Slow Down! Aggressive Driving Costs Companies Millions
How can your company prevent employees from driving aggressively or becoming the victim of an aggressive driver? Education is the first step.
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PrintLast week while I was driving on Interstate 10 near Phoenix, a bobtail truck came up on my rear bumper and rode it for about a mile. There was nowhere for me to go. The truck continued to tailgate me then veered into the right lane, passed me and cut in front of me sharply before speeding off. Irritated, I followed him to get his tractor number. I followed the truck for several miles until he pulled off the freeway and headed south. I finally caught up to him at a red light and wrote down the trucking company’s name and description of the truck, although no tractor number was visible.
When I arrived home, I visited the company’s website. This was not a small trucking company; it is one of the five largest in the nation. I reported the driver’s location, a description of the truck and the incident. Within a few hours, I received an email response from the company stating they would investigate the incident. With GPS tracking, they probably knew exactly who this driver was within minutes of my report. As a major operator, they know the problems a bad driver can cause them.
Across the nation, aggressive driving continues to injure thousands and cause millions in property damage. AAA’s 2009 study on aggressive driving yielded few surprising facts. Young males are more likely to drive aggressively. Stress increases aggressive driving and traffic congestion can increase aggressiveness in drivers. According to one study cited by AAA, driving is aggressive if “…it is deliberate, likely to increase the risk of collision and is motivated by impatience, annoyance, hostility, and/or an attempt to save time.” By that definition, if I cut through a convenience store rather than wait for a light, I’m driving aggressively.
Perhaps we can’t precisely define aggressive driving, but we all know what it feels like. It includes tailgating, failure to yield the right of way, blocking others who are attempting to pass, running stop signs and speeding, to name a few aggressive driving techniques. And while many surveys report that drivers are concerned about aggressive driving, respondents also admit to practicing these same behaviors. Studies show that more than half of fatal accidents result from some form of aggressive driving. Clearly any company with an auto fleet should be concerned about this risk.
How can companies help prevent their employees from driving aggressively or becoming the victim of an aggressive driver? Education is the first step. Train your employees how to respond when they are targeted by an aggressive driver. It is much better for your workers to pull off the road or exit a freeway rather than risk a collision.
Define aggressive driving for your employees. Remind driversthat they are held to a high standard for driving safety; driving is a privilege, not a right, and they represent the company on the road. Warn employees that if they drive aggressively, which can include speeding, they will face consequences, including the possibility of termination.
Consider placing a call-in number on your company’s vehicles so that others can call if your employees drive badly. Also consider implementing a driver-tracking system that monitors speed, location (to prevent side trips) and other important driver data. Then take complaints seriously. Don’t assume the caller is telling the whole story, however. Interview your employee to obtain his or her side of the story, as well.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed a campaign to help reduce aggressive driving. Use its campaign elements to educate your employees about the importance of aggressive driving. Frequently reminding employees of their role in reducing losses by driving more safely will help you reduce workers’ compensation claims, auto damage losses, and third-party liability claims.
When I arrived home, I visited the company’s website. This was not a small trucking company; it is one of the five largest in the nation. I reported the driver’s location, a description of the truck and the incident. Within a few hours, I received an email response from the company stating they would investigate the incident. With GPS tracking, they probably knew exactly who this driver was within minutes of my report. As a major operator, they know the problems a bad driver can cause them.
Across the nation, aggressive driving continues to injure thousands and cause millions in property damage. AAA’s 2009 study on aggressive driving yielded few surprising facts. Young males are more likely to drive aggressively. Stress increases aggressive driving and traffic congestion can increase aggressiveness in drivers. According to one study cited by AAA, driving is aggressive if “…it is deliberate, likely to increase the risk of collision and is motivated by impatience, annoyance, hostility, and/or an attempt to save time.” By that definition, if I cut through a convenience store rather than wait for a light, I’m driving aggressively.
Perhaps we can’t precisely define aggressive driving, but we all know what it feels like. It includes tailgating, failure to yield the right of way, blocking others who are attempting to pass, running stop signs and speeding, to name a few aggressive driving techniques. And while many surveys report that drivers are concerned about aggressive driving, respondents also admit to practicing these same behaviors. Studies show that more than half of fatal accidents result from some form of aggressive driving. Clearly any company with an auto fleet should be concerned about this risk.
How can companies help prevent their employees from driving aggressively or becoming the victim of an aggressive driver? Education is the first step. Train your employees how to respond when they are targeted by an aggressive driver. It is much better for your workers to pull off the road or exit a freeway rather than risk a collision.
Define aggressive driving for your employees. Remind driversthat they are held to a high standard for driving safety; driving is a privilege, not a right, and they represent the company on the road. Warn employees that if they drive aggressively, which can include speeding, they will face consequences, including the possibility of termination.
Consider placing a call-in number on your company’s vehicles so that others can call if your employees drive badly. Also consider implementing a driver-tracking system that monitors speed, location (to prevent side trips) and other important driver data. Then take complaints seriously. Don’t assume the caller is telling the whole story, however. Interview your employee to obtain his or her side of the story, as well.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed a campaign to help reduce aggressive driving. Use its campaign elements to educate your employees about the importance of aggressive driving. Frequently reminding employees of their role in reducing losses by driving more safely will help you reduce workers’ compensation claims, auto damage losses, and third-party liability claims.
