Same day delivery couriers aim to transport products from point A to point B in the fastest, most convenient way possible. However, business owners who offer expedited courier services must balance the safety of their mobile employees, as well as the safety of other drivers on the road.
According to a recent CellControl report, there are approximately 5,338,000 commercial crashes every year, accounting for more than $87 billion in business losses. And the average commercial crash costs $16,500, which is a hefty price for service providers and insurance carriers to swallow.
Between moving products quickly and implementing the necessary safety and insurance policies, there’s a lot of ground to cover. With more than 3,000 fleet vehicles on the road in the U.S, delivery service professionals must monitor and manage employees to ensure they are staying safe behind the wheel.
Below, we discuss the dangers of distracted driving, and offer solutions to help you better oversee employee cell phone use, mitigate risks and reduce loss.
Know your business exposure and liabilities
Let’s face it. In the delivery service sphere, it can be difficult manage multiple drivers simultaneously. However, business owners and operators are often held liable for the actions of negligent employees.
According to research conducted by the Council of State Governments, texting while driving can increase the chance of a crash by twofold. If the proper device policies are not in place, courier companies run the risk of incurring huge loses, should an employee(s) cause an accident due to distracted driving.
For example, a Texas man reached a $3.35 million settlement after he was rear-ended by a distracted commercial truck driver. The driver of the 18-wheel commercial truck was allegedly on his phone at the time of the crash.
To avoid costly accidents and help mitigate risks right off the bat, couriers should be proactive and focus on hiring qualified and responsible drivers. Qualified drivers should have a clean driving record, solid references, and have gone through all the necessary training and screenings.
Related Resource: Three Types of Driving Distractions (DMV)
Implement driving safety policies and tools
As technology has become engrained in everyday life, it’s no surprise that cell phone use is the second leading cause of death in distracted driving-related accidents. An increasing number of states and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving. However, one-third of drivers admitted to texting behind the wheel, and three-fourths admit to witnessing another driver texting.
Although technology has become a serious risk factor for today’s courier, it can also be used as a solution. Installing a mobile application, such as Cellcontrol, on employee devices can help mitigate the chance of a crash by preventing distracted driving.
Technology like Cellcontrol simplifies fleet management by providing detailed reports on driver performance and barring incoming calls and messages while vehicles are in motion. The app is supported across all mobile platforms, and enables employers to ensure their drivers are limiting distractions and performing up to standards.
Additionally, business owners should implement distracted driving policies by clearly communicating the ground rules for mobile employees. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the policy should restrict all texting while driving, establish specific guidelines and procedures for appropriate employee phone use, and remove any incentives that encourage employees to drive while distracted.
Risk Strategies Transportation works with nearly 2000 delivery and logistics companies of all shapes and sizes nationwide, specializing in the full range of insurance and risk management solutions for this industry: property & casualty, alternative risk solutions, employee benefits, IC risk programs, key person risk management, safety and accident prevention, executive and family risk, and financial services.
