Buckle up for success with a company vehicle safety program

Sometimes driving is part of the job, and like every other task, it must be done safely. However, transportation incidents have been the leading cause of workplace fatalities for several years. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that in 2023, transportation incidents accounted for 36.8 percent (1,942) of all occupational fatalities. Industries with the highest number of transportation-related fatalities include:

• Transportation and warehousing;
• Construction;
• Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting; and
• Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services.

What do the regulations say?

Data from the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) show that on-the-job highway crashes cost employers an estimated $26,000 per crash and over $78,000 per injury! While there’s no OSHA regulation on company vehicle safety, the agency recommends that employers who provide company vehicles have an effective workplace driver safety program in place to help reduce the risk of accidents. Such a program can:

• Save lives and reduce injuries,
• Protect company resources (people and property), and
• Reduce liability risks.

Rev up your training program

Wondering where to start? A 10-step program developed by NETS, OSHA, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides guidance for employers. These best practices can help you create a robust company vehicle training program that promotes safety and reduces the likelihood of accidents.

1. Senior management leads, supports, and enforces the program, but employee participation and involvement are essential to its success. 
2. Set clearly defined policies and procedures for seat belt use and use of cellphones, reporting collisions and moving violations, restricting alcohol and drug use, driver eligibility requirements, vehicle selection standards, vehicle inspections, vehicle preventive maintenance programs, collision investigations, disciplinary action, incentive programs, employee performance reviews, and training program participation.
3. Have drivers sign an agreement that they are aware of, understand, and will follow the vehicle safety policies and procedures.
4. Periodically review each driver’s motor vehicle record and set eligibility requirements for drivers.
5. Establish a process to report and investigate all crashes, regardless of the severity. Drivers should be instructed on what to do in case of a collision.
6. Set procedures for vehicle selection, maintenance, and inspection. Drivers should know how to report issues noticed while driving.
7. Address violations of the vehicle safety program through a disciplinary action system. The employer should retain the right to remove an employee’s driving privileges for certain violations of the program.
8. Reward employees who consistently drive safely or otherwise contribute to the success of the vehicle safety program.
9. Provide ongoing driver safety training. This should cover your company’s policies and procedures as well as topics like distracted, defensive, and fatigued driving; weather-related safety; heat and cold stress; and communication procedures or expectations, particularly for lone drivers.
10. Ensure vehicles and drivers comply with all applicable highway safety laws and regulations.