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Why Employers Should be Concerned about Impaired Driving
Employers have a vested interest in preventing the devastating consequences
of impaired driving for a range of reasons in addition to improving
the quality of life in the community in which they operate.
Each time an employee is involved in an impaired driving crash, businesses pay in the form of increased
absenteeism and use of health care benefits. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's
(NHTSA), the annual employer cost of
motor vehicle crashes in which at least one driver was alcohol-impaired is more
than $9 billion, including wage-risk premiums.
Furthermore, if the employee caused the crash or is arrested for impaired
driving even if a crash did not occur, administrative and legal procedures
such as court time and traffic school may require further time away
from work. And certainly no employer can deny the emotional difficulty
and decreased morale employees experience when a colleague suffers
from a severe injury or dies—two unfortunate, but not uncommon,
outcomes of mixing alcohol and driving.
Depending on the nature of their business, some employers may have
additional incentives to ensure their employers are educated about
the dangers of impaired driving because of potential legal vulnerabilities.
For example, employers whose businesses serve or sell alcohol may
be held liable if an individual consumes alcohol at their establishment
and subsequently causes a crash.
Employers who have employees who drive as part of their job—such
as couriers, delivery persons and sales representatives—may
also be subject to legal action if an employee who is driving impaired
causes a crash while conducting business. Furthermore, these employers
have to take into consideration the costs of insuring and maintaining
company vehicles, as well as the time managers spend taking care of
these procedures. When it comes to employer-sponsored impaired driving
prevention, the return on investment is considerable when compared
to the financial burden caused by just one crash, especially for small
businesses.
Regardless of the nature of their business, all employers run a risk
if they serve alcoholic beverages at office celebrations and other
company-sponsored events because they may be held liable if a person
causes a crash subsequent to consuming alcoholic beverages at such
an event. To protect themselves and their employees, employers can
send employees a safe and sober message about office
parties and drinking.
The good news is that employers have enormous power to protect their
businesses from the negative impact of impaired driving by educating
employees about its harmful effects and supporting efforts to prevent
it in their communities. By doing so, employers do more than just
safeguard their business assets—they contribute to the nationwide
campaign to eliminate a devastating and preventable crime and play
a part in making their communities safer for their friends and families
and those of their employees.
Back to Special Issues: Impaired Driving
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