For employees in businesses like pest control and security, the company vehicle is an extension of the workplace, and if employees don’t feel safe while driving, they may seek opportunities elsewhere.

 A recent survey of more than 3,000 workers across the U.S. and U.K. shows why. Almost all (96%) of employees list physical safety as a top work priority, yet only 63% believe their employer considers their safety a top priority.

While business owners and operators cannot control every aspect of an employee’s safety behind the wheel, they can show that they put their workers first by investing in a culture of driver safety. Doing so will help improve employee retention amid a nationwide driver shortage and safeguard a company’s reputation.

Crashes Cost More Than Most Businesses Think

Few businesses with small to midsize fleets can absorb the escalating costs of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). The most recent analysis from the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, based on 2023 data, shows that MVAs cost employers nearly $62 billion annually in direct crash-related expenses, including medical care, liability, lost productivity and property damage. More than half (57%) of MVAs happen on the job, with a single crash costing roughly $180,199 per injury.

From a workers’ compensation perspective, MVAs are the most expensive type of claim, costing 70% more than the average lost-time claim, according to data from the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The share of MVA-related workers’ comp claims costing over $1 million has tripled over the past two decades. Auto crashes are more than twice as likely to cause workers multiple injuries and 10 times as likely to injure multiple co-workers compared to the average workplace claim.

A Single Crash Can Create Years of Hurt

It takes only one incident to cause severe consequences that can haunt businesses for years. Consider a pest control driver who is in a crash that results in a serious injury. The commercial auto policy pays $1 million to cover legal fees, bodily injury claims and repair costs, but the company is on the hook for the deductible and purchasing a replacement vehicle.

Productivity drops every hour the vehicle and its driver aren’t on the road. If the case goes to court, litigation could take years. After settlement, the company may not be able to secure standard commercial auto coverage again. If they do, they will pay higher premiums based on their negative loss experience. Additionally, if the vehicle involved in the crash carried the corporate logo and the crash was captured on the news, the footage could live online forever for people to find on AI or Google searches, creating long-term reputational damage.

Fleet Safety Is the Employers’ Responsibility

Worker safety extends beyond brick-and-mortar structures such as administrative offices, dispatch centers and warehouses. Employers can also be held liable for their employees’ actions on the road. If courts find that a manager hired employees with poor driving records or failed to enforce safe driving policies, the company may be found negligent.

When companies take intentional steps to create a culture of driver safety, they reduce these potential liabilities significantly. They can also lower insurance costs and enhance their corporate reputation. A commitment to driver safety also extends to driver retention, because employees will want to remain with employers who look out for their well-being.

A Six-Point Safety Strategy for Small to Midsize Fleets

Employees of businesses like security guard firms and pest control companies may not technically be classified as “professional drivers,” but managers should still put the same precautions in place as they would with any size fleet. Start by implementing these six measures.

1. Hire the most qualified drivers. Companies should define what constitutes an acceptable driving record. Supervisors should then request and review motor vehicle records for all job candidates and identify any red flags, such as driving-while-intoxicated (DWI or DUI) violations or having a large number of points on their license. Employers should only hire drivers who meet the company’s standards.
2. Put a fleet safety policy in writing. Historically, businesses with strict, enforced policies and procedures have a better loss experience than those that do not. Policies typically include code-of-conduct standards for how drivers are expected to behave behind the wheel. They should also consider including prohibitions on any type of distractions behind the wheel (such as calling, eating, texting, smoking or grooming), along with clear penalties for non-compliance, a disciplinary procedure and escalation methods after multiple violations.
3. Offer regular driver training sessions. Teach employees about safe driving practices at new-hire orientation, and consider assigning managers to accompany employee drivers for a ride-along or road test twice a year to evaluate their driving habits. Training sessions can include detailed steps on what to do in the event of an MVA, such as documenting the crash with pictures. Consider keeping an “accident kit” in all company vehicles with forms that allow drivers to fill in key details like direction of travel, weather conditions, and whether traffic signals were involved. Encourage employees to call the police, even for minor crashes. When talking with law enforcement, employees should not admit or imply they are at fault, as this could complicate claims handling.
4. Keep all vehicles roadworthy. Conduct routine preventive maintenance based on the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Ask employees to conduct routine inspections and submit reports at least monthly to identify any potential defects. Address any reported problems immediately.
5. Use technology to keep drivers safe. Consider telematics and GPS tracking to monitor each vehicle’s location and gather data on speeding, hard braking and other driver behavior. Employers can also install driver-facing and front-facing dash cams to provide defensible evidence in the event of an MVA. Businesses buying new vehicles should consider models with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings and collision avoidance systems.
6.  6. Keep all vehicles adequately insured. Most fleets should carry $1 million limits on their commercial auto policies and add umbrella insurance on higher limits if needed. Consult with an agent for personalized advice.

Protect the ‘Mobile Office’

Employees who spend much of their workday behind the wheel of a company vehicle deserve the same protection on the road that they get in the office. Companies that implement and document preventive safety measures, policies and procedures intended to create safer drivers will reduce their workers’ compensation exposure and strengthen their defense against claims of negligence while keeping workers safe and productive.