It is important for your company to implement safe driving measures during wet climate or other weather hazards. Companies with personnel whose job roles take them on the road frequently need to make safe driving a top operational priority. Heavy rains, tropical storms, and severe hurricanes make driving conditions hazardous.
Safe Driving for Your Business
Businesses should establish safe driving policies and implement training initiatives to ensure safety.
Maintain Vehicles in Safe and Operable Condition
Businesses that have company-owned vehicles need to have comprehensive preventive maintenance programs. Regular inspections that include brakes and windshield wipers can ensure that vehicles are ready to take on wet roadways.
Assign responsibility for vehicle maintenance to senior staff members. Likewise, report any mechanical issues.
Stay Vigilant About the Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distraction is an ever-present danger on the road, and it is a common element in commercial auto insurance claims. It can be especially hazardous in wet weather. When roads are slippery, drivers have less time to react to avoid collisions.
Create a policy about using cell phones and other sources of distraction while driving. Make it a part of your employee handbook, or distribute it as a standalone policy and review it as a team in a safety meeting. Encourage your personnel to take advantage of safe driving settings on their phones.
Train Employees on the Fundamentals
Instructional driving programs that cover safe driving in wet weather benefit drivers with any driving experience. Training topics should cover safe braking techniques, approaching turns with caution, and avoiding hazards on the road.
Safe driving course certifications may help businesses get affordable commercial auto insurance coverage. The skills employees gain from these programs equip them to drive safely in problematic conditions.
Monitor Safety
When considering how to promote safe driving in wet weather among your employees, you should evaluate the utility of a monitoring program. Equipment that plugs into a vehicle’s onboard diagnostic port uses GPS tracking to relay a vehicle’s location. This device can also relay information about whether employees are driving safely. You can receive alerts when drivers exceed the speed limit, stop short, or otherwise drive unsafely.
Stay on Top of Weather Hazards
Create a system to update your team about rain and flooding advisories in your area. You can enroll people in a state-run notification program. Also, you can send out mass communications via text and email.
Remind people to drive with care, emphasizing that they should not rush to reach their destination. Of course, always follow directives from state and county officials instructing people to stay off the road.
Proactive steps to reduce weather-related driving risks can prevent severe harm and liability. Furthermore, your employees will appreciate knowing that you value their safety when driving in foul weather.
About The Hilb Group
Deciding what coverage you need and what limits and deductibles make the most sense can be tricky. Founded in 2009, the Hilb Group has been helping clients to make sense of their options and make the smartest choices for their circumstances. Whether you need Warehouse Insurance or any other type of business or personal coverage, we encourage you to contact our friendly, experienced, and capable team today. Call us at (800) 776-3078 for a consultation.