FORT WAYNE, IN - Allen County has organized a new panel designed to promote road safety and reduce cost, according to The News-Sentinel.

County Human Resources Attorney and Risk Management Director Cathy Serrano helped organize a nine-member quarterly accident review board that met for the first time last month. "We don't want to embarrass employees, but we do want to know who's at fault, and whether there are any patterns (of reckless driving)."

With about 400 vehicles owned by the county, the county's insurance paid 43 claims last year totaling $244,263, and Serrano is convinced safer driving habits will ultimately reduce the county's premiums, currently averaging about $800 per vehicle.

In all accidents in which damages total between $1,500 and $2,000, or where the review committee considers it appropriate, the Gazette said employees will be required to complete a basic driving safety course within 30 days. Drivers at fault for accidents involving damage of between $2,000 and $10,000, or at the committee's discretion, will be required to complete a defensive driving course, and could have their ability to use a county vehicle suspended should they fail the exam.

In accidents involving more than $10,000 in damage, personal injury or fatality, the use of county-owned vehicles will be suspended pending a review. The employee must also complete the online defensive driving program and pass the exam. Failure to comply or pass could result in the loss of driving privileges which, depending on the job, could result in termination. Since Serrano's arrival in 2006, two employees have been fired for losing access to county-owned vehicles, she told the Gazette..

Of the 400 vehicles owned by the county, Serrano's committee does not oversee the 230 operated by the Sheriff's Department, which has its own quarterly review board. Her committee will adopt the results of the Sheriff's board to avoid redundancy, reported the Gazette.