Diverting From a Collision Course

By Elisa Durand, May 22nd, 2012 @ 7:33 pm

When we talk about total cost of ownership, we usually focus about the expected costs of operating that vehicle. We are optimistic that drivers – and our best managerial efforts – will help avoid the repair costs, downtime, and risk associated with traffic collisions whenever possible.

We provide vehicle operators with safety training, and ensure that preventive maintenance is performed on a timely basis. We author vehicle policies aimed at prudent operation of company vehicles. On a daily basis, we fortify our fleet defenses against the unpredictable and the unexpected.

But do our efforts pay off?

My answer is an unequivocal “yes” without even knowing the statistical effectiveness. It only takes a few minutes of online reading to understand the deadly perils involved in driving a poorly maintained vehicle while multi-tasking.  If our efforts can offset even a portion of that risk through education and proper upkeep of vehicle assets, then they are absolutely worth it.

I read an interesting article the other day on Automotive Fleet’s website about a study that focused on tire problems and resulting accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported several interesting findings:

•     When tires are underinflated by 25% or more, tire problems are three times as likely to be cited as critical events before a crash.
•     Of the SUVs that experienced tire problems before a crash, 45% of them rolled over.
•     Of tires with tread depth in the range of 0 to 2/32 of an inch, 26% were in vehicles that experienced tire-related problems before a crash.

The moral of the story is that basic maintenance can help keep our drivers safe. To read more about the study, click here: http://www.automotive-fleet.com/News/Story/2012/05/NHTSA-Report-Says-Low-Tire-Tread-Depth-and-Underinflation-Increase-Collision-Chances.aspx

For more information on distracted driving, click here: http://www.distraction.gov/research/PDF-Files/Distracted-Driving-2009.pdf

Click here to contact Elisa.