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Written by Liz McDermott |
Let’s be real: driving can be stressful. In today's hectic world, where time is of the essence and road rage is a common sight, it’s more important than ever for drivers to keep their cool. That’s why safety training programs are so helpful in modern businesses. These programs provide employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive safely to work, home, and everywhere in between. From instruction on the best practices for defensive driving to staying alert while driving, driver safety training goes a long way in ensuring the safety of your employees behind the wheel.
Traffic safety principles help prevent work-related roadway crashes. Employers can provide safety information to workers and enforce driver safety policies in order to promote safe driving behavior. Although employers cannot control roadway conditions, they can reduce work-related roadway crashes by providing driving safety training to employees and enforcing driver safety policies
Read on to learn more about why this sort of training is essential for any business.
What is Driver Safety Training for Employees?
The leading cause of lost-time accidents on the job is vehicle accidents, surpassing all other factors. Driving is the most dangerous activity your employees undertake, and they should receive every opportunity to learn defensive driving fundamentals and attitudes that keep them safe.
Driver safety training educates employees about the best practices for safe driving. This training topic is important for all employees who drive to and from work and for work using company vehicles, and it is intended to reduce the risks associated with driving:
The Importance of Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Employees need to make sure their vehicle is well maintained to prevent unnecessary stress on the car’s engine and other components. Driving in inclement weather, such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail, can all cause serious vehicle problems. Taking extra precautions, such as slowing down and keeping a full tank of gas in case you have to make an emergency stop, can help employees stay safe.
Practicing Defensive Driving
Being aware of your surroundings and taking caution when driving in dangerous conditions can significantly reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident. Understanding the principles of defensive driving can greatly reduce your risk of getting into a car accident. Defensive driving is a mindset rather than a set of rules. It’s about doing the things employees can control in a way that reduces their risk of having an accident.
Human Factors Contributing to Traffic Accidents
Some of the most common and significant human factors that contribute to traffic accidents include driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, inattentive driving (texting while driving), driving too fast for the conditions (black ice), driving erratically (swerving between lanes), and failing to yield the right of way (running a red light). Other common human factors include driving without adequate sleep, driving while drowsy, and driving while stressed. These are all things that employees can control.
Eliminating Distracted Driving Leading to Motor Vehicle Accidents
Distracted driving is the act of driving a car while doing something else. This something else could be anything, such as eating, texting, calling, reading, etc. If your employees are driving and not focused on the road, they are distracted. Distracted driving comes with many dangers. It poses a risk to yourself and other drivers on the road.
Employees should avoid activities that are not essential to driving, such as texting or talking on the phone. If they must make a call, they should use a hands-free device. If they must text, they should park their car first.
Defining Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These substances can make you less alert, reduce your reaction time, and make focusing difficult. Many drugs also make you drowsy, which can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Combining drugs and alcohol can be extremely dangerous.
Rules of Roadway Etiquette to Avoid Unsafe and Aggressive Driving
When driving, it is important to be mindful of others on the road and follow the rules of road etiquette. By being respectful and courteous, employees can increase the safety of their driving and avoid aggressive driving. There are a few easy rules of road etiquette that can go a long way toward increasing the safety of driving and improving the driving experience for everyone on the road.
Why is Driver Safety Training for Employees Important?
Not only do driver safety training programs help employees stay safe while on the road, but they also help businesses save money. In fact, an effective driver safety program can cut insurance costs by up to 50%. That’s because such programs extend the life of your vehicles and reduce the number of accidents your employees are involved in.
In fact, studies suggest that companies that employ driver safety training enjoy 1/3 fewer accidents and 1/2 lower insurance costs than those that don’t. And this is true for businesses of all sizes. Therefore, if you’re a business owner or manager, you should strongly consider implementing a driver safety program for your employees. That way, you can better protect your workers and your bottom line.
How to Implement a Driver Safety Program for Your Business
Every 12 minutes, someone dies in a motor vehicle crash. Every 10 seconds, an injury takes place, and every 5 seconds, a collision occurs. A driver safety program can significantly lower your employees' and their families' risks while safeguarding your company's financial health, whether you manage a fleet of vehicles, supervise a mobile sales force, or simply employ commuters.
There are many ways to implement a driver safety program for your business. The key is to put together a comprehensive package that engages employees and has been proven effective. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to partner with an organization that offers driver safety training courses. These organizations can help you create an engaging, informative, and interesting curriculum. Once you’ve chosen your curriculum, you can easily integrate your driver safety program into your company’s onboarding process. Another option is to develop your own curriculum. While this method may take a bit more time and effort, it can result in a highly customized driver safety program that engages employees and has a lasting effect.
Driver Safety Training Courses for Employees
Driver safety training courses are comprehensive packages that include all the materials needed to educate employees about the best driving practices. All the components of these courses are created by experts in the field and are designed to be both engaging and informative. As such, these courses are highly effective in teaching employees about things like effective braking, mindful steering, and safe driving behaviors in poor weather conditions.
Driver safety training courses are designed to help employees drive safely in any situation. And, because they are available online, these courses can be accessed from any device anytime. Moreover, these courses can be integrated into your business’s onboarding process, allowing you to easily and effectively train your employees in safe driving practices.
Are you ready to implement a driver safety program for your business? If so, be sure to choose a driver safety training course that is right for you and your employees. With the right course, you can help keep your employees safe while on the road now and in the future.
Consider Vubiz’s Safe Driving online course. This course is customizable to meet your business needs, from branding to company policies.
For more information, please contact us to inquire about our Health & Safety training programs.