Claims - Addressing The Issues. SALTA Risk Mitigation Workshop April 1, 2009 Chicago, IL

Transcription

1 Claims - Addressing The Issues SALTA Risk Mitigation Workshop April 1, 2009 Chicago, IL

2 War Strategy & Battle Plan In war, opponents attempt to gain advantage through intelligence gathering and knowledge of enemy weaknesses Once known, weaknesses are exploited to gain advantage

3 Good News! We re half way to winning some battles Claims data tells us where our collective weaknesses are Implementing countermeasures to exploit these weaknesses can help turn the battle in our favor Translation save $$$!!!

4 Auto Liability Intelligence Directly from program claims data à

5 Auto Liability Intelligence Together, sideswipe/lane change incidents and Struck in Rear collisions account for approximately 38% of all AL claims 44% of all AL claim expenditures/reserves

6 Easiest First Struck in Rear collisions (aka rear-enders) good news is that they are very preventable and Avoidable!

7 Educating Drivers 1. What is following distance? 2. How is it measured? 3. Company policy and expectation

8 Following Distance The distance, in seconds, between the front of your vehicle and the rear of the vehicle in front of you Guidelines vary upon weather, roadway conditions and vehicle being operated

9 Following Distance Proper understanding and management of following distance increases margin for error (ability to compensate for your own mistakes as well as the mistakes of others). Safe following distance must be constantly evaluated based upon variables

10 Following Distance Why tailgating is bad Increases chance of collision (mostly REAR END!!!) because of: Reduced reaction time Reduced sight distance Increases chances of panic stops, which can cause load shifts and damage goods. Frightens/angers occupants of the vehicle ahead - bad PR for the company.

11 Following Distance Minimum following distances Passenger-type car/van 3 seconds Medium-sized truck (straight truck) 4 seconds Full-sized, Class 8 truck 4-5 seconds Larger vehicles may have different braking systems, take longer to stop and are more difficult to maneuver to evade a hazard

12 Timed Interval Method Pick a stationary marker ahead (shadow, tree, sign, etc.). Start counting seconds when the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead passes the marker. Count: one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, one thousand four. If your front bumper reaches the marker before you finish counting, your vehicle is too close. Back off.

13 Conditions Requiring Extra Time Interval Night driving - 1 second. Poor visibility (light rain, snow, fog) - at least 1 second. Heavy rain - at least 2 seconds. Excessive snow or ice on the road - at least 4 seconds.

14 Additional Education Should have policy regarding space management Communicate expectations as indicated and potential consequences for violation Policy should be clearly communicated and management should verify drivers understand policy

15 Monitoring Space Management Old Fashioned (still effective though) Shadow/anonymous observation Tell-all employees/spies

16 Monitoring Space Management Technology-based solutions are available and reliable; some other positive side effects also GPS ECMs AERs (Accident Event Recorders)

17 Monitoring Space Management ECM = Electronic Control Module Present on most modern (circa 1998) medium and heavy duty truck engines Main function to monitor engine/vehicle parameters and record data for diagnostics Different types of ECMs provide varying amounts of information

18 Monitoring Space Management ECMs cont d In some applications, also records crashrelated data and data related to operation of vehicle outside user defined parameters Speeding Hard braking Idling

19 Monitoring Space Management ECMs cont d The best for data Detroit Diesel, Mercedes, Caterpillar Software and cabling investment required; cost varies by manufacturer

20 Monitoring Space Management GPS (Global Positioning System) Provides real-time data on location of vehicle Software generally includes monitoring capabilities such as: Speed Idling

21 Monitoring Space Management GPS (cont d) More advanced systems Can monitor/record heavy braking (usually in conjunction with ECM) Can send alerts to designated personnel when user-defined parameter violated (speed, idling, hard braking, outside geo-fence)

22 Monitoring Space Management GPS (cont d) Requires investment in vehicle-based hardware and usually a monthly subscription Example Saucon TDS

23 Monitoring Space Management AERs (Accident Event Recorders) Vehicle mounted (windshield) camera with accelerometer Records to memory when g-threshold is reached (varying seconds recorded before and after trip point)

24 Monitoring Space Management AERs (cont d) Recording shows what the driver was seeing and doing Will trip during hard brakes Equivalent to a ride-along every time the vehicle is driven

