Do you know that in simply the time it takes to enter an deal with right into a navigation app, a car touring at 25 mph can cowl the size of 4 soccer fields?

Navigation programs are simply one of many quite a few causes of distracted driving. From cell telephones to in-vehicle applied sciences, distractions like texting, calls, and even hands-free gadgets can divert a driver’s consideration, posing important dangers on the highway.

Social media provides one other layer of distraction, with platforms like Fb, Instagram, and Snapchat tempting drivers to interact even whereas behind the wheel. Shockingly, research reveal that as much as seven in 10 individuals use their smartphones whereas driving, and 4 in 10 have interaction with social media whereas on the highway. Some even consider they will safely shoot movies and take selfies whereas driving.

With as many as one in three U.S. adults admitting to utilizing expertise whereas driving, the prevalence of distracted driving is alarming, and lots of of those drivers are probably amongst your staff.

Does your organization have a sturdy distracted driving coverage in place? If not, listed below are 5 compelling causes to contemplate implementing one.

#1: Distracted Driving Kills.

“Distracted driving” is outlined as driving whereas doing one other exercise that takes your eyes off the highway, your arms off the wheel, or your thoughts off driving.

In 2015, 391,000 individuals have been injured in motorcar crashes involving a distracted driver, and three,477 individuals have been killed. In keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, every day within the U.S., roughly 9 persons are killed and greater than 1,000 injured in crashes which might be reported to contain a distracted driver.

By establishing, implementing, and imposing a distracted driving coverage, you’ll be able to enhance the security of your staff, in addition to others on the highway.

 #2: Distracted Driving Is Unlawful.

Know the legal guidelines in your state. Distracted driving isn’t simply harmful — it’s unlawful. Most states have distracted driving legal guidelines on the books, they usually’re punishable by substantial fines and even jail time, relying on the severity of the offense.

In some states, it’s unlawful to make use of a cellphone whereas behind the wheel — even when it’s hands-free. Texting whereas driving is unlawful in most states, and there are legal guidelines prohibiting writing and studying texts, e-mails, and immediate messages whereas on the highway. Many states additionally prohibit drivers beneath a sure age from utilizing any handheld system whereas driving.

The Federal Motor Service Security Administration (FMCSA) prohibits all business drivers from utilizing hand-held cell gadgets.

#3: Distracting Driving Can Value Your Firm Huge Bucks.

The reality is, when your drivers are responsible of distracted driving, they’re opening your organization as much as main liabilities. When an worker is on firm time or driving an organization car, it’s the corporate that’s in the end accountable.

In keeping with the Community of Employers for Visitors Security (NETS), there have been 1,600 individuals killed in on-the-job crashes in the US in 2016. The price per incident to the mum or dad firm was greater than $671,000, along with the incalculable emotional prices. Some 239,000 individuals have been injured in on-the-job driving crashes, at an organization price of over $68,000 per incident. This price consists of the direct prices related to every incident, in addition to associated well being advantages and different legal responsibility prices.

As well as, 700,000 autos have been broken on the job in 2016, at a median price to firms of $24,000 per incident.

The underside line is that this: If an worker is concerned in a crash whereas driving an organization car and even whereas utilizing an organization cellphone, the employer is in the end accountable.

#4: Distracted Driving Is Unhealthy for Enterprise.

In case your drivers are distracted as a result of they’re dealing with enterprise or customer support calls from behind the wheel, they aren’t doing their greatest to symbolize your organization.

Not solely does it look unhealthy if an worker is driving an organization car whereas speaking on the cellphone — and even worse, standing beside an organization car concerned in a crash, holding up site visitors in a busy intersection — however when drivers are distracted, they aren’t giving the required consideration to their jobs.

That mentioned, be certain your managers and management aren’t a part of the issue. Make it a coverage that staff can’t name or textual content drivers after they’re out on the highway, and don’t enable drivers to simply accept calls or texts. As a substitute, contemplate a coverage of “no private electronics whereas behind the wheel,” and prohibit the usage of navigation programs to when the autos are in park.

#5: Distracted Driving Is a Unhealthy Driving Behavior.

By implementing a distracted driving coverage to your firm, you’re additionally serving to reinforce secure driving habits for workers after they aren’t on firm time.

The most effective coverage is for all drivers to regulate their mirrors, temperature, seats, radios, and navigation programs earlier than they put their autos within the drive. Drivers must also flip off cell telephones and put them out of attain to keep away from the urge to reply them or learn and reply to texts.

Make the hazards of distracted driving clear to your staff, in order that the subsequent time they get of their autos, they are going to have already got secure driving habits in place.

To be taught extra about the right way to implement a distracted driver coverage and enhance driver security to your fleet, contact our driver security coaching specialists right now.