Distracted Driving Awareness

Gary Smith for AAM BlogWRITTEN BY GARY SMITH, APARTMENT BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORKERS COMPENSATION SELF INSURED FUND

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

 

  • Texting
  • Using a cell phone or smartphone
  • Eating and drinking
  • Talking to passengers
  • Grooming
  • Reading, including maps
  • Using a navigation system
  • Watching a video
  • Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

 

But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

What are the effects of distracted driving?
In 2013, a total of 3,154 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. This represents a 6.7 percent decrease in the number of fatalities recorded in 2012. Unfortunately, approximately 424,000 people were injured, which is an increase from the 421,000 people who were injured in 2012.

Engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times according to Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI).

Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded. (2009, VTTI)

Headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use. (VTTI)

What can employers do to minimize distracted driving?
Employers should implement a distracted driving policy. Having a policy in place doesn’t just make good safety sense – it makes good business sense. Put your employees’ safety first with these steps:

• Drive Safely Work Week Toolkit – The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) offers a free toolkit with information on how businesses can raise awareness about traffic safety issues and discourage distracted driving among employees.

• Enact a company policy on distracted driving – Download a sample policy (http://www.distraction.gov/downloads/docs/sample-employer-policy.doc), customize it to your organization’s needs, and let your employees know that you support distraction-free driving. Hang up posters in the office to remind employees that “One Text or Call Could Wreck It All.”

• Encourage employees to take, and share, the pledge – Distracted driving doesn’t become less dangerous when the work day is over. Distribute pledge forms (http://www.distraction.gov/downloads/docs/pledge-form.doc) to your employees and urge them to share it with their friends and family.

Lastly, are there any State of Michigan laws to deal with distracted driving?Yes, Michigan distracted driving laws include:

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

• In Michigan, teens with probationary licenses whose cell phone usage contributes to a traffic crash or ticket may not use a cell phone while driving

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)

Counteract the effects of distracted driving in your workplace by raising awareness! Stay safe and stay focused!

For additional assistance with creating distraction driving awareness, please contact Gary Smith, CRM, at (517) 338-3367 or Gary.Smith@cmi-yorkrsg.com.

References:
Distraction.gov (www.distraction.gov)
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (www.vtti.vt.edu)
The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (trafficsafety.org)

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