At-fault vehicle crashes — including those caused by distracted driving or a failure to drive defensively — are an expensive issue for cities and towns, and an unfortunately common one as well.
In 2023, the SC Municipal Insurance Trust handled 1,142 total auto physical damage and auto liability claims. Of those cases, about 60% of the total incurred claims, amounting to $3.7 million, resulted from at-fault loss types.
There are many steps municipalities can take to improve the safety of their workers on the road, ranging from effective vehicle safety policies to training to holding employees and departments accountable for their driving records. A valuable starting point for this comes from the 10-Step Program to Minimize Crash Risk, established by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and available online.
While no effort can completely eliminate the potential for automobile losses, using these 10 steps as a risk management system can help.
- Senior Management and Elected Leadership Commitment and Employee Involvement
Establishing a safety culture for work-related driving cannot work without attention from management and elected leaders, who can set the necessary policies and direct the necessary resources, as well as staff having involvement in the planning and implementation phases. - Written Policies and Procedures
Cities need traffic safety policies for employees that are clear and enforceable, addressing everything from alcohol and drug use policies to seat belt usage policies. - Driver Agreements
One way that municipalities can promote safe driving habits among employees is to create a driver agreement form to encourage commitment to the policy. Employees signing the agreement acknowledge that they understand and will follow the city’s policies and expectations for safe driving. - Motor Vehicle Record Checks
Cities need to periodically check the driving records of all employees who need to drive for work. Cities’ policies should indicate the points when they will provide further training for employees, and the number of violations that would cause them to remove driving-for-work privileges. - Crash Reporting and Investigation
Policies should require employees to report all crashes that occur when working, no matter how serious. The city should then follow a defined investigation process, determining the cause of the crash and whether it was preventable. - Vehicle Selection, Maintenance and Inspection
Cities need to consider the ability of vehicles to handle crashes well when choosing them. They should adopt a schedule for preventive maintenance at given mileage levels, following the manufacturer’s guidelines. - Disciplinary Action System
For moving violations and collisions found to be preventable, cities should have a progressive discipline system for drivers with a given number of recorded problems in a set period. - Reward and Incentive Program
On the opposite side of the issue from discipline, cities should also review records of good driving, and consider incentives that can be anything from recognition to special privileges or monetary rewards. - Driver Training and Communication
Focusing on ongoing reminders of safe driving processes can help employees retain skills and keep from becoming complacent. - Regulatory Compliance
Be aware of regulations from entities that govern vehicle operation, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration and Employment Standards Administration.
Cities with SCMIT or SCMIRF membership are eligible for a free four-hour defensive driver training offered through the National Safety Council. For more information, contact Bethany Pendley, loss control manager, at 803.933.1210 or bpendley@masc.sc.