Safe Driving Tips for Small Businesses

Being involved in a car accident is an uncomfortable place to be. There are many different scenarios including being at fault, not at fault, accidents involving pedestrians, and so on. When a small business is involved, things begging to get even more complicated for all parties involved.

As an owner, you’ll need to protect your employees, your business, and yourself from liability involving property damage and potential medical and legal expenses that may come afterward. The entire process can make anyone feel hopeless and when the jobs and revenue of others are on the line, you must be prepared.

Even though commercial auto insurance can help you restore losses after an accident, it is important to work towards avoiding them altogether in the first place. The best way to prepare for an automobile accident is to practice safe driving. No, not all wrecks can be avoided, but by implementing practical safe driving fundamentals in your company, you’ll keep more motorists safe, minimize your risk of liability, and keep your business moving forward. As an owner, you have plenty of things to stay on top of. Mitigate your company’s driving risks with these safe driving tips practical for any small business operating in the state of Texas.

Develop Company Guidelines for All Drivers to Follow

Getting everyone on board is one of the first steps you can take to improve the safety of your company’s drivers. Everyone needs to know what the overall goal of your business is in regards to driving, as well as the procedures and guidelines. Drivers should also know what to do in the event of an accident, a hit and run, a collision not involving another party, etc. Here are a few places that can help you get started in establishing safety guidelines for your drivers:

• Create guidelines and qualifications for all drivers hired by your company.
• Implement a strict policy forbidding the use of devices or substances while driving.
• Avoid having managers and fellow employees texting drivers or employees known to be on the road during the time of a potential communication attempt.
• Develop ongoing educational standards for drivers to take.
• Decide on the appropriate forms of coverage for your commercial auto insurance policies.
• Have a plan for all types of accidents for employees to follow. Create a separate protocol for drivers who are involved in a non-accidental situation such as a breakdown, that can also keep everyone safe.
• Set a limit on the number of miles and/or hours a driver may travel before being forced to rest before resuming to avoid mishaps.

If your drivers are all on the same page, you’ll avoid miscommunications and help everyone work towards a common goal. Staying safe on the road should be the top priority for any business owner and setting the standards in front of everyone can help employees achieve the safest results.

Continued Education on Safe Driving for Employees

Great drivers are made over time and by continuing safety courses, you are empowering your employees with the tools they need to become better. Depending on your industry, you may also find the need to expand the type of licenses and certifications your drivers hold. This can be achieved through education and can help you expand your services all while maintaining safety standards.

Invest In Safer Vehicles and Safety Features

Having an employee base that is capable of driving safely is important, but so too is having them operate the safest vehicles possible. There are many benefits from taking the time to research the safest vehicles on the market and investing in them. Your company can save time, money, hassle, and keep everyone better protected as a result. Safety features continue to grow with technology including rear-view cameras, emergency braking, and more. Take a look at some of the benefits your small business will gain from using safer vehicles to get the job done:

• Safer employees and other drivers/bystanders.
• Save money on legal and medical expenses as well as restoring property damage.
• By using safer vehicles you can help mitigate accidents and avoid an interruption to your business.
• Improve employee morale by showing you care about the safety and well-being of your employees by providing safer vehicles to work with.

Maintain Your Vehicles and Supplies

A safe driver can do all that they may, but if you haven’t properly maintained your vehicles, it could be all for not. You’ll want to empower your employees by being sure to maintain your company’s vehicles through routine maintenance such as keeping the tires filled according to the manufacturer and oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles. Employees should also be adequately equipped with safety gear such as road flares, reflective markers and vests, jumper cables, phone chargers, and more. The goal for every business owner should be to get everyone on and off the road as safely as possible. Keeping up your vehicle’s maintenance is a major contributor to this goal.

Use GPS Devices to Monitor Driving Activity

Businesses have more options than ever to maintain employee safety and this includes tracking their vehicles. GPS devices can be used in your company’s fleet and offer more than just the ability to follow your vehicles’ movement. You can monitor the driving patterns of your drivers to ensure safety guidelines are maintained, but you can also receive diagnostic information to help prevent small problems from becoming larger ones. Some software may even notify you when parts have been recalled so that the appropriate steps can be made.

Purchase Commercial Auto Insurance for Your Drivers

Commercial auto insurance helps you do several things including staying legal in the state of Texas, avoiding having to restore property damage out of pocket, and covering legal and medical expenses stemming from an accident. You can even protect your company vehicles from collisions not involving another vehicle, theft, provide roadside assistance for drivers, and more.

In the end, you shouldn’t have to choose between doing the right thing and hurting your bottom line. That’s why we here at Freedom Insurance Group help small businesses across the state find policies that meet their needs all while saving money. As a fellow small business in Texas, we understand the needs and challenges companies here face. It doesn’t matter if you have a fleet of trucks, a few sprinter vans, or require covering a single vehicle used for business purposes, we have the right policy for you.

By partnering with more than 25 top-rated insurance providers, we can pinpoint the cheapest price for your insurance policies on the market. No two businesses are the same and the needs of your company will vary. Likewise, no two insurance brands assess businesses the same which can result in various insurance quotes depending on the provider. Our agents can compare the specific needs of your business through these top-rated providers to ensure you get more for less.

You may have to carry commercial auto insurance, but that doesn’t mean you have to overpay. Contact one of our agents to discover how much your small business can save today.