The operation of motor vehicles involves a set of tasks so outwardly mundane that the average driver hardly devotes sufficient time to discern its associated risks. However, the dangers of automotive transport perpetually haunt most roadways, as accidents are frequent and the resulting fatalities are distressingly numerous. For businesses, motor vehicle operations are occasionally unavoidable, and, in some instances, they are the crux of business itself. Helpful guidance for these practices is addressed in ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024: Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations.
How Common Are Car Crashes?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are over 30,000 fatal car crashes annually in the United States alone. Being able to identify the causes of these accidents systematically and fortifying appropriate means to safeguard the drivers and the automobiles is crucial. ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024 examines this and many other issues in its risk management based approach.
What Is ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024?
Overall, the ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024 (formerly ANSI/ASSE Z15.1) document is purposed with providing organizations with a standard for the development of policies, procedures, and management processes to control risks associated with the operation of motor vehicles. In addition to background information, such as definitions, the standard specifies the significance of leadership in the overall motor vehicle safety program, as well as other responsibilities, emphasizing safety policies, orientation and training, communications, regulatory compliance management, recognition, and management program audits.
Furthermore, other risk management and safety considerations covered in ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024 are focused on the drivers, the vehicles, and, in the event of an incident, reporting and analysis. From driver selection and training to avoiding high risk driving behavior, many of these are relatively common conventions (e.g. wearing a seatbelt) and others are practiced in adherence to laws and other regulations (e.g. following the speed limit). However, some are issues often overlooked yet crucial to business motor vehicle practices and drivers in general.
An example of this would be the focus of Section 4.7 in ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024, titled “Fatigue Management”. Drowsy driving, as it is called by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a major problem in the United States, with some incidents resulting in jail sentences for the drivers. For commercial drivers and other individuals who drive for a living, there is a much higher likelihood of operating a motor vehicle under this effect. To mitigate the possibility of driver fatigue jeopardizing the safety of the driver and any other people on the road, the standard advises that, at a minimum, employees be empowered to stop and rest if they become too tired to drive safely.
Changes to ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024
ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024 replaces the previous edition of the same American National Standard for safe motor vehicle practices, ANSI/ASSE Z15.1-2017. The change from ASSE to ASSP in the title was the result of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) updating its name to the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) in 2018.
Some of the changes of note made to ANSI/ASSP Z15.1-2024 include:
- New Section 5.1.1, “Compliance with All Laws and Regulations Applicable to Driving Duties,” was added to 5.1, “Driver Qualifications.”
- Driver’s job description requirements were expanded to clarify the driving related responsibilities and expectations communicated to employees.
- New requirement was added for organizations to implement a process that evaluates the risk of new drivers as well as existing drivers. This moved and significantly expanded text from 5.1.3, “Background checks,” (now 5.1.4) to new Section 5.1.5, “Risk Evaluation.”
- Section 5.2, “Driver Management,” was expanded.
- Section 5.3, “Driver Training,” was significantly expanded to include types of training, training program documentation, orientation, regular defensive driving updates, annual refresher training, and remedial training.
- New Section 5.4, “Driver Performance Monitoring Technology,” was added.
- New Section 5.5, “Communication and Metrics,” was added.
- Appendix E was split into Appendix E1 and Appendix E2 to provide two sample distracted driving policies.
- Appendix H was retitled “Lagging, Leading, and Impact Metrics (Incident and Injury Rates and Methods of Calculation)” and significantly expanded, including new visuals and tables.
- Added new Appendices:
- Appendix L: Vehicle Incident Types
- Appendix M: Sample Onboard Camera Policy
- Appendix N: Sample Internal Review Committee (IRC) Policy & Procedure
- Appendix O: Driver Impairment
- Appendix P: Sample Pre-Operational Vehicle Inspection Checklists
ANSI/ASSE Z15.1-2024: Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations is available on the ANSI Webstore.