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Reducing Automobile Losses A loss prevention guide for business owners Auto accidents and your company's bottom line Work-related vehicle crashes can have a major impact on the safety and health of your employees -- and on the cost of operating your business. This guide is designed to help you.reduce the impact of vehicle-related crashes on your bottom line by providing specific tips for improving employee performance and safety. Successful companies use these practices, whether they operate just one vehicle or a fleet of thousands. Consider these statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, last year there were: ❑ 6,289,000 police-reported crashes ❑ 3,200,000 injuries ❑ 41,345 deaths ❑ 3 workers die each day from work-related.motor vehicle crashes. ❑ The leading cause of work-related injury, crashes accounted for 24%/a of all fatal workplace injuries. The cost associated with these crashes is considerable. Motor vehicle crash injuries on and off the job cost employers almost $55 billion in contributions to workers compensation, medical and disability insurance, life insurance, Social Security, auto liability and physical damage insurance. What you can do The moment your employees get behind the wheel to perform their duties as cii vers for your company, they face a number of situations over which you have no control: bad weather, poor road conditions, congested traffic and other drivers. However, you can have an influence on the quality of the people you. employ as drivers and the vehicles they operate. To help you, we recommend you follow these tips for improving safety and minimizing the chance that crashes will happen. Check the driving records of all new employees who may drive for work-related purposes before they are hired. Drivers must give their permission for you to obtain their motor vehicle driving record or"MVR." You can obtain MVR reports through your state Department of Motor Vehicles or purchase them from employment information vendors. Requesting. an MVR and taking the appropriate action is one of the most effixtive ways to prevent accidents. Make seat belt use personal, as well as company policy. Set a good.example by wearing a seatbelt and not tolerating exceptions to the rule. Crash data'indicates 63% of occupants of passenger vehicles killed in traffic crashes were not wearing seat belts. Agencies such as the National Safety Council, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Network.of Employers for Traffic Safety have good materials to help companies promote seat belt use. Take time to observe your employees'driving skills. NO assume all employees know how to drive safely. if you attend a defensive driving class or other driver improvement program, you will be in a better position to critique the skills of other drivers. Consider attending a behind-tire-wheel driver improvement program. This hands-on learning can have lasting benefits for you and your employees. Report vehicle crashes and.incidents immediate ly to your insurance carrier. This is critical to controlling your company's liability and costs. Make sure your employees know what to do if they're involved in an accident. Equip vehicles with glove box vehicle accident report forms as well as disposable cameras so drivers can.record damage and vehicles at the scene. F you don't train your employees how to report crashes and record information, you may be subject to additional costs and liability. Finally, review all claim reports to determine the causes of the crash and, when possible,eliminate them in the future. Recognize good drivers on your staff and publicize good results. Make driving safety a part of your business culture. Consider individual safety performance as you evaluate employees. Conversely, if you.are having a.problem with vehicle crashes, analyze the losses and determine the causes. Focus on the problems and recognize those who contribute to the solutions. Establish a clear policy of intolerance for impaired driving. Drivers who are fatigued, aff acted.by prescription or illegal drugs or alcohol are likelier to be involved in a crash Again, set a good example as an employer. Do not host parties or employee gatherings that promote irresponsible use cf alcohol or the use of drugs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that alcohol was involved in 39% of fatal crashes and 71/o of all crashes. Fatigue can also contribute to crashes. Make sure delivery schedules and driving tasks allow drivers adequate time to rest and operate within the law. 16-10-0196(Rev.01/01) Page 1 of 2