defensive driving course statistics mean little to many small companies, who find the cost savings of defensive driving courses hard to quantify unless they suffer a vehicle accident. Many small companies have a bottom line deductible on auto insurance of up to $10,000, so for them, 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 highlighting a 60 percent reduction in accidents as justification for the program.

Many employees who drive a vehicle as part of their job responsibilities, regard driving a major concern for potential injury. One of the defensive driving statistics that support this fear is that 30 percent of traumatic fatalities occurred in vehicle crashes. Those companies that have introduced defensive driving classes report a significant drop in these numbers to about 10 percent in worker related deaths.

However, financial numbers are not the only aspect that companies should consider when looking at this issue. When a worker is injured performing a job for which they are not properly trained, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can find companies liable. For example, one issue arises when an employee is involved in an accident whilst on company business. If that employee has not 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 course statistics point to the older drivers as being the most in need of defensive driving education. However, whilst there may be many over 60’s involved in accidents, there are many more young drivers having accidents. Not only this, younger drivers also have the most citations for traffic violations such as failure to yield at signals, speeding, and failing to stop. Driver education allows young people to benefit from the experience a defensive driving class can offer, as well as better understanding the need to drive safely and consider their driving’s effect on others.

Insurance statistics show that with the average cost per claim between 1994 and 2004 increasing by 85 percent, the cost savings to insurance companies shows the effect of defensive driving course statistics. This reflects in lowered insurance premium costs for individuals as well as corporations. It has also found that drivers who operate their vehicles safely can reduce fuel use by as much as 30 percent.

So, there’s no getting around the fact that defensive driving course statistics demonstrate the benefits of participating in courses and increasing the experience and safety of all drivers.