Great West Casualty Company Blog

Apr 23, 2019 3:00:00 PM

Practical Drift: How Human Nature Causes Policy Failure

By Great West Casualty Company

Policies and procedures are necessary for high-hazard industries like trucking. They add structure and consistency to operations to ensure the highest quality product or service is being delivered. Unfortunately, a lack of oversight by senior management can cause the company’s policies and procedures to deteriorate over time and lead to a phenomenon known as practical drift.

Apr 16, 2019 3:00:00 PM

Managing Space Around Your Truck

By Great West Casualty Company

Managing the space around the truck is challenging. From driving in congested traffic to navigating a crowded parking lot, truck drivers must constantly track the hazards around them to prevent a collision. Read the information below and ask yourself how you can improve your driving style in any of the hazard categories.

Apr 9, 2019 3:00:00 PM

Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

By Great West Casualty Company

Slips, trips, and falls are leading causes of workplace injuries. No matter where you are, hazards may be present that put you at risk of losing traction and slipping, tripping over an object, or falling from an elevated position. Read the information below, and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to protect yourself from a slip, trip, or fall.

Apr 2, 2019 3:00:00 PM

It's Time to Discuss Spring Driving Hazards

By Great West Casualty Company

Winter is nearly in the rearview mirror, which means it is time to start thinking about spring and the unique driving hazards this season brings. The operations staff is crucial to preventing vehicle crashes by being proactive and discussing springtime hazards with drivers and recommending the Essential 7 Driving Techniques as a defense.

Mar 26, 2019 2:59:00 PM

Preventing Road Rage

By Great West Casualty Company

Road rage is a criminal offense that can result in jail time. Road rage occurs when one driver commits an act of violence against another road user, such as a motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian. An act of violence can include using your vehicle as a weapon, dueling another vehicle in a reckless chase, or getting out of your vehicle and brandishing a weapon with the intent to injure another driver. Rarely is road rage triggered by a single incident. Rather, it is usually the last straw in a long series of stressors. Read the information below to learn how to protect yourself from others with road rage or identify when road rage is an issue for you. If it is, read below for suggestions to help you better control your behavior.

Mar 19, 2019 2:59:00 PM

Is Accident Reporting Your Achilles Heel?

By Great West Casualty Company

There is a misguided belief by some motor carriers that delaying or failing to report claims to their insurers will work in their favor. On the contrary, it can have the opposite effect and cost a motor carrier more in the long run. Regardless of perceived fault, other parties involved in an incident have a legal right to assert a claim. For this reason, delaying or failing to notify your insurer of an incident can hinder its ability to proactively manage a claim and settle it in a fair and timely manner.

Mar 5, 2019 3:00:00 PM

Instilling a Culture That Embraces Fuel Economy

By Great West Casualty Company

Fuel costs have traditionally been the largest line-item expense for motor carriers. According to the American Transportation Research Institute (2017), “[Fuel costs] generally account for approximately 30 to 40 percent of a motor carrier’s cost per mile.”1 If fleet managers want to optimize their operations and reduce costs, they should focus on instilling a culture that embraces fuel economy.

Feb 26, 2019 3:00:00 PM

Promoting a Culture of Professionalism

By Great West Casualty Company

Professionalism in the workplace benefits you, your peers, and your employer. Exhibiting professionalism can bring you an inward sense of pride, self-respect, competence, and job satisfaction. Your peers will mirror your behavior in the way you treat others and approach your job, while your employer will view you as a reliable team player. Read the information below, and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to present yourself in a more professional manner.

Feb 19, 2019 3:00:00 PM

The Financial Impact of Losses

By Great West Casualty Company

Measuring the financial impact of a loss cannot be underestimated by motor carriers, especially those with narrow profit margins. Typically in the trucking industry, each motor carrier relies on the loss runs provided by the insurer to gauge the severity of claims, but these numbers do not paint a complete picture of the loss impact on operations or the company’s bottom line.

Feb 12, 2019 3:00:00 PM

Addressing Aggressive Driving

By Great West Casualty Company

Aggressive driving puts you and others at risk of serious injury or death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving occurs when an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses that endangers other persons or property. Speeding, tailgating, erratic lane changes, and failing to obey traffic signs are just a few unsafe driving behaviors that can escalate to road rage or cause a crash. Read the information below, and ask yourself how you can improve your driving style.

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