False Accusations: What’s a Man to Do to Avoid Them?

False Accusations: What’s a Man to Do to Avoid Them?

Recently, horrifying news swept the world wide web about a truck driver in the UK getting arrested after the police found 39 bodies inside the refrigerated truck he was driving. The man was charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to human trafficking, conspiracy to illegal immigration, and money laundering. A few other people were arrested in connection to the said crime, including the legal owner of the truck used to transport the bodies.

In light of this, how do you protect yourself from being used in illegal matters? And what are you going to do if you have been falsely accused? While this is a rare occurrence, everyday drivers and fleets receive accusations about all sorts of things like vehicle or property damage and stone damage to glass. Of course, you can always talk to a truck driver rights lawyer in Washington or New Jersey. There are plenty of good companies and firms established to protect fleets and drivers, but you should at least have an idea about such a situation.

The Usual Suspects

One of the biggest challenges fleet, safety managers, and operations face is getting blamed for accidents they were involved in. Although the numbers tell us that 80% of vehicular accidents involving trucks are caused by car drivers, truck drivers keep getting the blame as offenders. Sometimes, the accusations can be about texting while driving or not wearing any seatbelt. Other times the accusations can be outrageous so as a driver, you have to be prepared.

Prevent to Protect

A lot of fleets have safety programs and protocols in place for such instances. They have a safety culture that’s reinforced with these programs specifically for the drivers. These also include training, orientation, and even recognition and rewards to motivate and encourage drivers to stick to the protocols.

Dashcam

Video and dash cams have proven useful in minimizing the cost of expenses in investigating accidents onsite. The use of on-board video safety systems has prevented as much as 63,000 crashes, 17,700 injuries, and 290 deaths each year. These videos can also help look into drivers’ habits that lead to crashes and collisions, such as falling asleep behind the wheel, texting while driving, or distracted driving.

Here are some things to consider for your fleet’s and drivers’ protection: 

  • Take those accusations seriously. Take it at face value. Further investigations will reveal bad choices and judgment calls on the driver’s part. Make sure you have a system in place to record and respond to incidents like this. 
  • Utilize new technology. Technology keeps advancing and creating innovations for companies and drivers to use. Several great accident avoidance systems are out in the market to help you avoid any road mishap. Companies have also released accident recording gadgets and devices to help bring clarity to any accusation. Some insurance companies are willing to reduce premiums if you have these devices installed.
  • Keep your integrity intact. Protecting one’s reputation is a critical job skill one must possess.  Never cut corners or bend rules, no matter how tempting it may be. Even if your intentions are noble and good, cutting corners and jumping on short cuts can and will only end up in catastrophic results. Comply with the state’s safety guidelines and enforce the proper safety management procedures in your company.

Make sure to always keep your fleet and drivers’ protected. Follow proper protocol, comply with the demands of the law, and utilize technology when needed. You’ll thank yourself for doing these.

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