Motor Fleet Safety Basics: Training for the Safety Supervisor Unit 4: Accident Prevention and Basic Investigation

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 USDOT defines it Determine if an accident was preventable Compute company accident rates Determine when an on-the-scene investigation of an accident is required NATMI © 2018

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 NATMI © 2018

What is an Accident? An unintended event that causes death, injury, or property damage NATMI © 2018

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 NATMI © 2018

Incidents that are not Accidents An occurrence is not an accident if it involves only- Boarding and alighting from a stationary motor vehicle Loading and unloading of cargo NATMI © 2018

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 NATMI © 2018

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 NATMI © 2018

Disabling Damage Includes 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 NATMI © 2018

Interpretation of Disabling Damage To 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? NATMI © 2018

Interpretation of Towaway A 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? NATMI © 2018

DOT Safety Rating Thresholds Accident Rate Factor Rating > 1.5 per million* < 1.5 per million* Unsatisfactory Satisfactory * 1.7 per million for urban carriers NATMI © 2018

Calculating Accident Rates Accidents X 1,000,000 Mileage NATMI © 2018

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. NATMI © 2018

Warning Devices – Divided Highway NATMI © 2018

Straightaway NATMI © 2018

Approaching a Hilltop NATMI © 2018

Approaching a Curve NATMI © 2018

Beyond a Curve NATMI © 2018

Over a Hill NATMI © 2018

Accident Report Kit - Accident Notification Card NATMI © 2018

Witness Cards NATMI © 2018

Exoneration Card NATMI © 2018

Accident Scene Description NATMI © 2018

Company Investigation Form NATMI © 2018

Accident Reporting Requirements Accident Register State requirements Company requirements Insurance requirements NATMI © 2018

Post-Accident Alcohol and Drug Testing All USA fatal accidents USA bound or USA origin freight involved in a collision within 100 miles of the border must follow USDOT Post-Accident testing regulations DOT Accidents for which CMV driver was cited NATMI © 2018

Post-Accident Media Relations Following an accident, it is important to have: A plan A spokesperson Drivers decline to answer questions NATMI © 2018

When is Investigation Not Necessary? In which of the following accident situations is an on-the-scene company response 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 NATMI © 2018

Reasons to Investigate Prevent operational breakdowns Identify areas where training is deficient Identify ways to improve service Prepare for potential litigation Prevent recurring accidents NATMI © 2018

Areas to Investigate The driver The trip The environment The vehicles NATMI © 2018

Investigation Process 1. 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 NATMI © 2018

Costs of an Accident NATMI © 2018

Accident Prevention Review all aspects of your operation: Personnel policies Drug and alcohol misuse prevention programs Compliance Training Driver observation Awards program NATMI © 2018

Driver Screening Interview procedures Applicant qualifications Previous employment inquiries Prior driving record Medically qualified NATMI © 2018

Avoiding Alcohol Misuse and Drug Use Make inquiries Prior employers Driving records Develop written policies Provide training Supervisors Drivers Management NATMI © 2018

Hours of Service Compliance Log book audits Hours of service violations Falsification Disciplinary policy for violations NATMI © 2018

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 NATMI © 2018

Driver Observation Techniques Unannounced “ride along” Public observations (Fleetsafe) Independent carriers’ observations Company drivers’ observations NATMI © 2018

Safe Driver Incentives Recognition of safe drivers Company Safe Driving Championships State Safe Driving Championships Evaluation of driver performance NATMI © 2018

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 NATMI © 2018

Awards Program Components Essential components: Accident Review Board Formal award presentation program Internal and external publicity NATMI © 2018

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 NATMI © 2018

Mile/Time Equivalents You 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 NATMI © 2018

Questions NATMI © 2018