Don’t talk to me about work

This might be the new catch phrase for managers who have employees out on the road.   In our hyper wired society, the mobile office just became a little more complex.   Does your organization have a comprehensive driver safety policy in place?

Scenario number one, Joe is a driver for a company that delivers medical equipment to customers homes.   He is on his cell phone with the office as they are trying to arrange another stop for him, when he “accidentally” runs into the rear end of a vehicle at a stop sign.

Scenario number two, Jenna is on her way from the airport to the hotel in a rental car in Boston, on her first day of a week-long installation she is doing for a customer.   She is on her cell phone with her boss confirming the contacts and versions she is installing when she “accidentally”  hits a pedestrian.

Scenario number three, Howard is the office manager of a large law firm, from time to time he runs errands for the firm in the ordinary course of business, and he is running an errand for a partner when he is struck “accidentally” by a distracted driver and killed.

Each one of the scenarios pose risks and questions for companies and their risk managers, underwriters and Human Resource professionals.   These scenarios emphasize the need organizations have for a well thought out and comprehensive corporate driver safety training program.

These are the questions organizations have to be asking and answering appropriately if they have employees who regularly drive in their ordinary course of business.  Was the employee having a “work” related cell phone conversation?   Did the accident happen during work related hours or in course of the employees employment?   Is the employee allowed to spend company time running errands in a personal vehicle for company purposes?   Does the company have a cell phone and driving policy in place?   Is it in writing?   Is the employee in violation of this policy?  Have they been before and it was not addressed?

In all three scenarios, a company could be found negligent or liable for injuries, property damage or loss of life.   While DefensiveDriving.com’s corporate driver safety program and driver training does not guarantee you will not have accidents, having a corporate driver training program is an essential part of educating and keeping your employees who drive safe.   The establishment of a comprehensive driver safety policy, which includes the ban of cell phones (which must be consistently enforced) while driving, along with a company driver training program help company’s minimize risk and significant loss of life or capital.

Let DefensiveDriving.com help you today in establishing a driver safety training program as part of your overall comprehensive driver safety company policy.

Drive Friendly!

Pennywise, Pound foolish?

You are on your way to work or running an errand or maybe just returning from a night out with your spouse and …

An accident happens, you are rear ended by another driver.   That other driver proceeds to drive off, but thanks to the diligence of a witness who follows the other driver, the other driver returns to the scene of the accident.

Then it turns out the other driver is legally impaired and … it just gets better, the other driver does not have insurance.

Sound like a fantastic story – unbelievable, never happens?   Guess again, this actually happened.  The article with the full details here

This story really highlights a growing problem.   There are many drivers out there on the road, driving with you, who do not have auto insurance.   According to the Insurance Research Council, one in seven drivers out there do not have auto insurance.

With one exception, every state has some form of minimum insurance required by drivers, yet so many are driving illegally.   Even worse, if you are involved in an accident and you do not have under-insured/uninsured motorist coverage, you are most likely going to be a victim a second time, as you will have to come out-of-pocket for additional expenses.

Over the last four years, a lot of consumers have made choices based on their financial position and one of the items which gets cut is insurance.   There are also a lot of low-cost providers out there, spending millions in marketing to get you to change your auto insurance, sometimes, you get what you paid for.

Talk with your insurance agent, find out what type of coverage you have, what your deductibles are and what is covered in the event you are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance.   If you have to pay an additional premium to get under-insured/uninsured motorist coverage, check to see if taking a defensive driving course will allow you to receive discounts for your auto insurance.   The money you save in discounts for auto insurance by taking a defensive driving course might very well offset what you are a paying in additional premiums.

More importantly, it will give you piece of mind, knowing that in the event you are in an accident with one of these bad drivers, you know what to expect with respect to your claim.

Drive Safely and Friendly!

 

Don’t be afraid of driving on Halloween

There are plenty of spooky, scary things associated with Halloween, but driving shouldn’t be one of them. Whether you’re traveling by car or on foot on All Hallows’ Eve, the Defensive Driving team recommends familiarizing yourself with our list of safety tips and tricks (pun intended!).

If you’re driving:
• Drive slowly (especially in neighborhoods between 4 and 8 p.m., which typically is when most families are out trick-or-treating) and don’t pass stopped vehicles because they might be dropping off or picking up children.
• Be patient and take your time. Expect to stop frequently, especially in residential areas.
• If you’re familiar with an alternate route that will help you avoid busy neighborhoods, go around.
• Stay off your cellphone. Wait until you’ve parked the car to talk, text or surf the Web.
• Keep a close eye out for children. Always yield to them and watch out for young trick-or-treaters darting into the street.
• Always, always, always use your turn signals; and turn on your hazard lights when dropping off and picking up children.
• Don’t drink and drive. This is an especially important rule of thumb on Oct. 31 because so many pedestrians are out and about. If you do plan on drinking on Halloween, designate a sober driver or arrange for a cab.

