Start the New Year Focused on Safety
Distracted driving results in hundreds of thousands of accidents/injuries annually many due to cell phone use.
While hands-free devices are often touted as a safer alternative to handheld phone use, they still pose a significant risk. Cognitive distractions still exist and divert attention away from the driving task leading again to increased risk.
Cell phone use is not the only distraction that should be avoided. There are also other distractions that should be considered and avoided such as eating, engaging with passengers, operating the entertainment systems and anything else that distracts your attention away from safe driving.
Awareness campaigns and policing have proven effective in reducing distracted driving incidents by educating drivers about the risks and consequences of their actions.
Distracted driving should be taken seriously by utilizing documented coaching and progressive disciplinary action for violators especially when they are combined with other actions such as Speed and Following Too Close which create a recipe for disaster.
All companies should have a written “Cell Phone” policy with signed receipt from all drivers and Distracted Driving should always be a continuous topic of discussion in periodic safety meetings and everyday operations.
Learn how to reduce risk and promote safer driving at 5StarSP.com.
Contact 5star Loss Control at: keith.mcdonagh@5starsp.com