By Doug Smith, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Lutzie 43 Foundation
Part 2: The Real Cost of Employee Roadway Incidents: What Companies Don’t See
As we enter the second month of this year‑long challenge to Corporate America, it’s time to address an issue that’s often overlooked but deeply consequential: the true cost of employee roadway incidents.
Crashes involving employees are not only tragic on a human level—they are extraordinarily costly to organizations, financially and culturally. Because many incidents occur “off the clock” or away from company property, they’re too often treated as outside the company’s responsibility.
Here’s the truth:
If your employees drive, your company is already paying for roadway incidents—whether you see the bill or not. And those costs add up.
1) The Hidden Healthcare Costs No One Tracks
When an employee or family member is hurt in a crash, direct medical bills may be covered by private insurance—but employers still absorb significant downstream costs through:
- Higher health‑insurance premiums
- Stop‑loss claims for self‑insured plans
- Extended medical leave and accommodations
- Mental‑health support following traumatic events
These expenses quietly erode budgets year after year, and few organizations connect them back to preventable roadway crashes.
2) Insurance Costs—Beyond Auto Policies
A serious roadway incident can ripple across multiple lines of coverage:
- Workers’ compensation (when driving is part of the job)
- General liability exposure
- Fleet/commercial auto increases
- Health‑plan adjustments
- Short‑ and long‑term disability claims
Too often, companies focus only on commercial auto risk. In reality, commuting‑related incidents can affect more lines of insurance than many on‑the‑job events.
3) Absenteeism: The Silent Productivity Killer
After a crash:
- Employees may miss days, weeks, or months of work
- Family members become caregivers, driving additional absences
- Teams operate short‑staffed or with temporary coverage
This isn’t simply an HR issue—it directly affects operations, customer commitments, and revenue. For many employers, roadway‑related absenteeism is a major, unrecognized driver of lost productivity.
4) Productivity Loss That Extends Beyond One Person
Even when an employee returns, they may not be at full capacity. Trauma, grief, physical pain, transportation barriers, and administrative burdens all affect performance. The impact spreads: teammates worry, leaders reassign work, and projects slow. Roadway incidents disrupt far more than a spreadsheet can capture.
5) The Emotional Strain on Teams and Leaders
This is the cost we talk about least. A serious crash brings a heaviness to the workplace. Employees carry that weight home. Leaders carry the burden of what more could have been done. Colleagues rally around families and pick up extra work. In our conversations across the country with the Lutzie 43 Foundation, we hear these stories again and again. The emotional cost is real, lasting, and often invisible.
Why Bring This Forward in 2026?
Because these financial, cultural, and human costs are avoidable—and companies have far more influence over community safety than many realize. Roadway incidents are not “personal problems.” They are corporate, community, and national issues.
That’s why, in January, I challenged Corporate America to commit 0.5%–1% of annual revenue in 2026 to roadway‑safety organizations.
Not to replace current giving.
Not to diminish the essential work of the United Way, American Heart Association, Susan G. Komen, and other impactful organizations.
But to finally address the most dangerous daily activity your people engage in—the one silently driving so many of these hidden costs.
A Safer Workforce Is a Stronger Workforce
Strategic investment in roadway safety helps companies:
- Reduce total insurance and healthcare costs
- Improve employee well‑being and engagement
- Strengthen families and the communities where employees live, work, and play
- Build a visible culture of safety and care
- Lower turnover and protect productivity
- Demonstrate leadership that extends beyond company walls
The return on investment is real—and the impact can begin immediately.
Keep the Momentum Going
Corporate America—let 2026 be the year roadway safety becomes a core part of your philanthropic and social responsibility plans. Address the hidden costs head‑on. Protect your people. Strengthen your communities. Lead with purpose.
If your organization is ready for the next step—or wants help identifying high‑impact opportunities—I’d be honored to brief your leadership team and tailor options that align with your values and footprint.
Let’s make the roads safer for employees, families, and the communities we all call home.
NOTE: In case you missed Part 1: My Challenge to Corporate America: It’s Time to Make Roadway Safety Part of Your 2026 Philanthropic and Social Responsibility Plans — find it at the link.