According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 18 percent of fatal distracted driving accidents are caused by cell phone use.

And it’s not just teens and young adults that are distracted by cell phones. The majority of drivers responsible for fatal accidents due to cell phone distraction were in the 30 to 39-year-old age range.

Researchers across the country have found that response times and attentiveness while using a mobile device are as low as those of drunk drivers.

In fact, because of the dramatically increased risk of injury and death that comes with texting while driving, OSHA has stated that companies’ legal obligation to create and maintain a safe and healthful workplace includes having a clear and enforced policy against the hazard of texting while driving.

Cell Phone Safety While Driving

• DO follow all state and local regulations regarding cell phone use while driving. It is your responsibility to know the laws. In Wisconsin, it's illegal to text while driving.
• DO use a hands-free device at all times.
• DO let voicemail take calls if you cannot pick up the phone safely.
• DON’T surf the Web or use any other smart phone/PDA function that takes complete attention off the road.
• DON’T use any function of your wireless device in heavy traffic, severe weather or other hazardous conditions.

It is important to address the matter of distracted driving with employees that drive as a part of their job.Contact us and we can help you draft a safe driving policy for your company that includes guidelines on distractions and cell phone use.

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