Cell Phone Driving: A National Danger

• 
  Being able to summon help without leaving their vehicles in the event of a breakdown, a flat tire, or running out of gas
• Avoiding the risk of being struck by oncoming traffic or accosted by strangers who may stop or approach when you are stuck on the side of the road
• Being able to summon police and emergency medical services immediately in the event of an accident or other incident
• Being able to report accidents or breakdowns they witness, serious traffic congestion, poor driving conditions, or even drunk drivers without leaving the vehicle
• Getting directions when lost without having to stop in an unfamiliar or threatening area

Whatever safety meeting you need, chances are you’ll find it prewritten and ready to use in BLR’s Safety Meetings Library on CD. Try it at no cost or risk. Here’s how.

It’s also true, however, that cell phones introduce new dangers to driving. Driving while texting, for example, creates the obvious danger of drivers taking their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel. Similarly, driving while talking on a handheld phone also takes their hands off the wheel.  Employees should also realize that driving with a headset is still dangerous because it still distracts the driver’s attention from the road.

Studies have shown that talking on the phone—regardless of what type—is dangerous because it takes the driver’s mind off his or her driving. This situation is called “inattention blindness,” and it’s more of a threat with phone conversations than with conversations with passengers because passengers provide a check with additional sets of eyes to point out road conditions if a driver misses them because of the distraction of the conversation.

Make your employees aware of exactly why it’s dangerous to drive while talking on a cell phone. Describe these hazards:

• 
  Failing to pay attention to the road while dialing
• Failing to respond quickly to changing traffic patterns while talking on the phone
• Wandering into another lane while conversing
• Speeding up or slowing down while talking on the phone
• Failing to control steering sufficiently while juggling a phone and the wheel
• Getting angry or excited by a phone conversation and allowing the heightened emotion to affect driving or turn into road rage
• Being startled by a ringing phone
• Swerving when reaching to answer the phone

There are ways to take advantage of the safety benefits of cell phones without risking the hazards of cell phone use while driving. Encourage your employees to follow these safe and responsible cell phone habits:

• 
  Follow the cell phone use motor vehicle laws of your state
• Limit cell phone use while driving to absolutely necessary calls
• Avoid using the phone while in stop-and-go traffic and other traffic patterns that pose the greatest hazards
• Maintain a safe speed while talking on the phone
• Make sure that steering is firmly under control while driving and talking on the phone
• Avoid calls while driving that provoke strong emotions or involve complicated matters that require focusing full attention on the call
• Postpone or end a phone conversation when driving conditions warrant
• Pull over to the side to make or take a call when driving conditions are such that it would be hazardous to drive and talk on the phone at the same time

We challenge you to NOT find a safety meeting you need, already prewritten, in BLR’s Safety Meetings Library. Take up our challenge at no cost or risk. Get the details.

Why It Matters

• According to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, approximately 175 million people in the United States use cell phones compared with 4.3 million people 15 years ago.
• Recent estimates suggest that cell phone users do over half of their cell phone time while driving.
• Many states have banned cell phone use while driving. For safety’s sake, employees need to know and follow their state’s laws.

More Articles on Training