Safe Driving Programs: A Critical Management Tool

Presented by Tom McHenry January 22, 2015

Objectives • Review the scope of the problem: Accident causes and management “issues” • Review the research on distracted driving and debunk major distracted driver “myths” • Review a proactive risk management approach to a Safe Driving Program ˉ

Audit your current driving program

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Develop and enforce safe driving policies

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Implement “best practice” driver selection

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Educate management and drivers on expectations of behavior

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The Problem: NSC Accident Data About 6 million crashes are reported to police each year More than 32,000 people died in traffic accidents in 2013 About 3 million people are injured every year in traffic accidents Unsafe behaviors cause about 90% of all traffic accidents

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The Problem: Accident Data

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Over 25% of crashes result from distracted driving 4,000 to 8,000 crashes per day occur Fatigued driving is responsible for: • 100,000 auto crashes per year • 40,000 injuries • 1,550 fatalities

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The Problem: Accident Data Other significant causes: • • • • •

Alcohol and drugs (30% of fatal accidents) Speeding/Following too closely Failure to yield Driving too fast for conditions Unannounced lane changes

The Problem: Management Issues

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Millions of workers drive all types of vehicles every day as part of their work Our focus is primarily on the “secondary” driver They create a serious exposure for: ˉ

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Worker’s compensation, GL and Auto insurance costs Lawsuits: “Deep Pockets Syndrome” Bad publicity

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The Problem: Management Issues

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Vehicle safety is often not on management’s “radar” Driving seen as an ancillary duty: “Everyone can drive” Management attention often occurs as a result of a significant “event”

Be concerned if you hear (or believe):

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“We hire _____ not drivers.” “We’ve never had a problem with our drivers.” “Our managers don’t have the time to spend with driver selection paperwork.” “Paperwork is too expensive and too much of a hassle.”

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Distracted Driving •

The newest threat to your vehicle safety program

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The myths and the reality!

Common Driver Distractions Texting and cell phones GPS system use Passengers Eating or drinking Playing with the radio

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Mobile Phones and Texting in Vehicles Why focus on the dangers of mobile phones and texting in vehicles? •

Mobile phones/texting contributes to 1.6 million crashes per year • 21% of all accidents (NSC estimate) •

NHTSA: Estimated 3,360 deaths and 421,000 injuries in 2012 involving distracted drivers

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Mobile phones slow driver reaction time by 18% • Similar to .08 alcohol level

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Estimated 660,000 drivers are using technology at any time

Permission to reprint granted by the National Safety Council, a membership organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health

Distracting Driving “myths” Myth number one: “I can effectively multitask while driving” The truth: Humans cannot effectively multitask when two thinking tasks are involved. Drivers become oblivious to changing traffic conditions Distracted Driving.nsc.org- Permission to reprint granted by the National Safety Council, a membership organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health

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Multitasking: A Brain Drain Myth number two: “Hands free technology solves the driver technology problem” The truth: Research shows that the cognitive distraction due to hand-held or hands-free equipment is significant enough to degrade a driver’s performance

Multitasking: A Brain Drain •

Bottom line on hands-free usage research: • • • •

Response time, reaction time and braking time were slower Drivers took longer to reduce speeds in simulated work zones Drivers had longer reaction times when using collision avoidance systems Drivers had problems staying in one lane

Distracted Driving.nsc.org- Permission to reprint granted by the National Safety Council, a membership organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health

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Distracted Driving and Organizational Liability: Important Factors • •

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Did company management know of the problem? Have there been similar prior accidents or incidents in the company? Is there a company policy and associated training program in place? Is there documentation of discipline or other enforcement for poor driving?

Dec 2003 update Nat’l Conference of State Legislatures

Safe Driver Program: Audit your current safe driving issues •

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A vehicle use audit will help you evaluate the scope of your current driving exposures It will help you determine your problem issues and improvement needs

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Safe Driver Program: Audit your current safe driving issues Vehicle Usage: • • • • • • • •

Types of vehicles used (12-15 passenger vans, shuttle buses, SUV’s) Trip frequencies and distances Driving areas: City, rural, etc Backing, parallel parking, stops and starts Personal car and company vehicle use Passenger capabilities and challenges State and local laws Accident experience: Frequency and severity data

Safe Driver Program: Audit your current safe driving issues Driver information: •

Employee base: Age, education, driving experience, etc.

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Employee turnover

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Number of locations and managers who select drivers

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Current driver selection criteria

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Current driver safety training programs

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Safe Driver Program Develop Specific Safe Driving Policies •

Driver selection policies and procedures

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Expectations of behavior policies • • • • •

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Distracted driving policies (Cell phone, PDA use) Speed limits and following distance Seat belt use Alcohol and drug use Personal car use (Insurance requirements, vehicle inspections, etc.)

