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In the last three years, the number of accidents and abuses involving government vehicles has steadily risen.
This year alone, 12 percent of the vehicles assigned within the KMC were involved incidents.
This has cost KMC units a total of $206,000 this year and a grand total of $714,000 over the last three years just to put these valuable assets back in service.
Not every accident is preventable; however, the vast majority of accidents are.
This, coupled with abuses, is a major drain on your unit’s resources. What most users are not aware of is the owning or using unit is responsible for paying repairs of accident or abuse damaged assets. Units are not budgeted for accidents or abuses.
What does this mean? Quite simply, this means your unit will have to pay for these repairs out of its operating budget.
These unexpected expenditures can have a significant impact on how much money your unit will have to pay for normal operating expenses, office supplies and worse, quality of life projects.
Abuses are actions that cause or could cause damage to a vehicle that cannot be contributed to the normal fair wear and tear or accidents.
Failing to turn-in the vehicle for scheduled maintenance, failing to maintain fluid levels properly or intentionally damaging the vehicle are examples of abuse. This constitutes destruction of government property and should never occur. Abuses compromise the unit’s readiness as well as tarnish its reputation. It can also have financial consequences for those caught vandalizing the vehicles.
Additionally, for every vehicle in maintenance damaged by an accident or abuse means one less vehicle your shop has to complete its mission.
Furthermore, accidents and abuses create a backlog of work in vehicle maintenance, and in-turn, slow down the repair of assets requiring routine maintenance. Preventing accidents begin with you.
According to the director of traffic safety at the American Automobile Association, 25 to 50 percent of accidents are caused by driver distraction.
Safety is the key word. Think safe, act safe and drive safe to prevent accidents. Know the road conditions, pay attention to the other drivers you share the road with, use a spotter when backing up and, most importantly, know your limitations.
These simple actions can help reduce your chances of causing or being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
(Courtesy of the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron)
