7 Tips for Employees Who Drive

Intro:

Some business fields require employees to drive. Common driving-related industries include trucking, delivery, and sales.

Thanks to the gig economy, some individuals make a living from driving. Even though Americans drove less in 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 38,680 persons lost their lives in a vehicle accident.

All drivers must practice caution when driving. Companies whose employees drive face an additional layer of liability, namely litigation. Thus, employers should help their team stay safe on the road.

Whether you employ a team of drivers, require employees to drive on an occasional basis, or drive for yourself as a career, the following are seven tips to consider.  

click here – Windows 10 best performance mode: how to activate it

1. Hire Employees with Clean Driving Records

The best way to protect employees who drive is to hire candidates with clean driving records. On the road, anything can happen. However, an accident, speeding ticket, and other driving misdemeanors are telling. 

Frequent driving violations indicate that something is happening in this area for the individual. 

Companies must hire the best staff members. Every recruit impacts the entire company. If a business finds itself tied up with traffic violations and litigation, it eats into profits.

Driving for a ride-share company offers entrepreneurial benefits, such as making your schedule. Even though every driver is a freelancer, contractors must represent the company in a positive light too. 

Thus, if adhering to traffic laws poses a challenge, it’s best to pick a different income stream.

2. Provide Driving-Focused Training

Everyone takes a test to earn their driver’s license from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV records all violations on the violator’s license record. When the renewal date rolls around, the individual takes the appropriate test.

For example, missing a red light indicates that the driver may have eyesight issues. 

On the other hand, a driver with no violations can automatically renew their license without taking any tests. Ideally, this is the employee your company hired.

It still benefits an organization to provide driving-focused training. It’s an opportunity to present company expectations, policies, and procedures. For company vehicles, explain the employee’s responsibilities. 

Also, go over expense and mileage reimbursements, if applicable.

3. Equip Company Vehicles with Technology

Every year, manufacturers and brands deliver new technology gadgets that benefit vehicles and the people who drive them. Add a dash cam, GPS navigation system, and vehicle diagnostic tool.

Other tech gadgets, such as a wifi extender, Bluetooth signal enabler, and phone mount the employee can purchase for themselves; companies can supply them too.

Companies that need to optimize their team’s routes, mileage, and schedule benefit from the technology 2021 offers. It’s easy to pull data from the GPS device. 

A dash cam captures the scene of an accident. The footage comes in handy when you need to contact a personal injury lawyer. 

JT Legal Group provides more information for those involved in vehicle accidents including Uber and Lyft drivers here.

4. Check the Weather

Truck drivers work under pressure to make their deliveries on time. The supply chain depends on them. However, extreme weather shifts alter plans. 

All drivers need to check the weather from their starting point to their destination. An estimated 22% of accidents occur in bad weather annually according to the Federal Highway Administration.

5. Schedule Regular Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicles are a work of engineering art. When they reach mileage milestones, vehicles require maintenance. Truck drivers know that their equipment requires a look-over after every long-distance haul. 

For employees who drive, an important tip to remember is to schedule regular vehicle maintenance.

A car that remains in good condition lasts longer. In addition, it’s less likely to fail in the middle of traffic or a long commute.

click here – eToro – Things you need to know

6. Take a Break

In 1962, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration instituted the Hours of Service rules. To ensure the continued safety of the roads, additional tweaks took effect thereafter.

All drivers require a break from driving. In 2017, 91,000 reported crashes involved drowsy driving. It’s a good idea to stop for lunch when driving for several hours. The stop breaks the monotony of driving. Consider taking advantage of rest stops to stretch your legs and grab a cup of caffeine too.

7. Avoid Peak Crime Hours

Sometimes it’s necessary to drive during peak crime hours. If it’s possible, employees should avoid driving from sundown to sunup. Otherwise, it puts them in a precarious situation, even in nice areas of the country.

Instead, plan their day in a manner that keeps them on the road during sunlight-filled hours.

Conclusion

Most company employees drive without incurring problems on the road or violating traffic laws. Helping them maintain good driving habits has a positive impact. Contractors for ride-sharing companies, trucking companies, and delivery businesses serve themselves well by keeping in mind the above tips too.

The goal is to arrive at an appointment on time, without incident.