When it comes to fleet safety, not all crashes are created equal—and not all are unavoidable. Understanding what’s preventable and what isn’t can mean the difference between a clean safety record and unnecessary liability.

With 94% of crashes linked to human error, fleets have an opportunity to reduce accidents, cut costs, and keep drivers safe with the right strategies in place.

What Is a Preventable vs. Non-Preventable Crash?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines non-preventable crashes as incidents where a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is struck by another vehicle or object under specific circumstances.

Examples of Non-Preventable Crashes:

• Being rear-ended while legally stopped
• Another driver making an illegal turn into your path
• A vehicle running a red light and colliding with a CMV
• A motorist driving under the influence
• Crashes caused by medical emergencies, animals, or infrastructure failure

For these cases, fleets can challenge the preventability status using the FMCSA’s DataQs portal, removing unfair penalties from their CSA scores.

But most crashes don’t fall into this category. They’re often caused by driver error, operational inefficiencies, or lack of safety measures—which means they can be prevented.

How Fleets Can Reduce Preventable Accidents

1. Hire & Train Smarter

• Pre-screen drivers. Motor vehicle record (MVR) checks and driver assessments help identify risk before it hits the road.
• Ongoing training matters. Defensive driving courses reinforce safe habits and better decision-making.

Our customers tell us that the cost of insuring vehicles and drivers is so high that the first question they ask job applicants is, "How’s your driving record?" If it’s not spotless, they give two options:

1. Take a defensive driving course, submit the completion certificate, and reapply.
2. Maintain a clean driving record for 3–4 years and try again.

The risks are simply too great to take shortcuts.

2. Set Clear Safety Policies

• Define speed limits, distracted driving rules, and fatigue policies.
• Outline consequences for preventable crashes, from remedial training to disciplinary actions.
• Make safety a core fleet value, not just a compliance requirement.

3. Address the “Triple Threat” of Preventable Crashes

• Speeding, distractions, and fatigue are leading causes of preventable accidents.
• Texting while driving takes your eyes off the road for five seconds—the length of a football field at 55 mph.
• Reducing speed just a few mph can dramatically lower crash severity.

4. Track Driver Trends & Adjust Training

• Use telematics and performance data to track risky behaviors.
• Identify high-risk drivers—20% of drivers often account for 80% of liability costs.
• Customize training based on common accident trends within the fleet.

5. Reinforce Defensive Driving Techniques

• Rear-end collisions are preventable—proper following distance matters.
• Train drivers to maintain a “one-second advantage”—an extra second of reaction time prevents most crashes.
• Encourage safe intersection behavior—most crashes occur due to misjudged right-of-way.

6. Get Leadership Involved

• Fleet safety starts at the top—managers must reinforce safe driving expectations.
• Balance realistic delivery schedules with safety policies to prevent drivers from feeling pressured into risky behavior.
• Use manager-led coaching to address driver risk before a crash happens.

The company must establish and enforce driving policies and procedures that apply equally to every driver—including the owner. Utilize available tools to coach drivers toward safer behavior, document course completion, and ensure uniform compliance across the organization.

7. Use Technology to Reduce Risk

• Telematics & AI-powered tools track braking, acceleration, cornering, and distractions.
• Dash cams provide indisputable evidence in accidents and help exonerate drivers in false claims.
• Equip vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for extra layers of safety.

Some companies ignore driving infractions, thinking that if they don’t know about them, they can’t be held accountable. In my experience, the opposite is true—companies that proactively monitor driving behavior with telematics are far better prepared when an incident occurs.

The Bottom Line: Prevention Saves Money and Lives

Collisions shouldn’t be considered inevitable—the right strategies, policies, and technology can prevent most crashes before they happen.

• Screen and train drivers proactively
• Set clear safety policies with real consequences
• Use technology to track behaviors & prevent risk
• Prioritize safety at every level of fleet operations

Fleets that focus on prevention over reaction will see fewer crashes, lower costs, and safer roads.

Want to strengthen your fleet safety strategy? Let’s talk.