Page 14 - May-Jun 19

FEATURE

How often do you consider wheel conduct that puts them and others accidents involved your employee?
that there are far more in danger. Before each trip, promise to: You’d take action to try to prevent such
a tragedy from ever happening again.
serious consequences to • Allow ample time to get where you’re
going without having to hurry. Not
unsafe driving than just only does it feel good to not have to Risky driving habits typically develop
getting ticketed? rush, the chances of being involved in over time and can be hard to break.
An employee driving policy, including
a crash can be reduced significantly. company drivers’ motor vehicle
In most states, if you kill or • Commit to just driving. Pay attention records checks, can help you make
injure someone because mentally and physically. Stay focused a point with your employees that
of distracted driving or on the job of driving to help be aware of these behaviors will not be tolerated.
inattentive drivers and drive defensively.
But a policy is worthwhile only if it
being involved in a road Put down the mobile device to help is understood by those it affects.
rage incident, you could keep your focus on the road.
be criminally charged. If • Get enough rest to help ensure mental Clear communication on driving
expectations and regular employee
that’s not bad enough, risky sharpness, which can improve reaction training and reminders serve only to
times and help avoid hazards that may
driving behaviors also put require split-second maneuvers. benefit all involved. It’s never too late
to address these issues and send the
your loved ones in harm’s • Keep emotions in control and act message that your company believes in
way, whether or not they are responsibly. Put space between personal well-being and works hard to
even in the vehicle with you. yourself and motorists whose help make the roads safer for everyone.
actions aren’t sensible.
To that end, Federated is going to
The people affected by distracted So, what might happen if you don’t maintain its continued focus on driving –
driving reach far beyond the driver in an Drive S.A.F.E.? The following are some and take it one step further. Drive S.A.F.E.R
accident. Articles from newspapers and actual Federated Insurance claims: will help reinforce the importance of this
online sources report stories of family challenge on our highways. The main
members who rally for legislation against • A service manager entered an goal is to help keep you, your employees,
distracted driving, especially in regard to uncontrolled intersection too fast for and your company out of harm’s way.
mobile device use. The family members the posted speed limit and collided with Please make it home safe today!
are spouses, children, and parents using another vehicle. The employee broke his
their stories of loss to raise awareness. leg and was ticketed for speeding. He Federated is a proud supporter and
Sometimes, it is even a driver telling their was out of work six weeks. Bronze Partner of IEC National. For
own story of being distracted to help • An employee fell asleep behind the more information about Federated’s
warn others. Everyone has, at some point, wheel of a company vehicle. His truck Drive S.A.F.E.R initiative or other risk
done something reckless while driving, drove off the road and rolled. The management programs, contact your local
such as speeding to make up for lost time foreman, who was the owner’s close Federated marketing representative.
or reading an incoming text message. friend, was killed.

The majority of all auto crashes can • A service technician received a phone Nathan Oland is the Senior National
be traced back to four factors: speed, call dispatching him to a new job while Account Executive at Federated Insurance.
attention, fatigue, and emotion. Branded on the way back to the office. Because
Drive S.A.F.E., the Federated Insurance® of the distraction, the employee rear- This article is for general information and
driver awareness program helps ended a minivan that was directly in risk prevention only and should not be
business owners and risk managers front of him, severely injuring the other considered legal or other expert advice. The
recommendations may help reduce the risk of
call attention to these behaviors to motorist and her infant daughter. loss, but are not guaranteed to do so. Coverage
help their employee drivers understand These are just a few driving incidents for all claims will be governed by the facts of
the risks each can present. the claim and the terms of your policy. This
that resulted in deaths, injuries, large information may be subject to and is not a
insurance claims and other expenses.
As an electrical contractor, your substitute for regulations and restrictions
employees are constantly on the road. Unfortunately, there are more. Too in your state. Seek qualified counsel with
Keeping the S.A.F.E. factors in mind many more. As an employer and friend, questions specific to your circumstances.
will help your drivers overcome the what would you do if one of these © 2019 Federated Mutual Insurance Company.
temptation to engage in behind-the-

12 Insights Magazine | May/June 2019 | www.ieci.org