Motor vehicle accidents are very expensive. If your business employs drivers, it’s critical to do what you can to prevent accidents on the job by employing safe, responsible drivers.
The Problem: High, High Costs
Here are a few numbers from NETS, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety:
- An accident involving property damage only costs an employer an average of $5,483.
- An accident with injuries rings up at over $75k.
- An accident with a fatality can cost $750,000.
- A fleet of 1,000 vehicles will incur over $1MM in property damages alone every year due to traffic accidents.
And these are just the minimums; companies incur additional costs from lost workdays, higher insurance rates, additional recruiting expenses, and damages to their brand and reputation.
Investing in safety protects lives and saves money.
The Solution to Accidents: Motor Vehicle Reports
Motor vehicle reports are critical in any program geared towards reducing traffic accidents.
A motor vehicle report (MVR) checks an individual’s driving record. It typically includes information such as the following:
- License status
- License class
- Endorsements
- Driving restrictions
- Traffic violations
- At fault accidents
- Crimes involving a vehicle
- License suspensions
- Unpaid parking tickets and fines
If your business employs drivers and is regulated by the DOT, MVRs are mandated for the pre-employment phase of your hiring process. But even if you’re not subject to DOT mandates, it just makes sense to check MVR before sending a driver to represent your business out on the road. Employees can enroll in reputable driving schools like Go & Drive to ensure that they are safe on the road.
Motor Vehicle Monitoring
But things change. Just because a driver had a clean record before employment doesn’t mean they’ll maintain that record. Continuous MVR monitoring keeps you abreast of any relevant changes to your employees’ driving records. Here’s how it works:
- The initial MVR establishes a baseline.
- Your background check provider then continuously monitors the driving record. Your background check agency is notified whenever new information pops up on the record.
- Upon receipt of notification, the provider will pull the MVR, review the changes, and let you know in real-time so you can take necessary action.
The Result
The results of MVRs and continuous monitoring include the following:
- Identification of risky behaviors
- Ability to remove risky drivers from the road
- Early identification of potential problems
- Compliance
- Safety
- Cost savings
- Lower risk of negligent hiring or negligent employment suits
- And more
Protect your business, your assets, and other drivers by doing what you can to keep safe drivers on the road.
