Operation, fleet maintenance and safety of commercial vehicles and commercial drivers qualifications, as well as drug and alcohol testing, is governed by Federal and State Department of Transportation (DOT).
A preventable vehicle accident is one which occurs because the driver fails to act in a reasonably expected manner to prevent it. In judging whether the driver’s actions were reasonable, one seeks to determine whether the driver drove defensively and demonstrated an acceptable level of skill and knowledge. The judgment of what is reasonable can be based on a company-adopted definition, thus establishing a goal for its safety management programs.
Note that the above definition of preventable vehicle accident is focused on the actions of the driver. It is the commonly used definition in evaluating driver performance. A broader definition, which can be used to evaluate the driver’s and the motor carrier’s actions, is given by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as follows: A preventable vehicle accident on the part of a motor carrier means an accident (1) that involved a commercial motor vehicle, and (2) that could have been averted but for an act, or failure to act, by the motor carrier, or the driver.
The concept of a preventable accident is a fleet safety management tool which achieves the following goals:
• It helps establish a safe driving standard for the driver.
• It provides a criterion for evaluating individual drivers.
• It provides an objective for accident investigations and evaluations.
• It provides a means for evaluating the safety performance of individual drivers and the fleet as a whole.
• It provides a means for monitoring the effectiveness of fleet safety programs.
• It assists in dealing with driver safety infractions.
• It assists in the implementation of safe driving recognition programs.
Substance Abuse
It has been well documented that drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have been involved in about half of all fatal traffic accidents. Drinking or substance abuse by drivers of alcohol or drugs cannot be tolerated. Company management must be acutely aware of the seriousness of this societal problem and establish procedures to effectively control it within their respective organizations.
Are the driving records and references of new-hire applicants checked thoroughly for evidence of drinking or substance abuse problems?
• Has a written policy been established which stipulates countermeasures that will be followed when dealing with abusers?
• Has a formal policy been made known to all drivers?
• Do drivers’ immediate supervisors and dispatchers know how to identify personnel under the influence?
• Are immediate supervisors and dispatchers motivated to notify management about problem drivers?
• Has management educated drivers about the ways in which drinking and substance abuse affect driving performance?
• Does the company have a list of references and potential sources for help available to drivers?
• Be aware of marked changes in work behavior, personal relations, emotional moods and appearance of your drivers.
• Immediate supervisors are in the best position to observe unusual driver behavior.
• Do a thorough job in screening applicants regarding drinking and substance abuse. Your company can’t afford to deal with the problems abusers will give you.
Essentials for Drivers:
• Don’t drink and drive.
• Don’t abuse drugs, legal or illegal.
• Find out if prescription or over-the-counter medications may adversely affect safe driving.
• Get help fast if you have, or think you may have an abuse problem.
More detailed information on fleet and driver safety management can be found in the Members Library
