Operate safe vehicles: Inspection, selection, reporting
This month’s road safety goal is to ensure your employees are driving vehicles that are fit for purpose, regularly inspected, and properly maintained. Choose one or more of the following activities to help you reach that goal, using the recommended resources.
The basics
These activities can help you focus on high-priority risks and basic compliance requirements.
- Require employees to do a quick walk-around inspection before every trip (check tires, lights, mirrors, wipers, and signals).
- Download, customize, and use our form to help record and track inspections: Basic Vehicle Inspection and Mileage Log Form
- Base your organization’s maintenance expectations on the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Educate drivers about their responsibilities when they use their own vehicle: Vehicle Inspection, Maintenance, and Selection Tool Kit
- Make sure every vehicle has an emergency kit: Vehicle Emergency Kit Checklist
Better steps
Build on the basics with activities that strengthen your road safety practices and results.
- Share our tip sheet and 6-minute video walking drivers through the steps needed to complete a vehicle safety inspection. Have them do an inspection while you’re watching to demonstrate their understanding: Conducting Vehicle Inspections Tip Sheet and Pre and Post Trip Vehicle Safety Inspection Video
- Establish vehicle selection criteria. Specify the type, condition, equipment, crash rating etc. that all work vehicles must have. Apply the criteria to employee-owned vehicles used for work: Using Employee-Owned Vehicles for Work Procedures Template
- Make sure employees know how to report vehicle defects or conditions that cause them to think a vehicle is not safe to operate.
Best practices
Take it further with activities that help you maintain strong performance and a lasting safety culture.
- Assess the effectiveness of your vehicle inspection and maintenance processes through spot checks and employee feedback.
- Require supervisors to periodically review inspection and maintenance reports for frequency, completeness, accuracy, etc. Make sure they follow up with constructive guidance when they identify opportunities to improve.
- Track common defects or issues reported by drivers. Use this data to adjust inspection schedules or prioritize maintenance.
How to add Planner activities to your calendar
You can download Road Safety Planner activities and links directly into your Outlook or other calendar. They will be entered in the first week of the month, regardless of when you download them.
- Download April 2026 topic only (ICS, 3 KB)
- Download all 2026 topics (ICS, 6 KB)
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