The AAA is predicting this to be the highest single year increase in Thanksgiving travel since 2005, with nearly 2.2 million Ohioans traveling between Wednesday and Sunday. This will create congested roadways, even if severe weather conditions don't come into play. With even more people than ever taking to the roads instead of the air for holiday travel, we thought it might be a good time to remind employers and drivers of some practical driving tips, including ourselves.
The leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S. is vehicle crashes, costing employers around $60 billion each year in combined medical expenses, legal costs, property damage and lost productivity. This fact gave us pause, as we're sure it does you. With that in mind, employers can provide their employees with just a few tips that might help reduce accidents, and these same tips are good for the non-working driver as well.
- Buckle up and avoid impaired driving.
It's a known fact that seat belts save lives. Establish a policy that seat belts must always be used in business driving, and for your personal safety, always buckle up and encourage your riders to do the same. It goes without being said that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases accident probability. As an employer, consider a zero tolerance policy and as a driver just don't do it.
2. Avoid driving in inclement weather.
Let's face it, employers don't want to stop work travel, particularly when delivery times are of primary importance. But do the potential costs of accidents or lost employees outweigh the gains of making deliveries or doing other business travel when it isn't safe to drive on the roadways? When road or weather conditions are unsafe or worsening it might be more cost efficient to cancel, reschedule, or reroute trips to avoid hazards. Listen to your drivers if they tell you the road conditions are unsafe and consider giving workers extra time to get to a location when it's necessary to travel. Check with state and local news and weather reports for road conditions and plan ahead when storms are forecasted. It's been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
For delivery companies, where stopping business isn't possible, then driver education should be considered. Even a few reminders to drivers to maintain safe distances, slow down, and a reminder to managers that drivers need to be slower and deliveries may be later should be considered.
3. Limit or restrict business travel.
Is it truly necessary for your business to travel during the holidays? Especially with recent advances in electronic communication, most business can be conducted by zoom or other video conferences, phone or email. Whenever possible, avoid physical travel during the holidays or when there are known conferences or other events in the area that increase road traffic.
4. Ensure vehicles are road-worthy.
Make sure that vehicles are maintained for optimal performance in winter weather conditions, including an adequate heating system, a cold-weather tune-up, and winter or all weather tires. Make sure both the front and the rear windshield wipers are in good working condition, as a tear in a wiper blade will decrease its effectiveness. Also make sure that the windshield wiper fluid is full and the lines aren't pinched or damaged. Vehicles should include such things as a windshield scraper, flares, tire chains, shovel, and sand or cat litter for tire traction, as well as gloves, blanket, and a first aid kit.
5. Share safety tips about road conditions with employees.
Road conditions can vary across different regions and change very quickly. Before employees get behind the wheel, have them review winter driving rules like braking safely in snow or ice and how to get out of a skid. Stress the importance of slowing down in bad weather, staying alert, and maintaining a safe driving distance (you should be able to see the back tires of the vehicle in front of you at all times). Also, make sure that employees know of alternate routes to a destination, as long as those routes are in drivable condition for the type of vehicle. For example, some roadways do not permit trucks, and often bridges have size and weight restrictions.
6. Recognize holiday stress and fatigue.
Stress and fatigue impair driving abilities. Watch for symptoms like: an inability to concentrate, headaches, short tempers, upset stomach, aching muscles, loss of appetite, and changes in behaviors at work. Share resources on managing holiday stress and identifying signs of fatigue. Be prepared to act if you see someone who is not fit to drive.
7. Establish and implement an inclement weather plan.
When weather advisories are issued in an area advising of weather or road hazards, make sure employees are aware of these and know what the company's position is on starting delays, closures, etc. Make sure employees are made aware of the plan and who to contact in case of an emergency before it becomes an issue. The pandemic put many office workers in the position of working remotely from home. If these employees are now returning to the office, their inclement weather skills may be a little rusty. Sending out a company bulletin with some reminders could be helpful.
For more information on holiday roadway safety, check the state's transportation or highway driving safety website, or contact the local state police department for current conditions and who to contact for more information.
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