Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Contractors have seen significant increases in commercial auto rates over the last few years. Because of this, it is imperative for companies to implement a written fleet safety program.

The fleet safety program must detail leadership’s expectation of what is required to be a driver for the company and the consequences if the policies are not followed.   

For both the fleet safety program and driver training to be effective and successful, companies should be constantly discussing the policies with all of their employees, not just the employees assigned to a company vehicle.

One topic that should be at the forefront of your driving training program is distracted driving. 

Distracted driving is the leading cause of most vehicle collisions and near collisions. According to the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 80% of collision and 65% of near collisions involve some form of distracted driving. 

There are 3 types of distracted driving:

1. Visual – An example would be taking your eyes off the road.

2. Manual – An example would be taking your hands off the wheel.

3. Cognitive – An example would be taking your mind off driving.

Many of these crashes occur in company vehicles during the working hours and can cause serious problems for both the driver and the company. If the employee is injured, he/she will likely be eligible for workers’ compensation. The company’s auto insurance would pay for damage to the vehicle and potential lawsuits brought on by the bodily suffered by a third party. The quick glance at a cell phone while driving could cost a company hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In order to protect your company from these types of losses, the company’s leadership must make a fleet safety program a priority. Have a written cell phone policy. Require employees to put their phone on do not disturb while they are driving, which blocks calls and text messages while their car is in motion. And, train drivers using the SafetyOne™ Distracted Driving online course. Not only can an effective fleet safety program minimize further insurance increases, but most importantly you could save a life.

To learn the essential points of a fleet safety program and defensive driving skills, register for our Fleet Safety Webinar.

For questions about how your fleet safety program affects your commercial auto premiums, contact me at sclayton@ranchomesa.com or (619) 937-0167.