Accident/Incident investigations: Causes and corrective actions

Safe Driver Program: Develop specific safe driving policies When establishing a company policy: • Ensure compliance with state, local and federal codes

• Educate all associates and management: Include enforcement and discipline policies • Establish audit procedures: Trust but verify

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Safe Driver Program: Develop specific safe driving policies •

All managers and supervisors must actively support the program

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Educate managers and supervisors on the importance of the program

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Document specific responsibilities for management and include in performance appraisals

Safe Driving Program Develop specific safe driving policies Policy statements: •

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The policy should include a clear and concise policy statement It should be a “mission statement” regarding the expected behaviors Keep it simple and focus on what is expected of the employee

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Generic Policy Statement Distracted Driving: Cell Phone use •

Company employees are not permitted to use an electronic interactive communication device, either hand-held or hands-free, while operating a motor vehicle on company business, and/or on company time

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While driving, calls cannot be answered and must be directed to voicemail

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If an employee must make an emergency call (911), the vehicle should be parked in a safe location before making the call All employees will be made aware of the company policy and will be expected to comply with it

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Safe Driver Program: Develop specific safe driving policies Driver selection • • • • • • •

Job Applications/Job Descriptions Driver’s license checks Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks Background checks Interview Road test Drug test

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Safe Driver Program: Driver selection policies and procedures Driver’s license checks • • • • •

Visual inspection of current driver’s license Examine and document suspensions or limitations Written criteria in place for rejection Photocopy of driver’s license kept in driver file Employee driver’s license physically inspected and file updated every six months

Safe Driver Program: Driver selection policies and procedures Job Applications/Job Descriptions •

Both should outline driving duties and physical and cognitive requirements

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Both should include requirements for clean driving record and current driver’s license

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Both should outline background check requirements

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Job description should be specific as to types of vehicles that will be driven and driving skill need

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Safe Driver Program: Driver selection policies and procedures MVR checks • Applicant records should be checked prior to hire or probationary hire based on results of MVR check • Document decision based on comparison to written criteria • MVRs should be reviewed against criteria at least annually after hire • Websites of interest: • www.dmv.org/driving-records.php • www.corragroup.com/mvr-search.html

Safe Driver Program: Driver selection policies and procedures Background and reference checks • Conducted for all prospective drivers • Results should be documented • Focus issues should include: • Drug related crimes • Theft • Commission of a crime with a motor vehicle • Violent crimes

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Safe Driver Program: Driver selection policies and procedures The interview •

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Should outline driving duties and physical and behaviors Should include requirements for clean driving record and current driver’s license Should outline background check requirements Job description should be specific as to types of vehicles that will be driven and driving skill need

Safe Driver Program: Driver selection policies and procedures The road test • All prospective hires should undergo a thorough road test • Develop and use an approved road test form • Use the vehicle the applicant is most likely to use • The road test should include all maneuvers the applicant will be doing: Backing, parking, highway driving, city driving, lane changing • Observe critical behaviors such as speeds, following distances, use of mirrors, signaling intentions, getting “boxed in” in traffic, etc.

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Safe Driver Program: Driver selection policies and procedures Drug testing • Involve HR and other interested parties to ensure local and federal laws are followed • Drug tests should be administered upon hire and randomly thereafter • Drug tests should be administered after any incident or accident involving a motor vehicle • Documentation of drug test results should be retained

Safe Driving Program: Accident/Incident investigation •

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The focus should be on what the driver could have done to prevent the accident/incident Develop an action plan with the employee to prevent a future occurrence; This could include remedial driver training with a senior driver or supervisor and/or progressive discipline or the like Management should track accident data to determine trends or loss area issues (Backing, hit other in rear, sideswipe, etc.)

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Safe Driving Program: Accident/Incident investigation • Check cell phone records for drivers involved in an accident or incident • Include passengers in accident review procedures • Analyze accident data for accident types such as “hit other in rear”

Safe Driving Strategies: Plan ahead •

Be aware of conditions and PLAN AHEAD! –

Weather conditions (rain, ice, snow, sleet, wind)

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Sunrise or sunset

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Driving at night

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Conditions that may cause a change in the handling of a vehicle (weather, road grade, gravel)

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Environment, traffic mix, and time-of-day issues

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Do not be distracted

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Safe Driving Strategies: Stay alert and focused •

Driver reaction times vary based upon whether the driver is alert of the need to react. – Expected: reaction time is best (approaching red traffic light) – Unexpected: reaction time is slower (light turns yellow or cars braking ahead) – Surprised: reaction time is slowest (pedestrian walks out into traffic) Imagine how much slower a tired or non-alert driver would react to any of these situations on the road!

Safe Driving Strategies: Recognize Hazards Why is this important? •

The hazard can often be avoided.

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Advance recognition will allow more reaction time.

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More reaction time can prompt a safer response.

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Driver can more quickly determine a safe action.

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Safe Driving Strategies: Judgment

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Do not use alcohol and/or drugs (including over the counter drugs that may cause drowsiness)

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Allow enough time; do not be in a rush

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Stay relaxed

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Get proper rest and nutrition

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Take breaks

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Avoid heavy meals (tend to make you sleepy)

Safe Driving Resources •

AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety www.aafts.org

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Automobile Safety Foundation www.carsafe.org

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Advocates for Highway & Auto www.saferoads.org

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US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics www.bts.gov

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Insurance Institute for Highway Safety www.hwysafety.org

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National Highway Traffic Safety www.nhtsa.dot.gov

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National Safety Council www.nsc.org

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Network of Employees for Traffic Safety www.trafficsafety.org

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Summary

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Employees who drive as part of their jobs present a significant exposure to company assets

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A safe driving program can help prevent needless accidents

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Key elements of the program include:

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Auditing your current program

Developing and enforcing safe driving policies Implementing “best practice” driver selection procedures •

Defensive driving must be practiced and reviewed on a regular basis by all driving employees

www.newmexicomutual.com

Patrice Antonio Risk and Safety Management Assistant New Mexico Mutual Phone: 505-343-2860 [email protected]

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Thank You for Joining Us Have a Safe Day!

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