Industry News
Back to School Traffic Safety: Protecting Students and Drivers
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
August marks the start of a new school year and an increase of traffic risks for company drivers. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports motor-vehicle fatalities often increase in the month of August. Daily driver routes can be impacted by new drivers, students on e-bikes, and school zones. It is important to prepare and train company drivers for potential hazards they will face on the road.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
August marks the start of a new school year and an increase of traffic risks for company drivers. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports motor-vehicle fatalities often increase in the month of August. Daily driver routes can be impacted by new drivers, students on e-bikes, and school zones. It is important to prepare and train company drivers for potential hazards they will face on the road.
As children and teens head back to school, campuses and neighborhoods will see an increase in pedestrian traffic. Drivers should be aware of children crossing the road, sometimes unexpectedly, and be prepared to stop quickly if needed. School zones also have slower speed limits than other parts of the neighborhood and drivers should be prepared to follow all additional school-zone laws. Morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times will be especially busy, and organizations should be reminding their drivers to remain alert at all times.
Company drivers should also be aware that they will be sharing the roads with inexperienced teen drivers and students riding bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and skateboards. Drivers and riders with limited experience can make unpredictable moves on the road. Educating employees on defensive driving tactics can help prepare them to avoid hazards and prevent possible accidents.
The best type of safety training is proactive, not reactive. Preparing company drivers before school resumes is key to enforcing safe habits on the road. Building and implementing a fleet safety program is a necessity to train new drivers and remind seasoned employees of proper driving habits. A fleet safety program can include trainings on defensive driving, route planning, and avoiding distractions to help reduce the risk of collisions.
Rancho Mesa provides clients with a number of fleet safety resources in the SafetyOne™ website and mobile app.
SafetyOne Resources:
Comprehensive Online Driver Safety Training
52 Driver-Specific Toolbox Talks
Automobile Accident Report
Register to watch our on-demand webinar “Building a Fleet Safety Program with Rancho Mesa’s Tools and Resources.”
For more information, contact your client technology team.
Training Your Team for Safer Driving This Fall
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Summer break is coming to a close and as students return to the classroom, drivers can expect an influx of cars on the road. Whether you’re dropping the kids off at school or operating a commercial vehicle, busier commutes mean more risk. Safe driving should always be a priority, but with more people rushing to their destinations, this is a time to be extra vigilant behind the wheel. Drivers will likely encounter more school busses, cyclists, pedestrians, and teenage drivers still getting the hang of operating a vehicle than in the summer months, which can pose additional hazards.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Summer break is coming to a close and as students return to the classroom, drivers can expect an influx of cars on the road.
Whether you’re dropping the kids off at school or operating a commercial vehicle, busier commutes mean more risk. Safe driving should always be a priority, but with more people rushing to their destinations, this is a time to be extra vigilant behind the wheel. Drivers will likely encounter more school busses, cyclists, pedestrians, and teenage drivers still getting the hang of operating a vehicle than in the summer months, which can pose additional hazards.
Unsafe driving practices can lead to property damage, injury, or even death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports the rate of fatal crashes and crashes which resulted in injury in 2023 peaked in the months of September and October. Plus, with auto rates on the rise, on-the-job accidents can cause premiums to skyrocket. And for employees, a history of auto accidents on your personal driving record can hinder your chances of being hired for roles that include driving as part of the job.
To keep drivers safe and insurance premiums low, employers should take time to train employees on safe driving practices and highlight potential hazards they might encounter on the road.
Rancho Mesa’s SafetyOne™ platform offers a variety of safety resources including online training courses and a library of 52 driver-specific toolbox talks, in both English and Spanish. These trainings can be used as weekly safety refreshers, or to help correct specific unsafe actions. If you want to address the increase in traffic during the fall months, Rancho Mesa recommends these toolbox talks:
Awareness of Pedestrian and Vehicle Traffic for Company Drivers
Avoiding Distracted Driving for Company Drivers
Handling Aggressive Drivers for Company Drivers
Managing Following Distance for Company Drivers
Right-of-Way Rules for Company Drivers
School Zone Awareness for Company Drivers
Sharing the Road with Cyclists & Pedestrians for Company Drivers
Understanding Blind Spots for Company Drivers
To receive weekly driver-specific toolbox talks directly to your inbox, subscribe to Rancho Mesa’s free weekly Driver Safety newsletter.