WHAT YOU CAN DO!

AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT RESULTS FOR 2004

42,636 people were killed 2,788,000 people were injured 4,281,000 accidents involved

property damage only On average, 117 people died

each day in motor vehicle accidents in 2004

This amounts to one fatality every 12 minutes

Seatbelts could have saved 21,273 people who died in 2004.

HOW WILL PREVENTING VEHICLE ACCIDENTS BENEFIT YOUR

COMPANY?

Reduced losses and injuries Improved public and customer relations Lower insurance costs Reduced indirect accident exposure Improved driver morale Reduced vehicle and contents damage Reduced uninsured accident costs Fewer delayed deliveries Increased profits

HORTICA’S VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL PROGRAM

Management leadership and support

Selecting drivers Driver training Driver supervision Vehicle inspection and

maintenance Accident procedures

MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT

Select mentally alert and physically qualified drivers

Check the past driving record Test the driver Instruct driver on rules of the road,

vehicle maintenance and general operating procedures

Make certain vehicles are maintained Observe drivers, correct unsafe

driving practices/conditions and develop improved techniques

Review all accidents, complete training and repair unsafe vehicles

SELECTING DRIVERS Application form Interviewing Reference checking Traffic accident records Driving tests

APPLICATIONAsk for: Name Address Telephone number Social security number Date available to start

work Academic or

applicable special training courses

Type of work wanted Previous positions

(including type of vehicle driven)

Length of employment Pay rate Names of immediate

supervisors Names and address of

previous employers

INTERVIEWING Ask applicant to bring MVR with them Ask about previous employment,

training and other qualifications Attitudes about scheduling,

maintenance problems, and previous accidents/violations are important

Check applicant’s driver’s license for expiration date, identification number and class of vehicles authorized to operate

Ask about applicant’s driving record

REFERENCE CHECKING Check references to confirm information on

application and from interview Also check:

Employment dates Type of work Vehicles driven Accidents Traffic violations

TRAFFIC AND ACCIDENT RECORDS

Important reference for a driver

Referred to as MVR or DMV checks

Statistics show that drivers with a poor accident or violation record are much more likely to repeat this behavior

DRIVING TESTS Road tests should be completed for any drivers

or employees that will drive at any time Don’t assume an applicant is a good driver based

on their experience alone Keep road tests in employee’s file for duration of

employment

DRIVER TRAINING Initial Refresher Remedial

TRAINING TOPICS Orientation Defensive Driving Accident Prevention Equipment Care and

Operation Accident and

Breakdown Reporting

DRIVER SUPERVISION Routing and

scheduling Hours of service Road observation Vehicle monitoring

programs Incentive programs Safety meetings

ROUTING AND SCHEDULING

When planning routes factor in: Routes and areas the

vehicles will be using number of miles for the

route average time required

to complete the trip loading arrangements GPS programs

HOURS OF SERVICE The longer a driver works, the

more he or she becomes fatigued making them more susceptible to being involved in an accident.

Management should watch for signs of fatigue or accident patterns which might be fatigue related accidents.

The use of drugs or alcohol must be prohibited.

During busy holidays drivers work additional hours so managers must watch for signs of fatigue and take action to prevent accidents.

ROAD OBSERVATION Managers can directly observe driver’s actions,

note condition of vehicles and identify road conditions on route

A driver check should be completed at least once a year

A Supervisor’s Defensive Checklist can be used for documentation

VEHICLE MONITORING PROGRAMS

Gives management feedback on the drivers How it works:

Decal on vehicle with toll free number 24-hour service receives call and screens for accuracy “Incident report” is immediately faxed to you This data can be easily graphed and reviewed for training

purposes

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS Programs can be used for

accident-free driving, fuel efficient driving, etc.

Awards-safety pins, patches, belt buckles, etc.

There should be established rules, good understanding of the program and accurate records should be maintained

Awards should be made promptly, by management, and in front of fellow employees

SAFETY MEETINGS Periodic safety meetings

keep interest high Small groups Should be confined to a

definite subject Should deal with problems A copy of training material

can be handed to each employee and posted

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION

Preventative maintenance Daily check by drivers

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

Needed to keep equipment operating safely and efficiently Program consists of:

Regular inspections by drivers Regular inspections by mechanics scheduled on a time or

mileage basis Ensures prompt, safe arrival, and reduces accidents

caused by mechanical error Vehicles with good condition and appearance send a

favorable message to the customer. Maintenance programs can be handled two ways:

Preventative maintenance and minor repairs-in house/all other repairs handled by outside company

All preventative maintenance and repairs are handled by outside company

DAILY CHECK BY DRIVERS

Finding and repairing a defect reduces the risk of a mechanical condition that may result in an accident or breakdown

Drivers should be responsible Check vehicles before each run

Check steering, brakes, engine noise, lights, general handling of vehicle and tires

Drivers should complete a vehicle condition report

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES Driver responsibility In case of accident packet

Stop immediately (shut off engine, set brakes) Protect the area with emergency warning devices Assist injured persons Notify police Provide their name, company name and driver’s license to

those involved. The driver should not discuss the accident with anyone except from their employer, police and the Hortica representative. Drivers must not apologize or admit guilt to anyone, no matter who’s at fault.