If you’re walking:
• Teach your children how to cross the street appropriately: instruct them to look both ways before crossing the street and to cross only at corners/crosswalks/intersections.
• Consider trick-or-treating before nightfall. If you plan on being out after dark, give your kids flashlights or glow sticks to hold/wear and put reflective tape on their costumes so they are visible to drivers.
• Plan to trick-or-treat in a neighborhood you are familiar with; and always stay aware of your surroundings.

And, last but not least, Happy Halloween from everyone at Defensive Driving Online!

~B. Waldman

Teen Driving: Homecoming Safety Tips

As school gears back up, student activities are on the rise, and there are increased numbers of teen drivers behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Safety Administration , traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America, so both teens and other drivers need be especially cautious on the roadways. Homecoming is one of those special fall events that will have inexperienced teen drivers out on the roads en masse, so we have some tips that will help increase safety for your young drivers during this high risk driving times.

Ride in Style: Consider getting a limo or town car to transport your teen and his friends to the homecoming dance. This will take the pressure off the driver and allow everyone in the group (parents included) to have a worry free night. Because this can be expensive, ask other parents to split the cost and make it more reasonable.

Limit Passengers: If a teenage driver is behind the wheel, you should limit the other passengers to one. According to the Center for Disease Control , the presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers, and the risk goes up with more passengers in the vehicle.

Plan a Route: Ensure your teen is comfortable with the route to all homecoming events. You can practice driving a day or so ahead so they feel comfortable with the navigation, especially if it located somewhere they have never been before. Driving Skills for Life  recommends this high level of preparedness because passengers in the vehicle and excitement about the event can make it more difficult to focus on trying to follow a map or read road signs.

Slow Down: Encourage your teen driver to reduce their speeds while driving after dark as visibility can be greatly reduced during these times, and most events will be taking place in the evening and night hours.

Avoid Distractions: Setting a limit for passengers will help eliminate distractions during homecoming travel, but you need to set further guidelines for your teen driver to help create a safe driving environment. Encourage them to keep music at a reasonable volume, and pull over to the side of the road if they need to send a text message or take a call.

Have a Plan B: Always make sure your student leaves the house with a fully charged cell phone so they can call you in the event that they do not feel comfortable driving themselves home from an event. You should also program a couple of local cab company numbers into their cell phones in the event that you cannot be reached for a pick-up.

 

~R. Quick

Changing Leaves, Changing Driving Conditions

We have passed the hot days and crazy road trip traffic of summer and are not quite to the days of snow drift and icy roads in winter, but autumn is also a season that poses dangerous driving conditions that need to be observed with caution. Fall is a season of change, and this goes for the weather and road conditions. At Defensive Driving, we believe in being prepared and aware at all times out on the roads, so follow these tips to ensure your fall travel is safe and sound.

Check your Headlights and Taillights
Daylight savings is just around the corner, and with that comes shorter days and morning and evening commutes taking place in the dark. Ensure your headlights and taillights are in good working order and don’t hesitate to use them, even at the early parts of dusk. Keep a flashlight in your car in case you need to check on anything while driving in the dark hours.

Be Aware of Wet Leaves
Fall foliage is a beautiful aspect of the season, but leaves that fall to the roadways can pose a danger to drivers. These piles of leaves are especially dangerous when wet, so be sure to slow your speed if it begins to rain or you are driving in an area with recent rain or frost.

Check your Tire Pressure
Fluctuating temperatures are commonplace in the fall months, and these drastic changes can negatively affect your tire pressure. Check the pressure before heading out on a long trip and throughout the season to make sure the tires are maintaining a safe amount of air pressure.

Watch for Animals
Fall is prime time for animals such as deer and antelope to increase their activity and start moving to new locations for the winter months. Pay extra attention in wilderness areas where they can unexpectedly spring in front of your car. According to Drive Safe PA  the morning and evening hours are generally when the animals are the most active.

Prepare for Harsh Weather
The days of fall can still be warm and sunny, but the winter months are not far off, and oftentimes the weather can change quickly, so prepare yourself for unexpected winter weather. Ensure that your car has adequate tread on the tires and your heater is in working order. Create a winter safety kit including water, blankets, non-perishable food and a flashlight to prepare you for the possibility of being stranded.

~ R. Quick