December 16, 2009

Motor vehicle accidents are consistently ranked one of the top causes of work-related deaths and injuries in the United States. An easy, relatively inexpensive way to keep your employees out of the hospital—and your company vehicles out of the body shop—is to make sure that all employees who drive in the course of their work take part in a defensive driving course.

Training is just one part of defensive driving. Learn what it takes to put together a comprehensive defensive driving program by getting a copy of our Special Report, Save Lives: 5 Vital Elements of a Defensive Driving Program.

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Besides being a potential boon to your company (insurance companies will often reduce your vehicle insurance costs if employees participate in defensive driving courses), a defensive driving course teaches your employees valuable road skills to help keep them safe. Here are some important elements that should be covered in a defensive driving course:

• Proactive mindset: Defensive driving teaches drivers how to pick up on the signs and cues provided by other drivers that signal what their actions will be—for example, not just watching for turn signals, but watching to see whether the tires are actually turning in the direction of the signal. Learning to anticipate what other drivers are doing will help your drivers better predict the actions of others and allow them to react in a proactive way that will help them avoid collisions.
• Driving limitations: Because most drivers greatly overestimate both their abilities and the abilities of their vehicles, a defensive driving class should cover the limitations of both vehicles and drivers, including reaction times and stopping distances—and the different circumstances (such as weather conditions) that can affect these factors.
• Behaviors to avoid: Besides the obvious behaviors to avoid (drinking, drug use, drowsiness, texting, talking on a cell phone), a defensive driving class should highlight other all-too-common behaviors that contribute to motor vehicle accidents—such as following too closely, changing lanes abruptly or excessively, speeding, rolling through stops at intersections, and racing to beat red lights, plus the effects of psychological factors such as stress, emotional distress, and road rage.
• Good driving behaviors: As with behaviors to avoid, the course should go beyond the very obvious good behaviors (following traffic rules and using a seat belt) and include behaviors that distinguish average drivers from good drivers, including the benefits of being patient and courteous, regular vehicle inspections, proper merging techniques, proper techniques for driving in inclement weather, etc.
• Defensive maneuvers: Common useful defensive maneuvers should be covered—for example, how to safely bring a vehicle back onto the road that has "fallen" off the pavement, getting a vehicle in a spin under control, avoiding a head-on collision, avoiding road debris, and controlling a vehicle after a tire blowout.

A Defensive Driving Course Is an Important First Step

But it takes more than a single course to keep your drivers safe on the road. Our Special Report, Save Lives: 5 Vital Elements of a Defensive Driving Program, will show you how to establish a comprehensive safe driving program in your workplace. This report includes how to establish a defensive driving program, prioritizing vehicle safety, driver health and well-being, the importance of obeying motor vehicle laws, and teaching defensive driving skills, as well as two useful handouts on driving skills and vehicle inspection. Download your copy today!

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