Making Safe Driving Practices A Priority For All Employees Will Lower Workers Compensation Costs
Your Biggest Workers’ Comp Risk is On the Road
If you have employees who drive for any part of their job, motor vehicle accidents are one of your greatest financial exposures. They are the leading cause of on-the-job deaths and a primary driver of workers’ compensation claims.
This risk isn’t limited to companies with fleets of trucks. It applies to salespeople visiting clients, technicians making service calls, or an employee running a simple errand. Relying on “common sense” is not a strategy. A single fatal crash can cost a business over $1 million, while an injury that keeps an employee from working averages nearly $80,000.
To protect your people and your bottom line, you must address the four key sources of driver-related risk.
1. The Myth of “Safe” Distractions
Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road. This includes texting, checking email, making calls (even with a hands-free device), or programming a GPS.
Many people believe using a hands-free device is safe. The data proves otherwise. Over 30 studies confirm that the brain remains distracted by the conversation, making a hands-free call just as dangerous as a handheld one. The only safe approach is a zero-tolerance policy for mobile device use while driving.
Your policy must be clear: The car is for driving. Phones and other devices are to be put away until the vehicle is safely parked.
2. The Hidden Danger of Driver Fatigue
A tired driver can be as impaired as a drunk driver. Drowsy driving contributes to thousands of fatal crashes every year. Modern work demands—from longer commutes to extended shifts—put many employees at risk.
You have a responsibility to manage this risk. Here are practical steps you can take:
* Educate your team on the dangers of driving while tired.
* Schedule realistically. Avoid planning routes or deadlines that encourage employees to push through fatigue.
* Empower your employees. Create a clear policy that allows drivers to pull over and rest or get a hotel if they are too tired to drive safely, without penalty.
* Provide safe transport from remote job sites when possible.
3. The Risk Isn’t Just Behind the Wheel
A driver’s work involves more than just driving. Employees are constantly getting in and out of vehicles, often in unfamiliar parking lots or worksites. This transition from sitting to physical activity creates a high risk for slips, trips, and falls.
These injuries are common and costly. Train your employees to:
* Always be aware of their surroundings when exiting a vehicle.
* Look for hazards like ice, uneven pavement, or debris.
* Report unsafe conditions at customer locations.
Promoting general wellness and fitness can also help by improving an employee’s strength and balance, making them less susceptible to these types of injuries.
4. The Simple Habit That Signals a Deeper Problem
Failing to wear a seat belt is a major red flag. Studies show a direct link between drivers who don’t use seat belts and other unsafe behaviors like speeding.
More importantly, it often points to a much deeper issue: the absence of a formal company safety program.
If you don’t have a written policy that explicitly requires drivers and passengers to wear seat belts, you are sending the message that safety is optional. This requirement must be the foundation of your driver safety plan. Involving your employees in the development of this plan can dramatically increase its effectiveness.
A Formal Plan is Your Best Defense
Whether you manage a large fleet or have a single employee driving a personal car for business, you need a formal driver safety plan. It is not an administrative burden; it is an essential tool for managing risk, controlling your insurance costs, and—most importantly—keeping your employees safe.