Fleet vehicle accidents happen every day, some from reckless driving or distractions, while others are due to the conditions of the road or the vehicle itself. Follow these important tips for preventing or reducing fleet vehicle accidents.
Perform Routine Maintenance
Many fleet vehicle accidents occur not because of the driver or outside circumstances, but because of the vehicle itself. This is why it is important to always perform regular maintenance and repairs of your fleet vehicles. Keep record of when they go through check-ups and never miss a day. Some things that you want looked at with your fleet vehicles are their headlights and tail lights, all fluid levels, brakes, tires, battery and engine. Small things also must work, like the air conditioning or heater and windshield wipers.
Prevent Distracted Driving
One of the best ways to prevent accidents due to the fault of your drivers is by teaching them the significance of distracted driving, and most importantly, how to prevent it. Getting distracted while driving is easy to do. It can occur when eating or drinking, using their phone, or accessing the GPS or radio in the vehicle. While each of these things seem minor and like something an employee can do safely while driving, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Distracted driving is highly dangerous and leads to accidents much more frequently than you probably think.
Train Your Employees Properly
All drivers should be adequately trained in using the fleet vehicles, avoiding distracted driving and following all safety protocols you set for them. Have regular training sessions with your drivers so they know how to avoid accidents and to handle your vehicles accordingly. This includes monitoring their behavior to ensure they are all driving safely, and investigating any accident reports.
Have All Drivers Sign a Contract
After training your drivers, have them signing a contract stating they agree to your rules and regulations. This lets them know they must abide by certain rules while driving, not that they are simply recommended. It is a legally binding contract, which can go far with encouraging them to drive properly every time they are in one of your fleet vehicles.
Perform a MVR
A motor vehicle record (MVR) is a type of check that is done to look at someone’s driving record. It is highly recommended that you perform an MVR on every driver before you hire them. It will show how many times they have been pulled over and if they have any accidents on their record. It also shows any instances of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Investigate All Accidents
Any time you have an employee driver that has accident with your fleet, investigate it to the fullest. By reviewing and investigating crashes, you will be able to determine the cause, and whether or not you have drivers who are being reckless.
Not only should you follow these tips, but also have commercial auto insurance just in case one of your employees gets into a collision.
