Curbing Distracted Driving Starts with a Commitment to Education and Enforcement
This post is part of a series sponsored by IAT.
Only 2.5% of people can effectively multitask even in the best conditions.[1] That’s not great odds if you’re multi-tasking behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.
When multi-taskers get behind the wheel, the ramifications can become deadly. Nine people in the United States are killed every day because of distracted driving[2].
Anything that takes time and attention away from the road contributes to distracted driving, including texting, eating and emailing. A multi-faceted approach to end this practice requires enforcement and commitment from all drivers — individuals to commercial fleet carriers.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict policies in place regarding mobile phone usage, including civil penalties for drivers up to $2,750 and driver disqualification for multiple offenses. They also fine employers up to $11,000 if they knowingly allow or require drivers to use hand-held devices while driving.[3] But, it hasn’t made an impact on the overall numbers.
Instead, reversing the distracted driving epidemic requires a real cultural change agent, like what the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) initiative did for drunk driving. What began with one mother on a mission has effectively reduced drunk driving deaths by 50% since 1980.[4]
Fleet carriers must get involved with sharing the risks of distracted driving to help save lives on the road. Creating internal policies and practices is a critical first step. When doing so, businesses have two options: to prohibit, or to strongly discourage distracted driving.
The future of your fleet relies on drivers remaining focused and safe on the roads. If the unthinkable happens and there is a crash, you must have a defensible policy in place.
Here are four ways to protect your business from claims and keep your drivers from being distracted:
Taking steps to prevent distracted driving shows your commitment to keeping everyone safe on the road safe. Committing to enforcement is key to reduce liability and ensure drivers are focusing on safety daily.
Contact IAT for more information on how to create a program to prevent distracted driving and reduce risk.
[1] The Science Times “Science Shows Multitasking Doesn’t Work,” July 2020.
[2] U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “Traffic Safety Facts Research Note: Distracted Driving 2019,” April 2021.
[3] FMCSA, “Distracted driving.”
[5] FleetOwner “Post-pandemic distracted driving a surging concern, survey shows,” April 2022.
[6] Chaudhary, N.K., Casanova-Powell, T.D., Cosgrove, L., Reagan, I., & Williams, A. (2012). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Evaluation of NHTSA Distracted Driving Demonstration Projects in Connecticut and New York pdf iconexternal icon(DOT HS 811 635). U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC.