan.
GPS tracking systems also have the added benefit of helping you save money on fuel costs. By knowing where your employees are and how they’re driving, you can make changes to your fleet to improve efficiency.
Bonus Tip: Educate Your Employees on the Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents. To help prevent these accidents, educate your employees on the dangers of distracted driving. Let them know that it’s not just phone use that can be a distraction, but anything that takes their focus off the road.
Explain the consequences of distracted driving, and make sure your employees know that you take it seriously. You can even offer additional incentives for employees who don’t get into accidents caused by distracted driving.
Following these tips can help keep your employees safe on the road. However, accidents can still happen despite our best efforts. If one of your employees is involved in an accident while driving for work, be sure to investigate the accident thoroughly and consult with an attorney if necessary.
