Make sure your company car users drive safely!

I’m sure I’m not the only one who urges my other half to “drive safely” every morning on the way to work. As the mornings grow darker and the risk of ice, fog and other adverse weather conditions increases with the arrival of winter, it becomes increasingly important for all drivers to be careful. It’s no coincidence that National Road Safety Week falls in November, after the time change and so many daily commutes in the dark.

Safe driving should also be a consideration for employers, as for a large proportion of employees today, the most dangerous activity they will engage in all day is driving, either to and from the workplace in their own cars. or in company vehicles on the course. of their job duties. Employers can be held liable for traffic accidents in certain circumstances, so they should strive to limit risks as much as possible.

Phone calls

As we become more and more connected, our vehicles are no longer the places of refuge from the outside world that they once were. And yet, it is a well-established fact that distractions caused by attempts to multitask behind the wheel are a major contributor to traffic accidents. Although much of the time we seem to be “on autopilot” while driving, and although we believe we are perfectly capable of carrying on a conversation, listening to a radio, or planning our next meeting while on the road, any activity that occupies our minds more than superficially , can slow our response to hazards and be detrimental to our safety. No matter how experienced, having a deep work-related phone conversation, even hands-free, while driving is a risky distraction, as recent research from Newcastle University shows. As for reading and responding to text messages while driving, that’s clearly asking for trouble.

Therefore, if an employer has any expectation that its employees will be available to take phone calls while driving, it could be held liable not only morally but also legally if an accident occurs. Policies on the use of mobile phones while driving, whether or not the car or the phone are company-provided, should make it very clear that they should be on voicemail while driving, with the driver picking up messages the next time they stop for a pause.

Careful!

We rely on all of our senses while driving, but probably the most important is our vision. If we can’t see properly to read traffic signs or spot hazards ahead of us, we are at much greater risk. Everyone knows that employers are required to provide regular computer users with free vision tests, but what about company car drivers? It makes sense, to protect the company’s human and mechanical assets, to offer eye exams every two years to employees whose duties include driving.

the pressure of time

When visibility is affected by weather-related reasons, such as fog, heavy rain, frosted or misted windshield, or twilight, drivers should exercise extreme caution. Braking distances between vehicles must be increased and speeds reduced. The use of dipped or fog lights should be encouraged. And longer travel times must be accepted. The same applies to the conditions here. Undue pressure on company car drivers to meet unrealistic delivery times, or penalizing them for lack of punctuality, when adverse weather conditions occur, could again result in legal liability for companies in the event of an accident.

Security Council

Driving awareness is part of the repertoire of a responsible employer, not just in relation to drivers of company vehicles. However, for anyone who drives as part of their job, the obvious place to place such guidance is on the Company Auto Policy. Typically, such policies will cover not only vehicle choice, replacement frequency, and service and maintenance provisions, but will also explain what to do in the event of an accident. Therefore, it makes sense to include a section on accident prevention!

Much common sense may be, but the statistics speak for themselves. More than half a million UK drivers have points on their licenses for distracted driving (including mobile phone use), showing that this is not always common practice. Reminders backed by the threat of disciplinary action for breaking the rules regarding the use of mobile phones while driving, for example, can carry more weight than exhortations alone. And guidance on safe driving in inclement weather conditions such as fog, snow and ice can prove invaluable, particularly for inexperienced drivers encountering such conditions for the first time.

Protecting your employees makes business sense, so include a “driver safety” section in your company auto policy now and help ensure everyone gets through the coming winter unscathed.