Employers Can Be The Vehicle of Change for On-Duty Distracted Driving

Commentary:

The cost of motor vehicle crashes involving company vehicles is pricier for employers than you might think. According to a report by TrafficSafety.org, car crashes cost them over $47 billion, with employers on the hook for accidents that happen both on and off the job. But, how can this be prevented? Safety expert Carly Baez, Safety Manager II at Kitchell, shares with us the ways employers can influence better behind-the-wheel safety for drivers of company vehicles by limiting or discouraging distracted driving.

You can get more great information from Carly by checking out her episode on the Safety Justice League video podcast.

Abridged Thoughts:

So some of the solutions you can provide to implement changes to behavior to minimize and ultimately eliminate distracted driving caused by our cell phones. Small changes equal big impact, and that’s actually true. I think that a lot of us get really nervous that it’s going and and anxious that this is going to be a huge major change.

I’m going to have to do all these things and actually, you’re really not. So small changes equal big impact. What are some of the things you can do?

You can be a verbal passenger or an ambassador and allow others to be yours. Designate a passenger to navigate your phone while you’re driving. If you’re waiting for anything important, pre type it before you get in the car.

That way, all they have to do is copy and paste it and send it off and you’re done. You don’t have worry about telling them what to say. You don’t have to worry if they misspell anything.

And if you misspelled anything, whether it’s on you, it’s not on them and then also have a plan and be prepared. We prepare for all sorts of tasks in the workforce. Driving is a task.

Why are we not preparing ourselves for this? What’s in the trunk? Do we have hazard triangles?

Do you have a first aid kit to have a spare tire and a jack? And is it confirmed that spare tire is in proper working order? Is should we potentially need it?

Also, make sure that there are items in the cart that can help us as well. So if we are allowed to have, I mean, I can’t imagine that no one would allow you to not have beverages in the vehicle. But if your company policy states you can have food and beverage or your company policy states, you can only have a beverage, make sure that you have something handy and nearby and replace as if you need to use it at any time.

That’s easily accessible. That’s not going to cause you to lose sight of the road. Whether it’s just I have between the seat and the console, I’ve got, you know, a rag that I can easily just place down until I can pull over to the liquid isn’t rolling off in different directions.

Make sure that you understand that as you get in the car. Think about that plan. If I spill something, I’m going to pull over.

If if I’m eating, something explodes all over me. If your company policy allows for it, of course, that you remember, I’m going to have to deal with this. I need to pull over. Those are part of your inspection checklist.

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