Employees must report all crashes, regardless of severity, to their supervisor as soon as possible. From an insurance company perspective, reporting a crash within 48 hours of the event is a good goal to maintain. Review all crashes to determine their cause and whether they were preventable.

Understanding the root causes of crashes, regardless of fault, forms the basis for eliminating them in the future. Review the safety features of all vehicles to be considered for use. Implement a routine preventive maintenance schedule for servicing and checking safety-related equipment.

Conduct regular maintenance according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Hire a mechanic to inspect each vehicle at least annually, and place documented results in the vehicle's file.

There are a variety of corrective action programs available; most are based on a system that assigns points for moving violations. The system should describe progressive disciplinary actions if a driver develops a pattern of repeated traffic violations or preventable crashes in any predefined period.

Even experienced drivers benefit from periodic training and reminders of safe driving practices and skills. It is important to clearly establish which, if any, local, state, and federal regulations govern your vehicles and drivers.

This document cannot be assumed to contain every acceptable safety and compliance procedure or that additional procedures might not be appropriate under the circumstances.

Markel does not guarantee that this information is or can be relied on for compliance with any law or regulation, assurance against preventable losses, or freedom from legal liability.

This is EXTREMELY dangerous when operating a vehicle. Even though drunk drivers can be prevented, they continue to cause crashes every day. If you go out and plan to drink always use a designated driver or a ride service.

Reckless drivers are often impatient in traffic so be sure to take extra care around aggressive drivers. Weather conditions can play a major factor in car accidents. Rain creates slick and dangerous surfaces for cars, trucks, and motorcycles and often causes automobiles to spin out of control or skid while braking.

To avoid a car accident, drive extra careful when it rains. Alcohol is not the only substance that can cause impaired decisions and control.

Drugs, both legal and illegal, can impair your ability to fully function as a driver. Whether it is a stop sign or a red light, red means stop. Drivers that run red lights and stop signs, run the risk of causing wrongful death because they often cause side-impact and rollover collisions at high speeds.

To avoid a car accident always come to a complete stop and look both ways for oncoming cars. The motions that have become second nature to seasoned drivers are still being learned, such as checking blind spots, using turn signal lights, and following the rules of the road.

Driving during the day can be dangerous, but driving at night can double your chances for an accident. As the sun goes down, your awareness of the road and cars around you must go up.

There will always come a time where you need to get over to another lane. To prevent an accident use your left and right turn signals and always check your blind spots before proceeding to the left lane or right lane.

The reason that we have stop lights, turn signals, and lanes designated for moving either right or left as opposed to straight is to guide drivers.

When drivers ignore these guides, car accidents are often the result. To prevent a car accident, always look for signs and obey the proper right-of-way before you make a turn. Many drivers are impatient and this can lead to driving too close to another car that they cannot react in time if the car in front of them brakes suddenly.

You should always allow one car length between the car in front of you for every 10 mph you drive. Many fatal car accidents have occurred when a driver dangerously tailgates another driver at high speeds and is unable to stop in time when the rear lights come on.

The winter months can be very dangerous. Snow can mix with water and become sloshy and ice can be difficult to see and prevent. This danger can be escalated since most people do not know the proper protocols.

However, if this is not an option, keep extra distance between you and the car in front of you, decrease your speed, go easy on the breaks at stops, and if you do hit ice do not slam on the brakes.

Some drivers let their rage take over and make unwise decisions. By tailgating another driver in anger or speeding past another driver only to pull in front of them and brake causes many needless car accidents each year.

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com When you click "Continue" you will be taken to a site owned by , not GEICO. Top Ten Tips To Avoid An Accident. Preventing accidents is easy when you know what to do. Develop the right attitude about driving.

Many teen auto accidents are a result of attitude and maturity, not skills or knowledge. Make a commitment to yourself to practice a responsible attitude about driving.

You're controlling over 3, pounds of fast-moving metal, and you owe it to yourself, your passengers and other drivers to drive responsibly. Get as much supervised practice driving as possible. Your parents should take an active role in your practice driving. Make a firm schedule with them and stick to it.

And keep it up until you take your test to get a license. Many states now have graduated licensing laws. To learn about the laws in your state visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

ALWAYS wear your safety belt.

The faster you drive, the slower your reaction time will be if you need to prevent an auto accident and the longer it will take to stop your car. This is EXTREMELY dangerous when operating a vehicle. Even though drunk drivers can be prevented, they continue to cause crashes every day.

If you go out and plan to drink always use a designated driver or a ride service. Reckless drivers are often impatient in traffic so be sure to take extra care around aggressive drivers.

Weather conditions can play a major factor in car accidents. Rain creates slick and dangerous surfaces for cars, trucks, and motorcycles and often causes automobiles to spin out of control or skid while braking. To avoid a car accident, drive extra careful when it rains.

Alcohol is not the only substance that can cause impaired decisions and control. Drugs, both legal and illegal, can impair your ability to fully function as a driver.

