General Driving Safety

Millions of workers drive or ride in a vehicle to or as part of their jobs, and crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the United States. Motor vehicle crashes impact workers, their families, businesses, and communities, and employers often bear the costs for crash-related injuries that occur both on and off the job. To minimize the risk of injuries, employers can promote safe driving practices and encourage employees to follow these practices.

How Can Employers Promote Safe Driving Practices?

Employers can promote safe driving practices by:

Ensuring work materials are secured for transport. Tools or equipment should be secured while being transported to prevent unsafe movement of materials. During a crash or when making sudden maneuvers, loose objects can slide around or become airborne, injuring the employee driver and any passengers. Objects that could become a hazard should be secured or stored by employees outside the passenger compartment.

Encouraging employee seat belt use. According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), seat belts are the single most effective means of reducing deaths and serious injuries in traffic crashes. During a crash, anyone not wearing a seat belt will slam into the steering wheel, windshield, or other parts of the interior, or be ejected from the vehicle. Employers may make wearing a seat belt while performing work-related tasks mandatory, and may set forth such a mandatory rule in general employee handbooks and employee safety handbooks.

Encouraging employees to avoid distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity by a driver that diverts attention from driving. These activities include talking or texting on a phone, eating, drinking, talking to people in the vehicle, and adjusting stereo or navigation system controls.