Millions of workers drive vehicles as part of their jobs. Unfortunately, that means there are thousands of work-related vehicle deaths in the United States every year.
In fact, in 2019, people who died from operating vehicles on public roads while working accounted for 24% of all work-related deaths.
But even if you don’t drive as part of your job, you could drive to your workplace every day. That means you face just as many road risks as people who drive for a living.
If you’re an employee, it’s important you take note of the following motor vehicle safety advice. If you’re a business owner, you should check out the following recommendations so that you can educate your workers on road safety and ensure they remain safe as they travel to work.
Prepare and Check Before You Drive
If you do happen to be involved in an accident on your way to work and you are injured, you can at least go through the car accident lawsuit process to claim compensation. That can cover things like loss of current and future earnings as well as medical costs.
But hopefully, you will remain safe while driving to work. To remain safe, it’s imperative you actively follow safety procedures.
First off, you should put on your seatbelt, adjust your chair, headrest, and mirrors as required, and ensure your maintenance is up-to-date before you put your key in the ignition.
By doing initial preparation before you start driving, you reduce your chances of encountering problems and being involved in an accident on your way to work.
Avoid Distractions
Paying attention to the road at all times is the best way to ensure your safety. So, you need to avoid all distractions.
That means not using your cell phone and not adjusting the GPS while you are driving.
Drive at an Optimal Speed for the Conditions
You should drive at a speed that is optimal for the conditions. For instance, you should drive slower on icy roads or during dark wintertime mornings.
Adjust your speed according to the conditions and you’ll reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.
Never Speed
Speeding is one of the leading causes of road accidents in the United States, so always stick to the speed limit.
Of course, if there’s one time when people are tempted to speed, it’s when they are late for work. But it is much better to be late than to potentially end up in a life-changing accident.
If you find you’re often late for work, leave the house earlier instead of speeding, which endangers your life and others.
Don’t Assume Other Drivers Are as Diligent as You
Even when you drive very carefully and attentively, you don’t want to make the mistake of thinking other drivers are doing the same.
Never assume that other drivers will behave in the ways that they should. You’ll then be readier to take action, such as coming to an emergency stop, when another driver acts in a reckless way.
Drive Predictably
On the flip side to the above point, make sure your driving behavior isn’t unpredictable. If you suddenly change lanes or come to a stop without warning, you increase the risk of an accident occurring.
So, make sure other drivers can predict your actions to maximize your safety and the safety of other drivers and passengers.
Plan Routes Ahead of Time
If you travel to different workplaces each day or occasionally as part of your job, you should plan your route before you start driving.
You then won’t be struggling with GPS distractions and be tempted to speed because you’re late.
Plan your route to ensure you get to your workplace on time and reduce the risk of being involved in an accident.
