Vehicle Crashes

are the #1 cause of workplace death.

Distracted Driving has become a persistent danger on our roads.

 

50%

In fact, half of drivers feel pressure from employers to drive distracted according to an National Safety Council survey.   While staying productive is important, distracted driving should never be considered a business necessity.   Distracted driving isn’t just a danger to you, it puts everyone around you at risk, including other drivers, pedestrians, road workers and first responders. 

Follow these steps to avoid distractions and help keep you, your co-workers and everyone else near our roads safe.

• Set your phone to Do Not Disturb or silence your notifications.  

• Schedule calls for times when you will not be driving.

• Store your phone in the glove box to avoid distractions.

• Plan your workday with regular breaks when you can make calls and send texts or emails so you aren’t tempted to do so behind the wheel.

• Change your voicemail greeting to something like: “Hi, you’ve reached (insert name), I’m either away from my phone or I’m driving , please leave me a message.

• When necessary, let co-workers and clients know when you’ll be driving and when you’ll be available so they know when to expect to hear from you.

• If you are in a vehicle with a distracted driver, whether it’s a co-worker or a rideshare driver, speak up for your safety and say something.

• If you need to check your phone while driving, always pull over first.

• Program your GPS and start your music, podcast or audiobook while the vehicle is still parked.

 

Remember, hands-free devices don’t make you safer – while they allow for one more hand to be placed on the steering wheel - they do not reduce the distraction to your brain.   The message is a simple one, when you are behind the wheel, your only job is to drive.

 

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