Whether it is a stop sign or a red light, red means stop. Drivers that run red lights and stop signs, run the risk of causing wrongful death because they often cause side-impact and rollover collisions at high speeds.

To avoid a car accident always come to a complete stop and look both ways for oncoming cars. The motions that have become second nature to seasoned drivers are still being learned, such as checking blind spots, using turn signal lights, and following the rules of the road.

Driving during the day can be dangerous, but driving at night can double your chances for an accident. As the sun goes down, your awareness of the road and cars around you must go up.

There will always come a time where you need to get over to another lane. To prevent an accident use your left and right turn signals and always check your blind spots before proceeding to the left lane or right lane. The reason that we have stop lights, turn signals, and lanes designated for moving either right or left as opposed to straight is to guide drivers.

When drivers ignore these guides, car accidents are often the result. To prevent a car accident, always look for signs and obey the proper right-of-way before you make a turn.

Many drivers are impatient and this can lead to driving too close to another car that they cannot react in time if the car in front of them brakes suddenly. You should always allow one car length between the car in front of you for every 10 mph you drive.

Many fatal car accidents have occurred when a driver dangerously tailgates another driver at high speeds and is unable to stop in time when the rear lights come on. The winter months can be very dangerous. Snow can mix with water and become sloshy and ice can be difficult to see and prevent.

This danger can be escalated since most people do not know the proper protocols. However, if this is not an option, keep extra distance between you and the car in front of you, decrease your speed, go easy on the breaks at stops, and if you do hit ice do not slam on the brakes.

Some drivers let their rage take over and make unwise decisions. Check your lights on a regular basis to make sure they are working and never drive when any of your bulbs are not working properly.

You should not wait until your vehicle starts bumping and rattling before you notice your tires are worn unevenly. Worn tires have a reduced grip on the road which makes them hazardous and may lead to a car crash. Attempt to rotate your tires and adjust alignment every time you get an oil change; this will increase fuel economy as well.

However, defective tires may not have any outward visible signs. However, if a manufacturer has recalled a part, it is usually because serious damage was caused to the life and property of other drivers.

It is imperative that the recall is taken care of to avoid a potential tragedy. Pay attention to the check engine light when it comes on. The problem may be a quick fix like a loose gas cap or it could be a major issue causing havoc on your engine.

Attempt the quick fixes on your own; if the light is still on after doing so, take your vehicle in to get serviced. Having a heavy foot puts you at greater risk of being involved in a crash. Traveling at the speed limit makes it easier for you to brake gradually instead of slamming on the brakes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA , there were 9, speed-related fatalities in Your signals are there for a reason!

Your turn signals are used to communicate with other drivers and pedestrians. Use your signal in advance to allow other drivers to slow down and avoid them rear-ending you. Pedestrians look for signals to avoid getting in your path.

Just because a car is approaching a stop sign, does not mean they will actually stop. Signal lights are sometimes left on after we turn; therefore, if someone has a signal light on, it does not always mean they will be turning.

Do not assume your mirror sees everything. Resources: Take advantage of car seat safety checks held nationwide during National Child Passenger Safety Week , which takes place every September. Prevention Tips LOOK before you LOCK. Resources CDC Child Safety Website Backover Factsheet Factors Associated with Pediatric Mortality from Motor Vehicle Crashes in the United States: A State-Based Analysis.

Resources Rule the Road Pediatricians and Safe Teen Driving Parent-Teen Driving Agreement Dangerous Driving Situations Related to Teen Driving Young Drivers in the Workplace: How Employers and Parents Can Help Keep Them Safe on the Road NHTSA Guide to Teen Safe Driving. Resources MMWR—Health Burden and Medical Costs of Nonfatal Injuries to Motor Vehicle Occupants CDC Vital Signs January, : Adult Seat Belt Use Policy Impact: Seat Belts.

Characteristics of self-regulation classes defined by latent class analysis Resources CDC Older Adult Drivers Older Drivers in the Workplace Fact Sheet Rides In Sight —provides information about senior transportation options in local communities throughout the United States.

Resources NHTSA Distracted Driving Teen Distracted Driving Facts and Stats NHTSA Enforcement Campaign Resources Technologies Can Reduce Cell Phone Distracted Driving. Resources National Safety Council Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety Facts Pedestrians Data Distracted Walking a Major Pedestrian Safety Concern How Does a Teenager Cross the Road?

Resources Motorcycle Helmet Laws to Prevent Motor Vehicle-Related Injury Handout Motorcycle Safety Facts and Stats. Resources Buses Are the Safest Mode of Transportation for School Children National School Bus Safety Week third full week of October.

National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts: Data: Occupant Protection. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC; Publication no.

Indiana Legislative. General and traffic law. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. Parents are the key. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA.

Traffic Safety Facts Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System FARS and the General Estimate System GES. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety IIHS.

Fatality facts , Older people. Arlington VA : IIHS; November Retrieved on October 29, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Visual-manual NHTSA driver distraction guidelines for in-vehicle electronic devices: notice of federal guidelines.

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