25 Monitoring Space Management AERs (cont d) Very effective at changing driver behavior Investment in hardware and time to review clips is required Some companies have recurring monthly fee - they review clips and grade them for you

26 Monitoring Space Management AERs (cont d) Side benefits include maintenance cost improvements; company policy compliance Don t forget main function Accident event recorder let s you know where you stand in terms of liability Examples Rosco Vision; SmartDrive

27 Monitoring Space Management ROI vs. cost should be weighed Nobody says your whole fleet needs to be equipped! Great for new hires and problem drivers Identify your risks, proactively

28 Space Management Policy Must be enforced when violations occur Policy without enforcement = no policy or consequence Send the right signal this is serious business! this is YOUR money!

29 Weakness #2 Sideswipe/Lane Change Why do these incidents happen? Incorrect/non-use of mirrors Simply not using/checking Not adjusted correctly Blind spot awareness

30 Sideswipe/Lane Change Why do these incidents happen? Not communicating intentions (use of signals) Not driving in center of lane Unaware/not paying attention to tail swing Unnecessary/unwise passing

31 Prevention: Sideswipe/Lane Change Training! Training! Training!

32 Mirror Use/Adjustment Flat and convex mirror combinations should be used to minimize blind spots seeing is knowledge Flat mirror dimensions Recommended minimum area 72 sq. inches/mirror Convex Mirrors Recommended minimum size 4 X 6 inches or 5 inches diameter

33 Mirror Adjustment Other considerations for mirror location As far in front of driver eye position as possible Inside edge of mirror aligned along side (skin) of vehicle Convex mirrors mounted above and slightly in front of flat mirrors

34 Mirror Adjustment Other considerations for mirror adjustment Adjust seat first Establish mirror field of view with as little body movement as possible

35 Mirror Adjustment Flat Mirrors If necessary, move the am holding the mirror so that you have an unobstructed view of the entire mirror Rotate both flat mirrors horizontally until the inside edges pick up the rear corners of the vehicle body. This is just to permit you to see what is happening right next to the vehicle. Do not rotate them too far inward.

36 Mirror Adjustment Flat Mirrors Rotate the flat mirror vertically until the bottom 1/3 of the mirror shows the roadway. That is, the horizon is about 1/3 of the way from the bottom of the mirror. Rotate the flat mirror until the bottom 2/3 of the mirror shows the roadway. That is, horizon is about 1/3 of the way from the top of the mirror.

37 Left Side Mirror Sky Horizon Roadway Side of Coach Right Side Mirror Side of Coach Sky Horizon Roadway

38 Mirror Adjustment Convex Mirrors Rotate each convex mirror horizontally until the inside edge of its field of view picks up - overlaps with the outside edge of the flat mirror s filed of view. Tilt the left convex mirror vertically until a point 5 feet beyond the length of the truck can be seen in the top edge of the mirror. Tilt the right convex mirror vertically until the bottom edge of its field shows the roadway just at the door.

39 Mirror Adjustment Blind spot considerations Know where they are: One at the rear of the truck. It is possible that 3 or 4 small vehicles could be in this blind spot and you would not be able to see them. One at the right side. Cars in the right lane may not be visible to you, especially a small car up close to your door. One at the left side. Cars passing or holding position in the left lane may be hidden form your view. Use body movement to compensate especially when looking to the front.

40 Driver Considerations Signal in advance (Communicate) Checking mirrors frequently to see the big picture around the vehicle Use more frequent mirror checks while making a maneuver

41 Management Control Check mirror adjustment on way out/in to yard Shadow vehicles to check for signal use

42 Vehicle Location Drivers should be instructed (and evaluated upon) lane positioning Typical lane width = 12 Typical truck width = 8.5 Driving in center of lane allows for cushion from oncoming vehicle close to center line and parked vehicles on right side

43 Tail Swing Mostly a long, straight truck issue Physical demonstration and measurement can help drivers visualize better (parking lot exercise) Patience needed at double turn lanes which are narrow and turn is sharp

44 Passing Consider policy regarding passing on two-lane roadways Train Traffic conditions do not permit it It is a no passing zone Within or near an intersection At the crest of a hill On a curve

45 Other Worthy Claims Notes Larger vehicles = more claims Better training needed for these drivers, especially Tractor-Trailer drivers Experience is obviously not good enough!