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Institute three components to strengthen your vehicle safety program                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Loss Prevention Tools Help You be Proactive

Managing vehicle safety in higher education has become more challenging in recent years. Controllable risks are increasing across commercial and noncommercial operations, with distracted driving now the leading cause of crashes. These risks lead to higher insurance premiums, damage to institutional reputations, and employee retention issues. Additionally, nuclear verdicts – lawsuits with awards over $10 million, often linked to negligent hiring or retention – pose a growing financial threat.

To combat these challenges, colleges and universities must adopt loss prevention tools that work to address risky driving behaviors proactively. With robust safety programs prioritizing ongoing and incident-based employee driver training, colleges and universities can better retain quality employees while successfully mitigating exposure.

Build a Foundation for Safety

Knowledge fades over time if it's not reinforced. Without ongoing driver training, even well-trained drivers may forget essential campus policies and best driving practices, putting the safety of students, faculty, and visitors at risk.

With regular refresher courses in areas such as defensive driving, managing distractions, and other core safety topics, colleges and universities can ensure that drivers’ skills remain sharp and that their policies surrounding safety stay top of mind.

Target Specific Risks

While ongoing training sets a strong foundation, layering on incident-based training allows institutions of higher education to address emerging risks as they happen. This approach is especially effective in remediating risky behaviors following violations or near-miss incidents. Tailored training sessions can quickly correct bad habits, reducing the chances of future violations or crashes.

Suppose an employee driver receives a ticket for speeding. Once the violation is identified, incident-based training can provide immediate, corrective action targeted specifically at that behavior, helping the employee address the issue and safely return to the road.

Demonstrate a Commitment to Safety

Beyond ensuring drivers are confident and safe behind the wheel, ongoing and incident-based training both work to demonstrate an institution's commitment to safety in the event of litigation. In cases of legal disputes involving employee drivers, a comprehensive training program can serve as evidence that the institution took all necessary steps to mitigate risk and maintain a culture of safety.

Unlock Tangible Results

Employee driver training combined with the continuous monitoring of motor vehicle records (MVRs) has been proven to reduce driver violations. SambaSafety conducted a study measuring the impact of monitoring and training on driver risk. The data revealed a 77% violation reduction after 12 months, demonstrating the tangible benefits of a comprehensive safety program.

Get Helpful Strategies for Identifying and Reducing Risk

When colleges and universities invest in ongoing and incident-based driver training, they’re not just checking a box – they’re proactively reducing risk and elevating their safety culture.

Want a Deeper Dive?

URMIA members can check out the webinar, “Back to Basics: The Essentials of MVRs and Driver Monitoring.”

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