Defensive Driving Statistics Show Justification For Classes

For many companies the cost savings of defensive driving courses is hard to quantify unless one of their vehicles is involved in an accident. With many small companies having a deductible on auto insurance of up to $10,000, which comes straight off the bottom line, saving a single accident may pay the cost of a defensive driving course. Many fleet operators that track employee-involved accidents point to defensive driving statistics of up to a 60 percent reduction in accidents as justification for the program.

Most people consider driving a vehicle as part of their job responsibilities a major concern for possible injury. One of the defensive driving statistics that back this fear is the 30 percent of traumatic fatalities, as well as over 10,000 hours of lost time accidents occurred in vehicle crashes. With companies that have initiated defensive driving classes, that number has dropped significantly to about 10 percent in worker related deaths.

However, it is not just the financial numbers that companies should consider, as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can find companies liable when a worker is injured performing a job for which they are not properly trained. When an employee, on company business is involved in an accident without having been exposed to classes on defensive driving, statistics show the company may face a stiff fine by OSHA, even if the driver was not at fault for the accident.

Defensive Driving Not Limited To Older Drivers

Many believe that defensive driving statistics point to the older drivers as being the most in need of these classes. However, there may be many over the age of 60 involved in accidents, there are far more younger drivers having accidents and have the most citations for violations of traffic laws, such as failure to yield at signals or assured clear distance. They can not only benefit from the experience a defensive driving class can offer, they may also better understand the need to drive safely due to its effect on others.

With the average cost per claim between 1994 and 2004 increasing by 85 percent, the cost savings to insurance companies, reflected in premium costs shows the effect of defensive driving statistics on insurance costs for individuals as well as corporations. It has also found that drivers operating their vehicle in a safe manner can save as much as 30 percent on fuel use. There are many defensive driving statistics that show the benefits of participating in a course and helping to avoid a crash.