Elements of a Fleet Safety Program

Elements of a Fleet Safety Program

When you operate a fleet of vehicles, you have to worry about drivers having accidents. These claims can be high, about twice the cost of other workplace injuries. So, you want to have a dedicated fleet safety program. The fleet safety program outlines your workplace’s policies and procedures, which can help your employees avoid accidents.

One of the most essential components of a fleet safety program is fleet maintenance. Well-maintained vehicles are less likely to get into accidents – they can also minimize the severity of accidents. Maintenance means keeping windshield wipers working correctly to ensure visibility, keeping brakes in good working order, making sure tires are good, and keeping the car’s mechanics running well.

The other part of the fleet management program is focusing on the drivers. Some businesses do not even know how many of their employees drive for their business. You want to identify all drivers, including those driving personal or rented vehicles. If they are driving as part of your business, you should treat those drivers as part of your fleet.

Once you identify drivers, you should screen them. Do your drivers have a good safety record? Because many hiring programs do not look at driving records for employees unless their primary job is driving, you might be surprised to find that some drivers have terrible driving records. If you have drivers with bad histories, consider instituting a driver safety program that focuses on safety techniques and defensive driving strategies.

Keep in mind that accidents are going to happen. Set written policies and procedures for each accident. Then, when they occur, focus on managing the accident. That can help you reduce your exposure to liability after an accident.

Fleet insurance should be part of your fleet safety program. You can get flexible fleet insurance designed for your specific requirements. Keep in mind that your fleet should include all vehicles that you use in your business, not just delivery trucks. That helps separate auto accident liability from your general business liability. Capstone Insurance can help you find the insurance coverage that is right for your business.

Categorized in: Blog, Driver Vehicle Maintenance, Transportation Insurance