If your restaurant uses a vehicle on behalf of the business for delivery, catering, Additional Distribution Point, errands and more, your business likely faces certain risks that others don’t, as having Team Members drive for your restaurants may increase your liability for accidents and damage.
Driver safety is paramount when it comes to minimizing your exposure while still providing quick and safe catering delivery. Consider implementing these driver safety tips to help reduce your risk.
10 Tips for Safer Driving
Experts believe more serious accidents are occurring because drivers are not taking the necessary precautions. While you can’t do much about traffic or potholes, you can take steps to help your drivers avoid claims and accidents.
One of the ways you can manage this risk exposure is by creating a safe driving program for your drivers. Safer driving can reduce workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims, protect property and financial assets, and reduce the risk of a liability lawsuit.
- Create a safe driving program for your restaurant and regularly communicate it to all Team Members.
- Document your policies and procedures in writing such as rules about seat belts, hands-free phone use, alcohol and drug use, distracted driving and other rules to reduce accidents.
- Plan to maximize drivers’ personal safety with surroundings awareness training, minimizing carried cash and valuables and issuing drivers a phone or radio.
- Require Team Member drivers to sign an agreement committing themselves to safe driving to help set expectations, increase awareness and positively influence behavior.
- Conduct driver screening, record checks and periodic reviews to minimize risk, such as screening out drivers with poor driving records with DUIs, aggressive driving or other issues.
- Arrange for drivers to have trip navigation aids such as dash-mounted GPS systems, hands-free devices or route checks before travel to reduce distracted driving.
- Require reporting and investigation of all traffic incidents to study the incidents that are occurring so similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
- Create a system for enforcing your policies and procedures, including how to handle policy violations with specific disciplinary actions or corrective measures.
- Offer safe driving rewards and incentives for Team Members who are safe drivers, such as recognition, prizes and special privileges for reaching safety goals.
- Ensure your safe driving program meets employer, industry and government highway standards and complies with all laws, rules and regulations. More information is available at OSHA.
Reduce Your Risk and Protect Your Restaurant with Driver Safety Tips
Focusing on driver safety can help reduce your restaurant’s risk when using vehicles on behalf of your business. As you work on developing a safe driving program for your restaurant, keep your insurer in the loop, so they can help protect your business.
For example, Property insurance available through the Chick-fil-A Operator Optional Insurance Program, administered by Lockton Affinity, includes Non-Owned Auto Physical Damage. This ensures non-owned vehicles being used for restaurant business (Team Member vehicles) are covered for a wide range of physical damage, such as collision with another vehicle, hitting a bird or animal, falling objects, glass breakage, vandalism, fire and more.
Enroll in coverage today or contact one of Lockton Affinity’s client advocates at (888) 403-3845.