When employees drive company cars, businesses are open to an area of risk. But that risk can be diminished with established policies and training.

  Establishing policies and procedures insulates a firm by creating safer drivers, as well as protecting the firm’s image if an employee is involved in an accident due to improper driving procedures.

  The benefits are also, obviously, financial. When a company automobile is involved in an accident, the consequences could include:

1.      the automobile removed from your fleet for repair,

2.      the cost of the deductible, and

3.      the risk of increased insurance premiums.

  All of those consequences affect the bottom line of the firm’s financials, and the costs involved could mean reducing budgets in other areas. Additionally, the facts of an accident could call for necessary termination of an employee.

  But establishing a firm policy for driving company cars and providing training to help enforce the policy may prevent an accident from ever happening.

  The firm, other employees and other drivers are at risk when employees are not focused on operating the automobile. Drivers must pay attention to both their own driving and the other drivers on the roads.

  Today’s biggest driving risk is the cell phone. Most employees have them, maybe even both a business and personal cell phone. And while many states now prohibit the use of a cell phone while driving unless a hands-free device is used, the laws are not always effective.

  Even if it’s not against the law in a particular state, firms should establish a strict policy that cell phones may not be used while operating an automobile during company time. It should be clear in the policy that this includes phone calls, texting, emailing and any other applications.

  A less obvious risk is a satellite radio, which distracts the driver’s attention from the road just like a cell phone. If an employee prefers to listen to the radio while driving, common sense dictates selecting the channel and volume before starting to drive. However, most people control the radio after they begin their drive.

  And everyone has seen someone grooming themselves while driving. Whether checking a tie, combing hair, or applying makeup, that person is no longer focused on the road. Maybe he or she even goes so far as to lose sight of the cars behind by readjusting the rearview mirror.

  In many communities, local funeral home automobiles are very recognizable with company names on them or personalized plates. These automobiles are also serving the purpose of passive advertising while operated. But when the person is driving faster than they should, eating and drinking, or applying makeup, the image presented is not positive. It does not lend itself to the firm’s mission to protect and respect families and their deceased loved ones.

  Firms that do not already have policies and procedures regarding these issues must give serious consideration to implementing them, and those that have an existing policy should revisit it to ensure it fully covers these behaviors. Additionally, the policy should include measures when it is violated.

  Driving a company automobile is a requirement of many jobs, but it is also a privilege that cannot be abused with unsafe driving habits. In many firms, driving privileges may be removed due to accidents, poor driving or excessive points on a driver’s record. When this occurs and driving is a requirement of the job, termination may be necessary.

  Training helps implement these procedures and safeguards the firm. Training can be a review of company policies and procedures, or viewing a DVD on proper driving procedures. Most insurance companies have driver’s training DVDs, specifically for this purpose, available to borrow free of charge. To find out what type of training DVDs are available, contact your insurance agent to see if your carrier has a loaning library.  

  With so many distractions available to drivers today, firms must establish safeguards to promote safer drivers and reduce the risk of automobile accidents during company time. Not only can they reduce the firm’s liability should an accident occur, but company driving policies help ensure employees are presenting the firm’s desired image and, if enforced, reduce the risk of an accident ever occurring.