Stay Focused: Avoid Distracted Driving

In order to ensure employees’ well-being, an employer must always prioritize safety. This is especially true when it comes to driving. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents and injuries on the road, accounting for 8% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. As an employer, it’s crucial that you take steps to promote safe driving practices among your employees. With Distracted Driving Awareness Month just around the corner, now is the perfect time to focus on reinforcing the importance of safe driving.

Here’s what you can expect throughout April:

“Put the Phone Away or Pay “: This is a campaign by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) that will be held from April 10 through 14. The campaign reminds drivers of the the deadly and legal consequences of texting and driving.

But when it comes to your employees, how can you remind them of the significance of this issue and what they can do to prevent it? Read on to learn more.

The Dangerous Impact of Distracted Driving

The consequences of distracted driving can be severe and long-lasting. Motor vehicle crashes can be life-threatening and traumatic for everyone involved, whether there is a personal injury. Of course, the most significant risk of a collision is that it can result in serious injuries, disabilities or even fatalities. In fact, according to a National Safety Council (NSC) analysis of NHTSA data, it’s estimated that each year, an average of 3,308 preventable deaths occur due to driver distraction.

For employers, there are additional consequences to distracted driving. If one of your employees is involved in a distracted driving accident while on the job, your company could face a damaged reputation, legal liabilities and increased insurance premiums. Furthermore, if the employee is responsible for injuring others, your company may be held liable for the resulting damages.

Reinforcing Safe Driving Habits

As you’re aware, distracted driving is a major issue across the country. The statistics are concerning, but it’s not too late to make a difference. By raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and promoting safe driving habits, employers can help prevent needless injuries and deaths on our roads.

During Distracted Driving Awareness Month and throughout the year, it’s important to:

Support campaigns that promote road safety: Put up posters in your workplace, hold an event to raise awareness or provide employees with literature about the dangers of distracted driving. In addition, research local initiatives to see what’s going on in your area and motivate workers to get involved.

Discuss distracted driving in the workplace: Host a meeting to discuss the topic and share thoughts, ideas and suggestions for how your organization can help combat this issue. Not only does this foster a culture of safety and awareness, but it also gives workers an opportunity to take ownership of the problem and get involved in solutions.

Encourage others to share testimonies: Everyone knows distracted driving is dangerous, but sometimes it’s hard to fully grasp how much of an impact this behavior has on the lives of others. If you learn about an employee who has had first-hand experience dealing with the consequences of distracted driving, ask if they feel comfortable sharing their story so that others can understand the severity of the issue.

Set a good example:  If you’re the leader of an organization, it’s important that you set a good example by minimizing and not engaging in potential visual distractions yourself. Never check your phone while you’re on the road. Business can wait — it’s not worth risking lives.

Develop a distracted driving policy: If you haven’t already, work with your HR department to develop a clear, concise and consistent policy on distracted driving. This will help reinforce the message that distracted driving is not only dangerous but also unacceptable in the workplace.

Tips for Staying Focused on the Road

Without further ado, here are some tips you can share with your employees through posters, videos, or discussions about how to stay focused while driving:

1. Turn off your cell phone: 29 states have completely banned handheld cell phone use while driving, but if you’re in a state that doesn’t have this law, it’s still best to make it clear to employees that the use of cell phones while driving is prohibited.
2. Plan your route before leaving: Before leaving, drivers should plan their routes and avoid using a GPS or phone while driving. If they need directions, they should stop at a safe place to consult these devices.
3. Minimize other distractions in the car: Drivers should avoid eating or drinking while driving, as well as listening to loud music.
4. Take breaks if necessary: If drivers feel tired or stressed, they should take a break from driving and rest before continuing.
5. Encourage passengers to help: Passengers should not distract the driver, and they should be ready to take over in an emergency.

Stay Informed to Stay Safe: Here’s How FFVA Mutual Can Help

Ultimately, your employees are responsible for their own safety on the road. But by providing the necessary information, training and resources, you can minimize the chances of an accident and keep your drivers safe.

At FFVA Mutual, we’re committed to helping raise awareness and mitigate this critical issue, not only during Distracted Driving Awareness Month but all year round. By working together, we can keep our roads safer for everyone.

Remember, it only takes a moment of distraction to cause a serious accident. Check out some of our available resources below to stay informed and educated on the topic of distracted driving:

• Cell Phone Policy
• Short Talk
• Safe Driving Practices
• Trending Topic: Motor Vehicle Safety

View this distracted driving policy blog to learn ways on to implement and enforce an effective policy in your workplace.

And of course, if you need any additional support or guidance, get in touch with our team of Safety Solutionists or contact us for more information.