10 Driving Safety Tips to Prevent Motor Vehicle Accidents

Protect Your Employees at Work and on the Road

Driving safety is the practice of reducing crash risk through safe driving behaviors, defensive driving techniques and awareness of road conditions.

Motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of work-related injuries and fatalities, and most of them are preventable. For employers, driving safety is an essential part of creating safer workplaces because many incidents happen when employees are behind the wheel. Even minor crashes can lead to costly claims, downtime, repairs and disruptions across an organization.

Strong driving safety programs help reduce risks and protect employees, whether they operate commercial vehicles, use personal cars for work or occasionally drive between job sites. The more awareness employers build into daily operations, the more confident and prepared drivers become.

FFVA Mutual’s Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Prevention Stand-Down reinforces these goals by promoting safe driving habits and offering resources employers can use to strengthen their programs.

Why Driver Safety Matters

Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,252 workers died in work-related roadway incidents in 2023, making it the single largest category of fatal occupational injuries. Beyond these tragedies, employers face significant financial impacts.

Even minor collisions can disrupt business operations. Low-speed crashes may still require medical attention, vehicle repairs or temporary reassignment of job duties, all of which contribute to higher operational costs.

Driving safety is about more than compliance or training. Safe driving practices — such as maintaining a safe following distance, obeying the speed limit and staying alert to changing road conditions — help employees make better decisions behind the wheel and reduce crash risk for everyone on the road, including motorists, pedestrians and vulnerable road users.

Common Causes of Workplace Motor Vehicle Crashes

Motor vehicle crashes can often be traced back to a small set of risky behaviors. Employers who understand these patterns are better equipped to address them and build targeted training into their driving safety programs.

Here are a few of the most common causes of motor vehicle crashes:

Distracted Driving

Visual, manual and cognitive distractions pull drivers away from the road. Texting is one of the most dangerous forms of distraction because it combines all three types. Eating, adjusting mirrors, reaching for items, talking to passengers or interacting with in-vehicle devices also divide attention.

Speeding

Driving above the posted speed limit reduces reaction time and increases the severity of crashes. Heavy traffic, changing speed zones and unfamiliar routes can make this even more dangerous for workers driving under time pressure.

Fatigue

Drowsy driving impairs judgment and slows reaction time. Long shifts, overnight routes or physically demanding work before getting behind the wheel significantly increase crash risk.

Impaired Driving

Prescription medications, alcohol or over-the-counter drugs can affect alertness and driving skills. Employees may underestimate how a medication affects them, especially during long routes.

Aggressive Driving

Tailgating, frequent lane changes and responding to traffic frustration increase the chance of accidents. These behaviors also put other road users at risk.

External Factors

Weather, work zones, heavy traffic, limited visibility and difficult road conditions can challenge even experienced drivers. Safe driving requires constant awareness and willingness to adjust behavior to maintain control.

10 Driving Safety Tips

To help prevent motor vehicle accidents in the workplace, here are our top ten driving safety tips:

1. Stay Focused Behind the Wheel

Avoid texting, emailing, adjusting devices or any activity that diverts your attention. Even a brief lapse in focus can lead to a car accident. Encourage employees to secure phones and set navigation before driving.

2. Buckle Up Every Time

Seat belts reduce the severity of injuries and save thousands of lives each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Make seat belt use a required part of your driver safety policy.

3. Follow the Speed Limit

Speeding increases crash severity and reduces the time drivers have to react to brake lights, pedestrians or sudden changes in traffic flow. Remind workers to adjust speed during heavy traffic, bad weather or unfamiliar routes.

4. Avoid Driving When Fatigued

Fatigue can impact decision-making in ways similar to impaired driving. Drivers should take breaks during long routes and avoid operating a motor vehicle if they feel tired, drowsy or unfocused.

5. Drive Only When Clear and Alert

Some medications cause drowsiness or slow reaction time. Employees should always check prescription labels or talk with their healthcare provider before driving. Supervisors can reinforce this guidance during safety meetings.

6. Plan Your Route and Stops Ahead of Time

Planning prevents rushed decisions and reduces distraction behind the wheel. When employees know navigation details, traffic patterns and rest stops, they are less likely to engage in unsafe driving practices.

7. Maintain a Safe Following Distance

Rear-end collisions are among the most common workplace motor vehicle crashes. Drivers should use a minimum three-second following distance and increase it in rain, fog or congested traffic. This safe distance allows ample time to react.

8. Adapt to Changing Road Conditions

Drivers should use caution when approaching work zones, changing lanes or traveling in poor weather. Slowing down, increasing distance and staying aware of pedestrians and road workers are key to safe driving.

9. Drive Defensively

Defensive driving skills help employees anticipate hazards and respond calmly to unexpected actions from other motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians. Employers can reinforce this behavior through defensive driving training or traffic school programs.

10. Maintain Your Vehicle

Routine maintenance reduces the chance of mechanical issues that could lead to crashes. Tire pressure, brake performance, steering wheel alignment and fluid levels all play a role in keeping a vehicle safe.

View and download a printable copy of this 10 Driving Safety Tips to Prevent Motor Vehicle Accidents page.

Loved these driving tips? Watch this video and share it with your team to help promote safer habits on the road.

Building a Driving Safety Program in the Workplace

Employers can reduce crash risk by building structured driving safety programs that combine policy, training and ongoing evaluation. Leadership support is essential to ensure employees understand expectations and feel empowered to follow safe driving practices.

A strong program includes:

• A written driver safety policy
• Regular safety meetings and toolbox talks
• Vehicle safety inspections
• Clear procedures for reporting incidents
• Access to training, including defensive driving courses
• Continuous review of driving data to identify trends

Addressing all employees who drive — including teen drivers, mature drivers and those who use personal vehicles for work — creates a more complete safety net.

Defensive Driving Training

Defensive driving courses help workers practice safer driving techniques, improve hazard recognition and build confidence on the road. These programs reinforce what employees learn through safety meetings and help reduce crash risk.

Work Zone and Roadway Awareness

Work zones include unique hazards such as lane shifts, uneven pavement, narrowing roadways and sudden stops. Drivers should prepare to slow down, increase following distance and watch for emergency vehicles or workers near the lane.

This awareness helps prevent accidents and protects all road users who share the roadway.

Driving Safety FAQs

What is driving safety?

Driving safety refers to the safe driving practices, defensive driving skills and awareness strategies that help reduce crash risks for all road users.

Why is driving safety important in the workplace?

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of workplace fatalities, and safe driving programs help reduce accidents, protect employees and lower operational disruptions.

What are the top causes of driving accidents?

The most common causes include distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, impaired driving and aggressive driving. Weather, traffic and road conditions also contribute.

How can employers improve driving safety?

Employers can provide defensive driving training, create written policies, hold safety meetings, reinforce safe driving tips and encourage reporting of unsafe conditions.

What are the key safe driving tips every employee should follow?

Stay focused, wear a seat belt, follow the speed limit, avoid fatigue, plan routes, maintain distance, adjust to conditions, drive defensively and keep vehicles maintained.

Creating Safer Roadways Together

Driving safety depends on informed decisions and consistent safe driving habits. When employers provide training, clear expectations and ongoing support, they help reduce crash risks for everyone on the road.

FFVA Mutual offers tools and resources to strengthen your safety program, including no-cost defensive driving courses for policyholders and guidance from our Safety Solutionists.

Take the next step toward safer roadways. Join the Motor Vehicle Safety Stand-Down today!