DriveSmartBC - Employee Safe Driving Policy

[skidmark]

I was listening to the investigation of a driving complaint unfold the other day. A member of the public had complained about the way a business vehicle was being driven and the constable had asked the dispatcher to inquire about the driver with the business. "He's a pretty bad driver" the dispatcher relayed from the business owner, "he should probably get a ticket."

My first reaction on hearing this was if that's the case, why was the business owner allowing the employee to drive? He clearly knew that his employee was either lacking in driving skill or had personal difficulties with the driving rules. Why take the risk? The employer could be held liable both criminally and civilly if this employee were to cause a collision.

Anyone who employs a driver, large business or small, should have a safe driving policy in effect that employees must signify that they are aware of and are expected to adhere to at all times while operating a business vehicle, whether for work purposes or not. Further, this policy should be even more comprehensive if the employee uses their personal vehicle for work purposes.

A safe driving policy will protect the employee as well. It can spell out when a vehicle is unsafe for work, how it is to be reported, who is expected to repair it and when an employee may acceptably refuse to operate the vehicle.

Risk management is good business.

Reference Links

[Soundy]

When I worked at ICBC Head Office (1999/2000), it was amazing the number of employees' cubicles that had pictures of their cars posted... from their photo radar tickets. Seemed to be something of a badge of honor...

[zulutango]

Any employer that has doubts about their employee's driving should get an asessment done by a reputable driving school.

[sebberry]

Originally Posted by Soundy

When I worked at ICBC Head Office

That explains why you're such a staunch supporter of their so-called safety initiatives.

Originally Posted by Soundy

it was amazing the number of employees' cubicles that had pictures of their cars posted... from their photo radar tickets. Seemed to be something of a badge of honor...

Let's not forget when the head of Road Safety, Mr. John Les lost his licence due to repeatedly doing what he kept saying was dangerous.

[Soundy]

Originally Posted by sebberry

That explains why you're such a staunch supporter of their so-called safety initiatives.

Actually, I was sub-contract IT support... but you go ahead and assume whatever makes you feel better.

And again, the only thing I support is anti-idiocy.

[jlenko]

Funny, I was just thinking this.. this past weekend... as many big trucks with single drivers in the HOV lane were passing the rest of us (going with the flow of traffic.. ha ha) on Highway 1.. many of those trucks bore the decals of the company that owns the truck..

I thought about calling the business and reporting the driver... but that would probably do about as much good as calling the police and reporting them.

[gars]

Originally Posted by jlenko

Funny, I was just thinking this.. this past weekend... as many big trucks with single drivers in the HOV lane were passing the rest of us (going with the flow of traffic.. ha ha) on Highway 1.. many of those trucks bore the decals of the company that owns the truck..

I thought about calling the business and reporting the driver... but that would probably do about as much good as calling the police and reporting them.

haha, they'd probably commend the driver, because it meant they weren't just driving slowly to avoid work - they were trying to be more efficient!