What we can do to help

• A review of your existing fleet safety and accident-prevention programs
• Assistance in developing and implementing fleet safety and accident-prevention programs
• Consultation on applicable regulations
• Driver safety training, including van driver training, straight truck driver training and driver programs
• Fleet accident investigation techniques

Factors that can affect your fleet program
You should allow only employees who have demonstrated adequate driver skills and safe driving behavior to operate your vehicles, which means you need to select the right person for the job.

Driver experience - Statistics show that younger drivers have more accidents, so don’t allow inexperienced drivers to drive alone. An experienced driver should accompany all new drivers until they become familiar with your vehicle, routes and territory, and until they demonstrate adequate skills.

Driver behavior - For most drivers, you don’t get to see how they’re actually driving. Here are a few ways you can learn:

• Inspect your vehicle
• Request input from employees and customers
• Establish a toll-free number for reporting bad driving
• Review prior driving records and motor vehicle records; repeat violations are a red flag that someone’s driving behavior is unsafe.

Vehicle maintenance - Although driver error is the principal cause of most accidents, it is important that you perform regular preventive maintenance on your vehicles. Simple things like broken signal lights can contribute to an accident.

Vehicle condition - Clutter on the dashboard can interfere with visibility. Broken seatbelts will not protect occupants in a collision. And dirty vehicles are poor advertisements for your company.

Driver safety training - Improving your drivers’ safety knowledge and awareness improves safe driving behavior. Consider regularly scheduled driver safety training sessions, even short toolbox-type discussions.

Accident reporting and investigation - Do your drivers know what to do in case of an accident? Do you have an accident reporting kit in the vehicle? How and why did the accident occur? What can be learned from the accident? What corrective action can you take that will reduce the potential for a similar accident in the future?