Safe driving for salespeople

For most employees, safety training pertains to activities that take place on company premises. But salespeople spend 70 percent of their time in cars, so safe driving is a key, especially considering that 43 percent of workplace fatalities occur in cars and trucks.

Companies can embark on safe driving programs for salespeople that measure success in terms of reduced accidents and injuries per million miles. Monsanto cut its rate from 9 to less than 4 per million miles after launching a program that combined e-learning with behind-the-wheel training. The company set up safety teams to run the program, developed reporting standards and wrote safety into employee performance expectations.

The program taught salespeople to drive safely by avoiding the most common driving errors:

* failure to scan ahead for hazards, such as pedestrians or fast-building traffic
* not leaving enough following distance
* not paying attention at intersections
* improper braking techniques

By following these and other safety techniques, salespeople make it to their appointments safely and avoid accidents.