Card #20
Review Safe Driving Practices
We all know that motor vehicle accidents cause injuries, property damage, and death. But when you drive on behalf of your nonprofit organization, you take on a new level of liability beyond that of personal driving. The costs involved in even a minor vehicle accident can be expensive for you and the organization.
The FACTS: What you need to KNOW
- Seat belts save lives and avoid expensive injuries. Studies show that injuries to unbelted victims cost over $14 billion per year in the US.
- Excessive speed is involved in a third of all fatal crashes.
- Impaired driving can be caused by alcohol, lack of sleep, or drugs, including prescription drugs.
- Distracted driving kills more than 3000 Americans each year. The five types of distractions include electronic devices, reaching for an object inside the vehicle, looking at an object or event outside the vehicle, eating, and applying cosmetics.
The Actions: What you need to DO
Always use your seat belt.
Don't drive if you are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Don't drive if you feel sleepy or are at risk of drifting off.
Put your phone away. Focus on your driving and avoid getting distracted. If you must take a phone call or text, find a safe place to pull over and stop the vehicle.
Maintain a safe following distance. This gives you time to react, no matter what happens in front of you. Adjust the distance between you and the car in front of you according to speed and road conditions.
Volunteer Safety Videos are under development and will be available in 2023.
Links, Resources & More
- Take a free safety course from Nonprofit Safety Hero.
- Use the free APPapp to help your organization create an Accident Prevention Program.
- Learn more about OSHA and WISHA laws that govern workplace safety for both volunteers and paid workers.
- View a complete list of volunteer safety topics from Volunter Safety Hero.