Regardless of how many vehicles a business operates, they represent an investment that needs protection. At the same time, the employees driving those vehicles also need safeguarding, as they’re generally the heart and soul of a company. If you’re exploring strategies to protect your business vehicles, here are a few ways to do so.
Make Safety a Priority
Develop safety protocols based on the company’s vehicles and where they’re driven. Require drivers to review and follow those protocols. Of course, all drivers should be screened carefully before hiring them to eliminate high-risk candidates. At the same time, remember every company will need a commercial auto insurance policy to protect the vehicles and drivers.
Inspect and Maintain Company Vehicles on a Regular Schedule
All vehicles require routine maintenance and proper repairs to ensure they’re safe to operate. Scheduling routine maintenance allows the mechanics to go over every vehicle while it’s in the shop to spot and deal with developing problems. Every vehicle manufacturer provides maintenance schedules with their vehicles, and those schedules provide a basic outline for drivers and shop personnel to follow.
Install Tracking Equipment
Companies routinely install different tracking devices to monitor their vehicles’ locations. Those devices also allow companies to spot poor driving habits and counsel drivers on better ways to operate their vehicles. In the event of an accident or other mishap, the company will know where the vehicle is and be able to respond appropriately.
Use Dash Cams
Traffic accidents often end up creating numerous problems for drivers and companies. Arguments develop over who was at fault, and the outcome isn’t always what it should be. Dash cams remove much of the doubt associated with accidents, as the video generally establishes the conditions. Both front and rear cameras are recommended to get a better picture of events. Many companies are now installing a third camera in the vehicle to monitor the driver’s behavior. That may sound a little Orwellian, but it’s for everyone’s protection.
Provide Ongoing Safety Training
Drivers tend to become complacent after a while, which isn’t beneficial for anyone. Safety experts recommend ongoing safety training for all drivers to review what they’ve already learned and expose them to new ideas that promote safe driving. The idea is to ensure every driver knows the company is focused on safeguarding their vehicles and the well-being of drivers.
Recognize Safe Drivers
Safety is more than a buzzword, so make it a more significant part of the company’s culture. Reward safe drivers, and do so in meaningful ways. Providing a bonus at the end of a safe year is one way to acknowledge their performance, but there are countless other strategies a company could employ to recognize an employee’s safety record.
Establish Clear and Concise Use Rules
Make sure every employee knows where and how they can use company vehicles. For example, if a driver takes a vehicle home at night, ensure they know using that vehicle for personal use is not allowed. If drivers are instructed to use specific routes because those routes are safer, make sure they follow the rules. That’s another example of a time when tracking is useful.
Be Willing to Revise Your Plan
Conditions constantly evolve, which means the strategies designed to protect vehicles must also evolve. Review the company’s policies frequently to ensure they continue to reflect the organization’s needs.