New driver safety guidelines

Every 12 minutes someone dies in a motor vehicle crash in the U.S., every 10 seconds an injury occurs and every five seconds a crash occurs.

Since employers frequently bear the cost of these accidents, OSHA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety have released Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes, a 32-page booklet that offers advice on creating driver safety programs.

The 10-step program helps companies hire and train capable drivers, supervise them and maintain company vehicles:

* Senior management commitment, employee involvement – top level managers encourage employee participation
* Written policies and procedures – seat belt use and alcohol prohibition are examples of the policies that should be communicated to all employees
* Driver agreements – drivers acknowledge understanding the company’s vehicle policy
* Motor vehicle record checks – check employee driving records
* Crash reporting and investigation – report all crashes promptly
* Vehicle selection, maintenance and inspection –purchase the safest vehicles and maintain and inspect them regularly
* Disciplinary action system – discipline for drivers who have moving violations and accidents
* Reward/incentive program – makes safe driving an integral part of business culture
* Driver training – continuous training, even for experienced drivers
* Regulatory compliance – ensures adherence to highway safety regulations