Accident Prevention and Basic Investigation

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

2. 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 DOT defines it
• Determine if an accident was preventable
• Compute company accident rates
• Determine when an on-the-scene investigation of an
accident is required
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3. 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
• Train managers and supervisors on how to handle the
initial call-in reports and notifications.
• Train managers and supervisors in on-scene commercial
vehicle accident investigation.
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4. What is an Accident?
An unintended event that
causes death, injury, or
property damage
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5. 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
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6. Incidents that are not Accidents
• Boarding and alighting from a stationary motor vehicle
• Loading and unloading of cargo
An occurrence is not an accident if it involves
only-
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. 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?
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11. 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?
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12. 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
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13. Calculating Accident Rates
Accident Rate = Accidents X 1,000,000
Mileage
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14. 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.
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15. Warning Devices –
Divided Highway
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16. Straightaway
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17. Approaching a Hilltop
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18. Approaching a Curve
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19. Beyond a Curve
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20. Over a Hill
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21. Accident Report Kit - Accident Notification Card
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22. Witness Cards
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23. Exoneration Card
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24. Accident Scene Description
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25. Company Investigation Form
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26. Accident Reporting Requirements
• Accident Register
• State requirements
• Company requirements
• Insurance requirements
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27. Post-Accident Alcohol and Drug
Testing
• All fatal accidents
• DOT Accidents for which CMV driver was cited
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28. Post-Accident Media Relations
• A plan
• A spokesperson
• Drivers decline to answer questions
Following an accident, it is important to have:
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29. When is Investigation 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
In which of the following accident situations is an on-the-scene company
response NOT necessary?
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30. Reasons to Investigate
• Prevent operational breakdowns
• Identify areas where training is deficient
• Identify ways to improve service
• Prepare for potential litigation
• Prevent recurring accidents
• Protect the company and its employees
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31. Areas to Investigate
• The driver
• The trip
• The environment
• The vehicles
• The load
• The customer
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32. 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
8. Communicate with all insurance carriers
involved
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33. Costs of an Accident
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34. Accident Prevention
Review all aspects of your operation:
• Personnel policies
• Drug and alcohol misuse prevention programs
• Compliance
• Training
• Driver observation
• Awards program
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35. Driver Screening
• Interview procedures
• Applicant qualifications
• Previous employment inquiries
• Prior driving record
• Medically qualified
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36. Avoiding Alcohol Misuse and Drug Use
• Make inquiries
• Prior employers
• Driving records
• Develop written policies
• Provide training
• Supervisors
• Drivers
• Management
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37. Hours of Service Compliance
• Log book audits
• Hours of service violations
• Falsification
• Disciplinary policy for violations
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38. 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
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39. Driver Observation Techniques
• Unannounced “ride along”
• Public observations (Fleetsafe)
• Independent carriers’ observations
• Company drivers’ observations
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40. Safe Driver Incentives
• Recognition of safe drivers
• Company Safe Driving Championships
• State Safe Driving Championships
• Evaluation of driver performance
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41. 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
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42. Awards Program Components
Essential components:
• Accident Review Board
• Formal award presentation program
• Internal and external publicity
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43. 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
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44. 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
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45. Questions
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