Motor Fleet Safety Basics:Training for the Safety Supervisor

Unit 4: Accident Prevention and Basic Investigation

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Unit 4 Objectives• Identify actions safety supervisors should take at the

scene of an accident

• Identify actions drivers should take at the scene of an accident

• Define accident as the DOT defines it

• Determine if an accident was preventable

• Compute company accident rates

• Determine when an on-the-scene investigation of an accident is required

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Unit 4 Objectives• Explain how and why the forms included in an

Accident Report Kit are to be used at the scene of an accident

• Describe the procedures for collecting the information needed to complete an accident report

• Evaluate information obtained from witness interviews to identify possible training issues and the potential impact that witnesses may have on the company’s case

• Determine if post-accident alcohol or drug testing is required

What is an Accident?

An unintended event that causes death, injury, or property damage

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DOT Definition of Accident An occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a highway in interstate or intrastate commerce which results in:

• A fatality

• Bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident

• One or more vehicles incurs disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the vehicle to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other vehicle

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Incidents that are not Accidents

• Boarding and alighting from a stationary motor vehicle

• Loading and unloading of cargo

An occurrence is not an accident if it involves only-

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Definitions - Highway

A highway is any road under the jurisdiction of a public agency and open to public travel or any other road on private property that is open to public travel

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Definitions - Fatality and Disabling Damage

• Fatality: An injury which results in death at the time of the accident or within 30 days of the accident

• Disabling Damage: Damage which precludes departure of a motor vehicle from the scene of the accident in its usual manner in daylight after simple repairs

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Disabling DamageIncludes

• Vehicles that could have been driven but more damage would have occurred

Excludes • Damage which can be remedied temporarily at the scene without special tools or parts.• Tire disablement without other damage even if no spare tire is available.• Headlight or taillight damage• Damage to turn signals, horn or windshield wipers

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Interpretation of Disabling DamageTo what extent would the windshield and/or mirrors of a vehicle have to be damaged in order for it to be considered "disabling damage" as used in the definition of an accident in Part 390.5?

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Interpretation of TowawayA CMV becomes stuck in a median or on a shoulder, and has had no contact with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a fixed object prior to becoming stuck.

If a tow truck is used to pull the CMV back onto the traveled portion of the road, would this be considered an accident?

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DOT Safety Rating ThresholdsAccident Rate Factor Rating

> 1.5 per million*

< 1.5 per million*

UnsatisfactorySatisfactory

* 1.7 per million for urban carriers

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Calculating Accident Rates

Accident Rate =Accidents X 1,000,000

Mileage

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Preventable Accident

If a driver, who exercises normal judgment and foresight could have foreseen the possibility of the accident, that in fact occurred, and avoided it by taking steps within his/her control which would not have risked causing another kind of mishap, the accident was preventable.

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Warning Devices – Divided Highway

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Straightaway

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Approaching a Hilltop

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Approaching a Curve

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Beyond a Curve

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Over a Hill

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Accident Report Kit - Accident Notification Card

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Witness Cards

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Exoneration Card

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Accident Scene Description

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Company Investigation Form

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Accident Reporting Requirements • Accident Register

• State requirements

• Company requirements

• Insurance requirements

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Post-Accident Alcohol and Drug Testing

• All fatal accidents

• DOT Accidents for which CMV driver was cited

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Post-Accident Media Relations

• A plan

• A spokesperson

• Drivers decline to answer questions

Following an accident, it is important to have:

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When is Investigation Not Necessary?

a. When there was a fatal injury

b. When the driver has been involved in several minor accidents

c. When there was minor property damage

d. When transportation of hazardous materials was involved

In which of the following accident situations is an on-the-scene company response NOT necessary?

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Reasons to Investigate• Prevent operational breakdowns

• Identify areas where training is deficient

• Identify ways to improve service

• Prepare for potential litigation

• Prevent recurring accidents

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Areas to Investigate• The driver

• The trip

• The environment

• The vehicles

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Investigation Process1. Review driver’s accident report

2. Interview driver

3. Inspect vehicles involved

4. Interview other parties

5. Interview witnesses

6. Inspect accident scene

7. Compile report

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Costs of an Accident

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Accident Prevention Review all aspects of your operation:

• Personnel policies

• Drug and alcohol misuse prevention programs

• Compliance

• Training

• Driver observation

• Awards program

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Driver Screening • Interview procedures

• Applicant qualifications

• Previous employment inquiries

• Prior driving record

• Medically qualified

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Avoiding Alcohol Misuse and Drug Use • Make inquiries

• Prior employers• Driving records

• Develop written policies

• Provide training• Supervisors• Drivers• Management

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Hours of Service Compliance • Log book audits

• Hours of service violations• Falsification

• Disciplinary policy for violations

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Subjects for Driver Training Programs • Load securement

• Hours of service / fatigue

• Adverse weather

• Vehicle inspection procedures

• Defensive driving

• Urban and rural driving

• Rules of the road

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Driver Observation Techniques • Unannounced “ride along”

• Public observations (Fleetsafe)

• Independent carriers’ observations

• Company drivers’ observations

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Safe Driver Incentives• Recognition of safe drivers

• Company Safe Driving Championships

• State Safe Driving Championships

• Evaluation of driver performance

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Awards Program• Recognition for accident free driving

• Packages for: • 250,000 miles• 500,000 miles• 750,000 miles • 1,000,000 miles

• Includes pins, patches, cards and plaques

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Awards Program ComponentsEssential components:

• Accident Review Board

• Formal award presentation program

• Internal and external publicity

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Awards Program Basic Rules• Establish a starting date

• If an accident within 3 years . . . start over

• After three years . . . 1 year accident-free penalty period

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Mile/Time EquivalentsYou can use time equivalents to mileage data, at company discretion . . .

Miles Years Hours

1,000,000 12 25,000

750,000 9 18,750

500,000 6 12,500

250,000 3 6,750

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Questions