The Risks of Employees Driving
Managing risk within your business can be difficult.
Teaming up with and working with a Risk Management organization can help discover your risks and help find solutions. A big risk to any business is something that we take for granted on a daily basis and that’s the risk of driving a company vehicle or driving a personal vehicle while conducting daily duties for a business. Understanding the exposures can be complex but very important.
What type of driver training does a business do for its employees? Most businesses do not do extensive or thorough driver training. Why? Mostly because it is something we take for granted because we drive so much.
Implementing a driver training program in a systematic way to manage the risk to the business can be simple. It doesn’t need to be an extensive system. Keeping safe driving in the forefront on a routine basis can help a business lower its exposures. It’s not that a safe driving program has to be something we never learned about. It’s more about routine reminders of the proper driving tips to keep everyone safe and lower the risk to the business.
Your safety must be a focus whether running a local errand or traveling a long distance. Consider road conditions and actions of other drivers. Employ these techniques, starting before you get into your vehicle, you’ll lower your risk on the road. While you can’t plan for every situation, the following tips will minimize your risks.
Physical and mental preparation
Journey management is one technique that helps mitigate risks:
Before entering your vehicle, you must consider whether you’re fit to drive.
Get enough rest and avoid consuming anything that can cloud your judgment.
Make sure you are in good physical shape before getting behind the wheel.
Eating habits
To avoid tiredness, eat balanced and nutritious food before your road trip. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Regular breaks
Taking regular breaks can save your life. Specific brain structures and chemicals in our bodies produce fatigue or alertness. Our body's peaks and valleys can be maintained by getting oxygen in our blood. Moving your body on regular breaks can help you avoid driving drowsy.
What's happening around you?
Pay attention to road conditions, weather, and the length of your journey. Ensure you have a clean windshield and working wipers. Keep a pair of sunglasses handy.
Vehicle maintenance
Items in your vehicle need to be secured in case you need to hit the brakes. Regular maintenance on your vehicle is critical, too.
Internal distractions
Turn off that mobile phone. We know you won't, so use hands-free options whenever possible. Let the person know that you are on the road and keep the conversation short. The human brain has a hard time listening to a conversation while driving! Be aware of other distractions such as radios and other passengers. For example, if you listen to music, play it at an acceptable volume. Also, no passenger should be in your vision or speaking too loudly.
Road Hazards
Be aware of your environment. Pay attention to everything...not just what’s in front of you. Be mindful of your driving behavior and that of others around you.
Safe distances
Maintain a safe space around your vehicle. Avoid driving parallel with another car or tailgating. Avoid other drivers' blind spots. Don’t be enticed to brake test a vehicle following too closely. Change lanes wherever possible. Continually check your mirrors and maintain a safe position. Ensure you leave two to three car lengths between you and the vehicle you are following, more if the roads are wet,
Stay alert
When driving on a regular route, your concentration drops significantly. We must be most careful on these familiar routes.
Conclusion
These straightforward defensive driving techniques will lessen your risks and help keep you safe on every journey. These might seem like a lot to remember, but with a bit of practice, they’ll soon become a habit.