Ensuring Safety on the Road: The Importance of Employee Driver Standards and Practices

Ensuring Safety on the Road: The Importance of Employee Driver Standards and Practices

In the pest and termite control industry, your employees spend a significant amount of time on the road, traveling between client locations. Ensuring the safety of your employees, clients, and the general public is paramount. This is why establishing clear and stringent employee driver standards and practices is essential. Here’s why these standards matter and some best practices to consider implementing in your business.

Why Driver Standards Matter

1. Safety First: The primary reason for driver standards is the safety of everyone involved. Accidents can result in injuries, fatalities, and significant emotional and financial costs.
2. Reputation Management: Your vehicles represent your company. Safe driving practices reflect positively on your brand, while accidents or traffic violations can damage your reputation.
3. Legal and Financial Implications: Accidents and violations can lead to legal troubles, increased insurance premiums, and potential lawsuits. Implementing driver standards helps mitigate these risks.
4. Efficiency and Productivity: Safe driving practices can reduce vehicle wear and tear, lower maintenance costs, and minimize downtime due to accidents or traffic stops.

Key Practices for Employee Driver Standards

1. Running Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs)

• Why: MVRs provide a detailed history of an employee’s driving record. This helps in assessing their suitability for driving company vehicles.
• How: Obtain written permission from the employee before accessing their MVR. Review these reports regularly, not just at the time of hiring, to ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards.

2. Strict No Personal Use Policy

• Why: Allowing personal use of company vehicles can lead to increased wear and tear, higher fuel costs, and greater risk of accidents.
• How: Clearly communicate that company vehicles are for business use only. Monitor vehicle usage through GPS tracking or mileage logs to ensure compliance.

3. No Cell Phone Use While Driving

• Why: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents. Implementing a no cell phone use policy can significantly reduce the risk of incidents.
• How: Educate employees about the dangers of distracted driving. Equip vehicles with hands-free devices if necessary, but encourage pulling over safely before making calls or responding to messages.

4. Regular Training and Reminders

• Why: Continuous education helps reinforce safe driving practices and keeps safety top of mind.
• How: Conduct regular training sessions on safe driving techniques, defensive driving, and the specific policies your company has in place. Use reminders through emails, meetings, or signage in vehicles.

5. Vehicle Maintenance Checks

• Why: Well-maintained vehicles are safer and more reliable.
• How: Implement a regular maintenance schedule and ensure that vehicles are inspected and serviced routinely. Encourage employees to report any issues immediately.

6. Incident Reporting and Analysis

• Why: Understanding the causes of accidents or near-misses can help in preventing future incidents.
• How: Develop a clear procedure for reporting accidents or unsafe driving incidents. Review these reports to identify trends and implement corrective actions.

In summary:
Creating and enforcing driver standards and practices is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a commitment to the safety and well-being of your employees and the community. By running motor vehicle reports, enforcing a no personal use policy, banning cell phone use while driving, providing regular training, ensuring vehicle maintenance, and analyzing incidents, you can build a culture of safety and responsibility on the road.

As a client of Bone Robertson & McBride, Inc. we run your motor vehicle reports every year, prior to hiring new employees or as you need them. There is no charge for this service. Reviewing the reports is helpful for you to determine if the employee is an acceptable driver and to review any associated costs or issues with your Insurance carrier if you do choose to hire someone with a less than perfect report.  Additionally, we can assist you with implementing personal use and cell phone use policies.

Are you in need of a Commercial Auto Insurance quote? With many Insurance carriers leaving the State of California and/or increasing their rates, now is a great time to take a look at other options.

Please contact Aimee Padden info@brmins.com or 800-510-1095 X 107 for a free quote or consultation.