Tool Kit
Speeding Prevention
Speeding is one of the most common and preventable driving risks. It can have serious consequences for workers and employers alike. With a few simple steps, any organization can reduce the risk. Use and share our tips, conversation starters, and ready-to-use resources to set expectations for your drivers.
Speeding is costly and preventable
Speeding isn’t just exceeding the posted limit. It means driving too fast to stop safely, whether you’re on a dry highway or a wet, winding road. In fact, you can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions even if you’re under the posted limit.
Like other types of aggressive driving, speeding is preventable. Drivers choose to speed, often thinking that going faster will save them time. But the benefits are small while the risks are significant.
Speeding increases the severity of a crash and reduces the effectiveness of airbags, seat belts, and vehicle safety features. It lowers reaction time and increases stopping distance. It also makes it harder to control the vehicle, turning close calls into crashes.
The consequences can include injuries as well as speeding fines and penalty points of up to $483 in BC.
Several factors can lead drivers to speed. Understanding them can help employers address the reasons drivers take risks.
Research shows that drivers are more likely to speed or act aggressively when something lowers their usual hesitation or self-control. This can include any of the following:
- Overconfidence in their driving abilities. Some people believe speeding is safe under favourable conditions. They underestimate the risks associated with speeding when roads are dry and visibility is clear.
- Personal factors such as frustration, anger, stress, and running late.
- Environmental factors such as poor driving conditions or heavy traffic.
- Social factors such as anonymity. Drivers may feel that no one knows who they are and that they are unlikely to face consequences.
- Personality traits such as competitiveness, impulsiveness, and thrill-seeking.
If speeding by your drivers leads to a crash, your organization could face serious and costly consequences. These include potential legal liability, costs for vehicle repairs and replacements for injured workers, and increased insurance premiums.
Even if there’s no crash, speeding can still create issues for your bottom line. Your organization’s reputation could suffer if a vehicle with your logo is seen speeding. You’ll pay for higher fuel consumption and accelerated wear and tear on vehicle components such as brakes, tires, and engines.
Busting the myths about speeding
When it comes to tackling speeding in the workplace, some common excuses can get in the way. Here are a few of the most frequent ones, with explanations about why they don’t hold up.
You may see speeding as a personal choice rather than a workplace safety issue, especially if there haven’t been any crashes.
The reality: Trust is important but so is verification. Even safe drivers can speed under pressure. A simple anti-speeding policy or check-in process can reinforce your safety culture without undermining trust.
You may worry that focusing on speed reduction will impact efficiency or service levels.
The reality: Crashes, tickets, or vehicle wear caused by speeding can cost more in downtime and repairs than building in a bit of buffer time. Safer driving is more sustainable for your operations.
You may assume that “no news is good news.”
The reality: Many speeding-related risks go unnoticed until there’s a crash or a complaint. Proactive steps show due diligence and help prevent problems before they happen.
You may feel you have limited influence, especially when employees use personal vehicles or work independently.
The reality: Though you can’t be in the vehicle with employees, you can set clear expectations and provide training. Tailgate talks, trip planning, and check-ins are low-cost ways to address speeding and support safe habits. That creates a culture where safety is the norm, even when no one’s watching.
What can employers do to prevent speeding?
Preventing speeding is part of your legal duty to ensure worker safety. It also protects your operations and reputation. Even small actions can make a difference. Here are practical steps any organization can take, regardless of size or budget.
Start a conversation with drivers
Want to understand what leads your drivers to speed? Talk with them. The following questions can help you start a conversation about pressure, habits, and the factors that influence how they drive.
- How realistic are the time expectations when you drive? Do you have enough time for rest breaks or unexpected delays?
- What kinds of situations make you feel pressured or stressed while driving?
- What helps you stay calm and focused behind the wheel?
- How does your mood or mindset affect the way you drive?
- What would make it easier for you to stick to safe speeds during work trips?
In your safe driving policy and procedures, direct drivers to comply with the posted speed limit and other traffic laws. Require them to adjust their speed to match the road, traffic, and weather conditions.
