Opinion: San Diego City Hall must do a far better job of avoiding costly city worker auto accidents [The San Diego Union-Tribune]

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It's startling that a new report by San Diego City Auditor Andy Hanau found city employees were responsible for 1,458 preventable vehicle accidents over a recent five-year period — nearly 300 a year — and that the city paid $31.2 million, with a mix of liability insurance and city tax dollars, to settle related claims. But it's stunning that the audit shows the city doesn't take basic steps to promote safer driving, such as having supervisors review driving data, including on vehicle speed and seat belt usage, and ensuring that all new employees are familiar with the city's 11 driving-related policies.

Hanau issued four recommendations for improving city practices. Chief Operating Officer Eric Dargan backed two of the four but said the city had different ideas about how to more systematically review employees' driving safety data, the focus of the other two proposals. At least Mayor Todd Gloria's administration is acknowledging the city must do a broadly better job of keeping its employees and the public safe when city vehicles are being used.

Given that the audit provides potent ammunition to those suing the city over accidents and seeking big bucks, policy changes should come quickly.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

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