Driving safely while in company vehicles does three obvious things:

  1. Keeps you safer, so you can work harder for the company, play harder for yourself, and live longer for your family and loved ones.
  2. Keeps others on the road safer, something of obvious moral value, but also something that reduces our company liabilities.
  3. Reduces company vehicle repair costs.
 

To improve our company driving, we have implemented this Driving Standards Policy.

 

Per the policy, each Sunday each company driver will receive a weekly "Driver Performance Report" — rather like a report card. This report card will grade each driver's safe driving habits as described below.

 

The grade is calculated by the system and will be used to recognize the quality driving habits of top-performing drivers. It can also provide feedback on areas of concern if driving standards are not being met.

 

A. POLICY OBJECTIVES

 

This policy aims to ensure safe, efficient, and responsible driving behaviors across our fleet. It will help to minimize risk and reduce vehicle wear and tear.

B. SCOPE

 

This policy applies to all employees operating company-owned vehicles.

C. POLICY GUIDELINES

1. PERFORMANCE METRICS

 

Driver performance will be monitored and evaluated based on the following:

    1. Hard Accelerations: Excessive or abrupt acceleration beyond safe thresholds.
    2. Hard Stops: Sudden braking that can cause undue wear on the vehicle and potential safety hazards.
    3. Hard Turns: Sharp or abrupt turns that may impact vehicle stability and safety.
    4. Speeding: Evaluated in four offense levels:
        • Light Level: Speeding offenses within 5-14 mph above the limit.
        • Moderate Level: Speeding offenses within 15-19 mph above the limit.
        • Heavy Level: Speeding offenses 20-24 mph above the limit.
        • Severe Level: Speeding offenses at 25 mph or more over the limit.
    5. Idle Time: Excessive or unnecessary idling beyond set limits.

2. GRADING STANDARD

  1. Each driver will receive a Four-Month Rolling Average Score calculated from monthly evaluations across all metrics.
  2. A passing score is set at 90% or above on a four-month rolling average. Drivers scoring below this threshold over a four-month rolling average will be considered underperforming.

3. EVALUATION PERIOD

    1. Underperforming drivers in the program will have two months to improve their average score to meet or exceed the 90% standard.
    2. Failure to achieve incremental improvement within this period will result in additional coaching, more frequent evaluations, or other corrective steps as outlined in the program.

4. SUPPORTIVE ACTION FOR UNDER PERFORMING DRIVERS

 

Drivers who fall below the 90% grading threshold in their four-month average will begin a program designed to improve driving habits:

  1. FIRST STEP (at the end of his or her first 90-day period of underperformance):
    DRIVING VIDEO TRAINING

    2. The driver must complete a training session by reviewing driving videos focused on safe acceleration, braking, speed management, and reducing idle time.

  2. SECOND STEP (at the end of his or her second 90-day period of underperformance):
    ONE-ON-ONE DRIVER TRAINING

    3. If the driver does not improve after the first step, they will attend a one-on-one coaching session with an assigned trainer to address performance gaps and establish actionable goals. The trainer is responsible to provide a written notice to HR that the session has been completed.

  3. THIRD STEP (at the end of his or her third 90-day period of underperformance):
    MEET WITH HR TO DEVELOP WRITTEN IMPROVEMENT PLAN

    4. If issues persist, the driver will meet with HR and their supervisor to create a formal written improvement plan with specific targets and a timeline for achieving compliance.

  4. Fourth Step (at the end of his or her fourth 90-day period of underperformance):
    REDUCTION of BONUS or POSSIBLE SUSPENSION of VEHICLE PRIVILEGES

    5. Failure to meet improvement targets after the third step will result in a reduction of any upcoming bonus.

     

    Alternatively, employees' vehicle privileges may be revoked, and if necessary, we can arrange for a company-provided driver.

     

    With the loss of their company vehicle, the driver may be (one of the following):

    1. Given an "auto allowance" to cover an average-sized car payment and insurance premium to compensate them for use of their private vehicle. The allowance is based on a mid-range family vehicle and NOT on the upscale GMC vehicles we issue employees. (In other words, it will likely be a downgrade in quality of vehicle.) The auto allowance will not cover vehicle maintenance or repairs.
    2. Reassigned to non-driving duties, or
    3. Placed on probation based on their improvement plan status.
5. REWARDS FOR TOP-PERFORMING DRIVERS:

  1. Top-two Performance Rewards: At the end of each quarter, the top two safe drivers in each mileage category will receive a reward, which may include incentives, gift cards, additional paid time off, or other benefits as recognition of their safe, efficient driving practices.

D. POLICY REVIEW:

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness in promoting safe, efficient driving behaviors and to ensure alignment with the company’s safety goals.

  • Introduction
  • OSHA