Tag Archives: Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving and It’s Implications in the Trucking Industry

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As we all know, distracted driving can include eating while driving, talking on your cellphone, putting on make-up, texting and even messing with the radio or music player. No matter what activity is being performed to distract a driver, these simple actions can have catastrophic effects for not just the guilty party but the public as well. This past April, a round table discussion was held in Houston, TX by the National Transportation Safety Board in order to specifically touch on and discuss distracted driving and how this can effect the trucking industry.

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Distracted Driving Remains A Deadly Epidemic

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Despite a 2011 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation prohibiting the use of handheld phones while driving for bus and truck drivers, distracted driving is still a deadly epidemic on our roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as many as 660,000 automobile drivers are using a cell phone or manipulating an electronic device during daylight hours.

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What does this risk factor amount to? Here are a few statistics from the CDC:

  In 2011, more than 3,300 people were killed in distracted driving related crashes

  • In 2011, more than 387,000 people were injured in distracted driving related crashes
  • In 2010, nearly 1 in 5 crashes that resulted in injury involved distracted driving

    • With professional drivers facing fines of almost $3,000 per offense and even loss of their license for repeat offenses for the use of handheld phones while driving, the FMCSA is working hard to combat the deadly issue. Unfortunately these consequences are not significant enough for some drivers. Companies who employ drivers must take additional steps and efforts to help enforce the safety of their staff and others. So what can you do?

    • Create and enforce policies in your employee handbook to prohibit distracted driving

    • ·         Place phone numbers on your vehicles allowing other drivers to report distracted or poor driving behaviors

    • ·         Regularly communicate the dangers of distracted driving to your staff and provide safety tips to prevent it

    • Make safety a main priority for your organization
    • Recognize and reward drivers for safe behaviors and compliance with your safety rules, state, and federal regulations

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    Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.