Preparing Your Drivers for the Road: A Guide to Driver Safety

An essential aspect of many businesses, driving comes with inherent risk. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, there are over 5 million crashes and 35,000 deaths on U.S. roadways each year.*  Any time employees drive for work, they are at risk of a vehicle accident. What have you done to address this? Implementing a comprehensive driver and vehicle safety program that ensures drivers are well-trained to handle various situations on the road is crucial. Here are several topics and training resources to assist with driver training.
 

Driver training should include coaching on distracted driving, lane changes, avoiding rear-end collisions, speeding, and other driving behaviors and maneuvers. To demonstrate the dangers and consequences of distracted driving, engage drivers in hands-on exercises that simulate using mobile devices, adjusting in-car systems, or other distractions. For lane changes, offer guidance on proper signaling, checking blind spots, and maintaining appropriate spacing between vehicles. Training can help drivers develop safer habits and reduce the likelihood of accidents.
 

If employees tow trailers, they must understand proper trailer safety procedures, including trailer hitching, towing techniques, weight distribution, and trailer loading. Emphasize regular maintenance checks on trailer brakes, tires, lights, and coupling mechanisms to help prevent mechanical failures while towing. Drivers should receive guidance on navigating safely with a trailer, ensuring they understand increased braking distances, making wider turns, and managing trailer sway. 
 

Cargo securement is another critical aspect of safe driving, especially when transporting materials. Unsecured cargo can become dangerous projectiles in the event of a crash. Acuity provides an informative blog article to help drivers understand how to secure cargo.
 

Backing is a common cause of work-related driving accidents. Comprehensive driver training programs should include safe backing procedures such as scanning surroundings, using mirrors and backup cameras, and communicating with spotters or other personnel. Check out these 10 Tips for Avoiding Backing Fender Benders for more insight. 
 

If an employee is involved in a crash or needs to pull to the side of the road, they can refer to Emergency Warning Device Placement for guidance. Before pulling over to the side of the road, make sure it is safe, move over as far as possible, and use hazard lights.

Pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections are essential for preventing mechanical failures that could lead to accidents. Use Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) to document inspections, helping ensure that vehicles are safe to operate by identifying defects or issues that require attention and facilitating timely maintenance and repairs.
 

By utilizing these resources and investing in comprehensive driver training, you can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Take the time to train your drivers and empower them to make safer choices behind the wheel.

*https://cdan.dot.gov/tsftables/National%20Statistics.pdf