It’s understandable why a driver would want to remove a vehicle’s floor mats on occasion to give them a thorough cleaning, especially this time of year when shoes can be covered in mud and dirty snow. But all drivers need to make sure the driver’s floor mat is properly reinstalled after it’s been removed for cleaning or any other reason.

That’s because an improperly installed floor mat has the potential to interfere with the operation of the accelerator or brake pedal, increasing the risk of a crash. Here are some tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration you can share with fleet drivers as a friendly reminder:

• Remove old floor mats before installing new mats. Never stack mats.

• Use mats that are the correct size and fit for your vehicle.

• Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mat installation. Use available retention clips to secure the mat and prevent it from sliding forward.

• Every time the mats are removed for any reason, verify that the driver’s mat is reinstalled correctly.

To view a video demonstration of how floor mats are installed in a Toyota Camry using retention clips, watch the video above.