April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to confront problematic driving actions and the policies and practices to combat them. After all, your business may be financially liable for accidents, whether the vehicle is owned or leased by the company or it belongs to the employee driving on company business. In addition to distracted driving, there’s drowsy driving, poor driving habits, and mechanical issues. (This is an update from an earlier blog.)
Distracted driving
The CDC reports that 9 people are killed each day in the U.S. because of distracted driving. The 3 main types of distracted driving are:
- Visual: taking your eyes off the road
- Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: taking your mind off driving
Any of these distractions can result from texting, talking on a cell phone, eating, and using GPS. Did you know that “talking on a phone while driving has about the same reaction time and judgment impairment as the 0.08 blood alcohol legal limit”?
What to do. Be sure your driving policy bans employees from using their cell phones while driving. Should they do so and be involved in an accident, you could be exposed to considerably liability; your insurer may not pay. Also address the self-driving features of vehicles, which can lead to distracted driving. It’s been reported that “over half [of drivers with this technology] admitted to engaging in distracting behaviors while operating their vehicle’s self-driving feature.” The technology may be a help, but is no substitute for paying attention to the road.
Drowsy driving
Drowsy driving is a another problem that employers should be aware of. According to research released in March 2024 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 19% of drivers admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel in the previous 30 days. And drowsiness is a factor in 21% of fatal accidents.
Employees may become drowsy because they simply don’t get enough sleep. Shift workers, commercial drivers, and business travelers are particularly vulnerable due to long, odd hours. Another reason for drowsiness may be medications that an employee is on.
What to do: Simply asking employees if they’re tired before driving on company business isn’t a solution. A better idea is to educate them about the signs of drowsy driving so they can find solutions (e.g., find other means of transportation; pull over for a nap). The common warning signs include:
- Frequent yawning or blinking
- Difficulty remembering the last few miles of driving
- Missing an exit
- Drifting into other lanes
- Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road.
Find more tips about preventing drowsy driving from the National Sleep Foundation.
Poor driving habits
Unfortunately, some drivers don’t follow the rules when it comes to driving. They don’t:
- Obey the speed limits or other traffic rules
- Wear seatbelts
And they may drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs (including marijuana). While marijuana use may be legal in a state, consider the effect on driving. FYI: Under DOT regulations, employees in DOT-related industries in safety-sensitive positions (e.g., drivers) may not use marijuana and must undergo regular drug testing despite changes in state laws.
What to do: As part of your company’s driving policy, be sure to reiterate some basics for the company and employees:
- Obey traffic laws, making allowances for weather and traffic conditions
- Wear seatbelts
- Do not drive when impaired by medication, alcohol, or drugs
- Report any mechanical difficulties in a company vehicle (e.g., low tire pressure)
- Maintain a valid driver’s license
- Following up on vehicle recalls
Final thought
Many years ago, I saw a bumper sticker saying “Arrive alive.” I never forgot it. Another slogan I saw recently with respect to driving was “Better late than never.” Whatever an employer can to do ensure the safety of their employees who are engaged in driving for the company can produce meaningful results.
