F E AT U R E Turning the Corner on Auto Claims
by: Jim Berriatua, Vice-President, Gallagher Global Construction Services
John was driving a company vehicle to to dramatically reduce accidents, thereby 2019 – the highest number in more than 30 a work site when he got a phone call. He reducing your company losses and years! glanced over at the screen to see who it insurance costs. The U.S. has the most dangerous roads was, just as Shawn was scurrying across in the industrialized world, with a vehicle the street, earbuds in, listening to the latest fatality rate 40% higher than Canada and The Main Culprit Grisham novel, trying to beat the solid red Australia. In 1993 the maximum speed limit Cell phones are a ubiquitous part of hand. Bad timing, distractions...we know in the U.S. was 65 mph. Today, 41 states our lives. Despite laws and fines for handwhat happens next. And it could happen to have speed limits above 70 mph, with held cell phone use in many states, the anyone. some states at 80 or 85 mph limits. increase in distracted driving shows that Distracted driving happens, and it is now Many companies have initiated driver these measures are not enough. Yes, there the # 1 cause of car accidents in the U.S. training, dash cams, and telematics are more than enough other distractions Speeding is # 2. As a business owner, with (documentation of driving habits) to help too numerous to mention, but the drastic vehicles on the road, how do you combat bring down their company accident rate. increase in accidents over the past few this growing trend? But while these systems may help, they’re years is due to increased cell phone use. So what’s your #1 Fleet Safety goal for not very effective in bringing down their A recent report predicted that 6,590 2020? accident rate. But...there are systems which pedestrians were killed on U.S. roads in do. • Protect Employees? • Protect the Company? MOST EFFECTIVE PROTECTION • Reduce Your Costs? Audio Alerts (CAS) Disable Texting 24/7 Suspended License Alerts How about all three? Collision-avoidance • Following too closely • Only when driving • Email or text alert technology combined with • Pedestrians/cyclists • Allows telephone calls (if • All states text-deterrent technology and needed) • Turns w/o signaling • Immediate notification Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) 24/7 notices (for suspended • Allows navigation and 911 • Lane creeping • Shows reason for suspension licenses) have been shown • Stops when vehicle stops
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