March 28th, 2024 | Sterling

5 Reasons Your Organization Needs a Continuous Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Monitoring Program

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Driver risk management has recently become a critical business issue for many organizations, affecting budgets and profitability. The standard yearly motor vehicle record process is necessary, ensuring companies are operating compliantly according to regulations and that qualified drivers get behind the wheel. But pulling a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) only once a year leaves a big gap, exposing tough questions, including: 

• What happens when a driver gets a Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), or Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI, applicable in Colorado and New York), soon after you pull the annual report?
• What if another offense leads to the suspension of a license?
• What if one of your drivers is operating a vehicle with a suspended license, and you don’t know about it? 

In all these instances, companies will only discover an anomaly at the next yearly review, possibly months away. This can present real liabilities without having some kind of proactive measures to monitor real-time driver safety data. Most importantly, trust and confidence in your drivers and business can wane.

Continuous MVR monitoring enables companies to monitor their drivers in near real-time, reducing risk and increasing trust and safety. Here are five reasons why organizations should implement continuous MVR and license monitoring as part of their background check program.

1. Improve Bottom Line

According to a report prepared by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) and the Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crash injuries on and off the job cost employers more than $72.2 billion. Crashes can be attributed to a variety of driver behavioral issues, including distracted driving, driving under the influence, and speeding.

Sterling also spoke with SambaSafety’s Chief Product Officer Rich Lacey in a recent Sterling Live episode regarding the impact of unsafe drivers and the need for having continuous MVR monitoring as part of the driver background check program: “In a survey we conducted with our customer base, we found that it’s only 10% of drivers that are responsible for about 40% of the costs and the risks associated with it. Finding that 10% is absolutely critical, but it’s not easy to do.” -Rich Lacey

Watch the Sterling Live episode below.

By continuously monitoring MVRs, companies can address risky driving behavior early, protecting both their employees and their bottom line.

2. Maintain Compliance

DOT-regulated carriers are directly responsible for drivers’ actions. As a result, there is the possibility of negligent retention litigation if a driver causes an injury with a company vehicle. Keeping drivers’ records up to date can assist in identifying high-risk drivers. Most drivers are not likely to have a violation requiring the pulling of an MVR, but even the best drivers can commit a violation or worse, cause a serious accident resulting in a lawsuit.

Not knowing what violations are on a driver’s license may be deemed negligent entrustment. In other words, it is the act of entrusting a vehicle to a driver who, based on previous behavior, could use the vehicle to cause harm to others. And that’s why having continuous MVR monitoring to address these issues can keep businesses safe and compliant.

3. Behavioral Impact

Beyond the costs outlined above, any opportunity to identify a potentially risky driver from the road benefits the entire driving public.

Not only can an efficient continuous MVR and license monitoring program can help organizations keep roads safe, it can also be a powerful employee retention tool. Having the ability to actively monitor drivers can enable safety teams to intervene early and provide training opportunities. In the same Sterling Live episode with SambaSafety, Rich shared his thoughts on how MVR monitoring can impact driver retention: “Drivers want to learn more. They want to work for companies that care about them, that are teaching them skills, coaching them, making them better. If you train your drivers, you’re going to find it easier to retain your drivers.”

4. Efficiency and Risk Mitigation

Continuous MVR monitoring searches drivers’ records on an ongoing basis. As a result, it becomes much easier to quickly identify driver issues and proactively rectify them. When a ticket, accident, suspension, or revocation is found, a notification is received, and an updated MVR is provided for that driver.

What kind of results has Sterling seen from implementing a continuous MVR monitoring program? A large equipment rental company saw: 

• 22% reduction in violations
• 14% reduction in crashes
• 32% reduction in risk profile
• 9% reduction in claims against the company
• $50,000 in annual savings and administrative costs 

Remember, even a safe driver could receive a violation. This could escalate into a serious injury or worse, and the company could be held liable. A continuous MVR monitoring program not only helps organizations identify a potential risk, but also corrects it before it escalates.

5. Quick Decisions for Brand Protection

Continuous MVR monitoring provides organizations with the information needed to help make early strategic decisions, and more frequently. With swift turnaround time comes the advantage of flexibility to decide on the correct course of action. Companies have the time to choose corrective, disciplinary, or punitive action depending on the circumstance.

When it comes to brand reputation management, remaining alert to potential crises is important. Swift, preventive capabilities play a valuable role in protecting a company’s hard-earned brand reputation. With a continuous MVR monitoring program, companies are empowered to stay one step ahead.

Driving Forward

Remember, adopting a continuous MVR monitoring program isn’t just an option — it’s a strategic move that enhances safety, reduces liability, safeguards an organization’s reputation, and increases trust and confidence. By working with a background check partner that offers a broad selection of driver services for both non-regulated and regulated drivers, companies can continue keeping roads safe for everyone.

To learn more about our continuous MVR and license monitoring, click here.

Discover more on our transportation background check services here.

Sterling is not a law firm. This publication is for informational purposes only and nothing contained in it should be construed as legal advice. We expressly disclaim any warranty or responsibility for damages arising out this information. We encourage you to consult with legal counsel regarding your specific needs. We do not undertake any duty to update previously posted materials.