Make sure drivers understand they are accountable for their actions. Specify the consequences for speeding tickets, including loss of eligibility to drive for you. Consider requiring drivers to report any speeding tickets or other traffic violations.
To help lay out your expectations, download our Safe Driving Policy and Procedures Template (Word) and edit it as needed.
State your expectations about speeding and other aggressive driving behaviours to all employees who drive on the job. Bring it up during the hiring process and performance reviews, and during ride alongs.
Provide clear messages about the dangers and consequences of speeding. Regular reminders can reinforce safe driving habits. Download and use our Preventing Aggressive Driving Tailgate Meeting Guide to get talking points.
Give your employees tips they can use to help protect themselves when encountering aggressive drivers. Use the ideas in our Putting the Brakes on Aggressive Driving webinar.
Schedules should be realistic and provide sufficient time to meet deadlines without having to speed. Allow for delays and rest breaks. Require drivers to complete a trip plan that factors in road and weather conditions that might affect travel time. Emphasize your commitment to safety over speed.
If you can, try to eliminate or reduce the driving employees have to do. Give them alternatives like video conferencing and phoning clients.
Prohibit the use of radar detectors in any vehicle used for work, including an employee’s personal vehicle. This helps discourage drivers from attempting to evade speed limits.
If you have a fleet, install in-vehicle monitoring systems to monitor speed and provide feedback to employees on their driving behaviour.
A campaign tailored to your workplace is more relatable and effective than relying on public ads. Have staff members lead it. Pick a month and have them plan activities around the speed prevention theme, from creating posters to hosting a safety talk to sending out email reminders. Consider offering an incentive such as a draw for a prize.
For a checklist of things you can do as an employer, review our Road Safety Planner’s Prevent Aggressive Driving activities. It provides a Basic/Better/Best list to choose from, depending on the resources you have available.
What can drivers do to prevent speeding?
Speeding is a choice that can result in severe consequences for you and others. The result could be long-term pain, permanent disability, or even the loss of your ability to work and enjoy everyday activities. Those who depend on you will feel a ripple effect.
Fortunately, you can make a safer choice. Here are a few things you can do to reduce the urge to speed.
Fines and penalty points can affect your insurance. You could lose income if you’re injured in a crash and have to go on short-term or long-term disability during a lengthy recovery period.
A crash can also deeply affect your personal life. Injuries may limit your ability to participate in family activities, fulfill household responsibilities, or maintain social connections. The emotional toll can strain relationships, leading to feelings of isolation or depression.
If you use your own vehicle for work, you could incur additional costs. Speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking can lower fuel economy significantly, driving up your costs. They also cause more wear on your tires, leading to more frequent replacement.
Planning takes a few minutes. Recovering from a crash can take months. Before driving, check your route on DriveBC.ca. Together with your supervisor, make a basic trip plan that adds a couple of minutes to the expected trip duration. Estimate the extra time based on how far you’re going, road and weather conditions, and what the traffic is like.
Recognize factors that influence your driving. Before you set out, check yourself and your emotions. Are you already feeling a little stressed, frustrated, or irritated? Are you unsure or uneasy about the road conditions ahead? Are you dreading the traffic? If the answer is yes, take steps to adjust your frame of mind.
Always be on the lookout for posted speed limit signs, especially when exiting high speed roads or when approaching a school zone or vehicles and crews working at the roadside. If you’re unsure, underestimate the limit until you see a sign. Review work zone driving laws.
Simply moving with the flow of traffic isn’t enough. It’s important to check your speedometer regularly to ensure you’re not over the limit. Get in the habit of doing it whenever you check your mirrors.
If you’re unsettled, take a few deep breaths. If you’re “hangry,” have a quick snack. If you’re worried that your load isn’t properly secured, take a few minutes to make sure that it is.
Remind yourself that no customer, appointment, or destination is worth compromising your safety. Consider pulling over until you can regain your calmness. Try counting to 10 and responding to situations on the road with patience and courtesy.
What you listen to could influence your speed. Consider a driving playlist or tune in to calming music.
For more tips, review our Driving for Work Tool Kit.