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null Commercial Vehicles: How to Prevent Winter Accidents

The cost of accidents

By focusing on prevention, you could avoid the expenses caused by a damaged vehicle in terms of productivity and profitability.

On top of a possible increase in the insurance premium for your vehicle policy, you might have to absorb other costs as well:

  • Insurance deductible for the damaged vehicle
  • Salary paid to the injured employee during the wait period for SAAQ and CNESST benefits and the salary to pay a replacement

Costs can be indirect as well:

  • Delivery delays
  • Service reductions
  • Client dissatisfaction
  • Income loss
  • Operating losses

Set up an accident prevention program

The program should include:

  • Proper preparation of vehicles for winter. In addition to installing winter tires (required in Quebec), have brakes, windshield wipers and batteries systematically checked before the first snowfall.
  • Driver monitoring. Your program should determine driver selection criteria, offer ongoing training, allow periodic driver’s license checks (with the SAAQ’s business services) and include drug and alcohol monitoring.
  • Reminders of the importance of adjusting driving for winter conditions and education about visibility issues, including completely clearing windows and making sure your tires are safe and in good condition.
  • Trip planning advice, using tools like Google Maps, The Weather Network and Québec 511 for road conditions.
  • Access to GPS and a hands-free mobile phone-particularly useful for employees who are on the road a lot.
  • Access, in commercial vehicles, to equipment like shovels, snow brushes and scrapers, booster cables, anti-skid plates and an emergency kit.
  • A policy and measures put in writing, circulated and signed by all parties involved.
  • Analysis of incidents to prevent them from happening again.

Reward good driving

To get employee buy-in, why not create a rewards program (e.g., for a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents) to go along with your policy? Managing the risk for winter accidents is everybody’s business, and can prevent a lot of personal problems for your employees and financial implications for your business.

You can also get tips on how to prepare your company for winter.

Commercial Vehicles: How to Prevent Winter Accidents

Harsh Quebec winters influence driving. All drivers should be extra careful, especially those behind the wheel of commercial vehicles. Don’t underestimate the costs of potential accidents involving your company’s vehicles. Educate your employees!

Courriel

These tips are provided for information and prevention purposes only. They are general in nature, and Desjardins Insurance cannot be held liable for them. We recommend using caution and consulting an expert for comprehensive, tailored advice.

In Quebec, Desjardins Insurance refers to Desjardins General Insurance Inc. In Ontario and Alberta, Desjardins Insurance refers to Certas Direct Insurance Company, underwriter of automobile and property insurance.

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