According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, highway incidents are the most frequent type of fatal work-related event, accounting for nearly one out of four fatal work injuries. Although employers cannot control roadway conditions, they can promote safe driving behavior by providing safety information to workers and by establishing and enforcing driver safety policies.

Consider taking the following steps, recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), to protect your employees:

Policies

• Assign a key member of the management team responsibility and authority to set and enforce comprehensive driver safety policy.
• Enforce mandatory seat belt use.
• Do not require workers to drive irregular hours or far beyond their normal working hours.
• Do not require workers to conduct business on a cell phone while driving.
• Develop work schedules that allow employees to obey speed limits and to follow applicable hours-of-service regulations.

Fleet Management

• Adopt a structured vehicle maintenance program.
• Provide company vehicles that offer the highest possible levels of occupant protection.

Safety Programs

• Teach workers strategies for recognizing and managing driver fatigue and in-vehicle distractions.
• Provide training to workers operating specialized motor vehicles or equipment.
• Emphasize to workers the need to follow safe driving practices on and off the job.

Driver Performance

• Ensure that workers assigned to drive on the job have a valid driver’s license and one that is appropriate for the type of vehicle to be driven.
• Check driving records of prospective employees, and perform periodic rechecks after hiring.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of workers’ driving performance.

Source: Work-related Roadway Crashes: Prevention Strategies for Employers, NIOSH Publication No. 2004-136.