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES (Cont.)

Claim reporting number: 1-800-851-7740

Accident analysis Gather the facts Arrange them in an usable

format Analyze what happened

“Vehicle Accident Review” form

Determine if this was a “preventable accident”

Disposable cameras

DRIVER SELECTION We recommend that all of our customers, no matter

their size, should have the following: A driver selection policy Company safe driving policies

RECOMMENDED DRIVER SELECTION GUIDELINES

The policy should be in writing with a signed acknowledgement from each employee that they are aware of the policy.

The policy is administered fairly and equally to all employees.

The policy should be strict enough to meet Hortica guidelines.

Drivers should be checked before hiring. Any driver may obtain a copy of his/her Motor Vehicle Report from their state department of motor vehicles. Current and prospective drivers may choose to share their MVR with their current or prospective employer. Many employers require applicants to provide a copy of the MVR with their employment application. Employers may also contract with firms that provide Motor Vehicle Reports to employers to view reports on current and prospective employees.

ACCEPTABLE< 18 yrs At least 18

< 21 yrsAt least 21 < 26 yrs

Between 26 and 69 yrs

70 yrs or older

0 Violations0 Accidents

0 or 1 violation within 36 mos. however none may have occurred within past 12 mos.0 accidents within 36 mos.

0, 1 or 2 violation(s) within 36 mos. however no more than 1 violation may have occurred within 12 mos.0 or 1 accident within 36 months (however no accident may have occurred within 12 mos.)

0, 1 or 2 violation(s) within 36 mos. (all may have occurred within 12 mos.)0 or 1 accident within 36 mos. (accident may have occurred within 12 mos.)

0, 1 or 2 violation(s) within 36 mos. however no more than 1 violation may have occurred within 12 mos.0 or 1 accident within 36 months (however no accident may have occurred within 12 mos.)

MARGINALLY ACCEPTABLE

< 18 yrs At least 18 < 21 yrs

At least 21 < 26 yrs

Between 26 and 69 yrs

70 yrs or older

Not Applicable

0 or 1 violation within 36 mos. The violation may have occurred within past 12 mos.0 or 1 accident within 36 mos. however no accident may have occurred within the past 12 mos.

0, 1 or 2 violation(s) within 36 mos. (all may have occurred within 12 mos.)0 or 1 accident within 36 months (all accident may have occurred within 12 mos.)

0, 1, 2 or 3 violation(s) within 36 mos. (no more than 2 may have occurred within 12 mos.)0, 1 or 2 accident (s) within 36 mos. (however no more than 1 accident may have occurred within 12 mos.)

0, 1 or 2 violation(s) within 36 mos. (all may have occurred within 12 mos.)0 or 1 accident within 36 months (accident may have occurred within 12 mos.)

MARGINALLY ACCEPTABLE DRIVERS

Probationary status Any additional violations and/or accidents within the

experience period will make them unacceptable Underwriting may request a current MVR every six

months to review the status of the driver Hortica may request these drivers undergo

“Defensive Driver Training” Certificate of completion for the defensive driver

training must be received and signed by the training facility, the employer, and the driver

UNACCEPTABLE< 18 yrs At least 18

< 21 yrsAt least 21 < 26 yrs

Between 26 and 69 yrs

70 yrs or older

Any violationsAny accidents

2 or more violations within 36 mos.An accident within past 12 mos.Any major violation (DUI, Reckless Driving, Leaving scene of an accident) at any time.

3 or more violations within 36 mos.2 or more accidents within 36 mos.Any major violation (DUI, Reckless Driving, Leaving scene of an accident) within 36 months

4 or more violations within 36 mos.3 or more accidents within 36 mos.Any major violation (DUI, Reckless Driving, Leaving scene of an accident) within 36 months

3 or more violations within 36 mos.2 or more accidents within 36 mos.Any major violation (DUI, Reckless Driving, Leaving scene of an accident) within 36 months

UNACCEPTABLE DRIVERS Should not be allowed to operate a company

vehicle at any time nor to operate any other vehicle (including a vehicle owned by the driver) while that vehicle is being used for business purposes

Hortica requires drivers to undergo “Defensive Driver Training” in order for any consideration for an exception to allow these drivers to drive

A certificate of completion for the “Defensive Driver Training” must be received and signed by the training facility, the employer, and the driver before consideration to accept the driver is made by underwriting

The training must be completed within 60 days of the request date for consideration