"If they're a high risk, maybe I want them working for my competitors," he said.
Mirmiran's firm enforces a code with its own strict provisions. It requires employees to notify their supervisor of any serious traffic charges, including speeding tickets for going more than 15 mph over the limit, within 24 hours. The policy applies to violations committed in personal vehicles as well as company cars. Employees who get tickets can lose the use of company vehicles or be required to take driver improvement classes.
"All we're trying to do is save our people's lives," Mirmiran said. But, noting that his company is 60 percent employee-owned, he added that "this is also good from a profitability standpoint."
Mirmiran said he expects to announce a roster of employers who have agreed to adopt such codes at the foundation's January meeting. He said he is confident the foundation will meet its goal.
He said the policies need to be pushed by corporate chief executives and the heads of governments rather than subordinates.
"This needs to start at the top," he said.
VEHICLE POLICY
Highway engineering firm Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson has adopted this policy for employees using its vehicles:
* They must pull off the road before using a hand-held cell phone or text-messaging device.
* They must wear seat belts at all times when in company vehicles.
* Tickets for reckless driving, speeding more than 15 mph above the limit and drunken driving must be reported to the company within 24 hours.
* Employees involved in crashes involving bodily injury or damage above $2,500 must take drug and alcohol tests.
* Accidents in a company vehicle will be reviewed by a panel that examines the circumstances, evaluates whether it was preventable and recommends corrective action or disciplinary measures.
