Awareness surrounding the dangers of distracted driving, texting while driving, and road rage is increasing in the United States. Often, the most dangerous part of the day for an employee in the HVACR wholesale industry is the time spent behind the wheel of a vehicle. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of fatalities in the workplace — more than fires, explosions, falls, trips, and equipment incidents combined. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that commercial vehicles were involved in almost half of all fatal crashes in 2009.
In addition to endangering lives, vehicle crashes also cause considerable financial strain on companies. The average on-the-job crash costs an employer $16,500, crashes involving injuries average $73,750, and those with fatalities average more than $500,000, according to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS).