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Where Your Eyes and Mind Should Be

February 20th, 2012     Posted by under News


There is always a good amount of discussion on both sides of the issue of distracted driving and this week is no exception. If you haven’t seen these items in the news, or had the time to give them some thought, please take a couple of minutes to consider them now. They are important current events that affect distracted driving.

 

House Bill amendment that would limit DOT powers.

Every few years, the federal government’s surface transportation programs, including highway and inter-modal initiatives, must be reauthorized by
Congressional legislation, which sets the government’s priorities on transportation issues. Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate are taking up their respective surface transportation reauthorization bills this week.

The Senate bill contains a $39 million distracted driving grant program to provide incentive funding to states that adopt laws that prohibit all cell phone use by teen drivers and texting by drivers of all ages.

While the House bill does not contain a distracted driving incentive grant program for states, several members of Congress are offering amendments to the bill that address this issue. The most troubling of the amendments is an amendment by Rep. Robert Woodall that would severely undermine the role of the federal government in the fight against distracted driving.

Rep. Woodall’s amendment #30 would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation from regulating the use of cellular phones in vehicles.  This would mean that agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) could not set new distracted driving standards, thus we would lose a potential partner in the fight against distracted driving.

We have set up a very easy way for you to help bring this issue forward to your state’s Representative by clicking here to compose and send a letter asking them to stand against this amendment.  It will literally take 3 minutes of your time and very few clicks. Please do so and pass this link on to others you know.

 

NHTSA/DOT propose guidelines for auto makers

Exactly pertaining to the above issue, the DOT and NHTSA released a 180 page report just yesterday that proposes some guidelines for auto makers to help them decide the design of the newest craze in cars, suv’s and trucks: the built-in “infotainment systems” that allow the driver to do everything from placing a call to sending a text or email, and even updating their favorite social networking sites while driving.  This is troubling for two reasons.

First and foremost it appears that the DOT (which has been speaking out about distracted driving in all its forms visual, mechanical and cognitive) is now retreating from its position claiming that cognitive (or mental) distractions caused by mobile devices are not a serious threat. They base this position on the results of a few naturalistic studies done in passenger vehicles and large trucks that observed a small number of  crash and ‘near crash’ events. However, these studies completely negate the larger body of research done both in the lab and from investigating thousands of actual crashes which sets cognitive distractions/talking on a cell phone at four times the risk of driving alone (or almost 4 times higher than what’s noted in the naturalistic studies).  

Secondly, and more importantly to FocusDriven members, is the fact that this flies in the face of so many victim families whose loved ones were killed due to drivers whose minds were distracted by cell phone conversations as they looked straight ahead. The DOT video series, “Faces of Distraction,” have stories of families whose loved one(s) were killed by drivers affected by inattention blindness when they ran red lights or crossed center lines.

Comments are being sought  about these recommendations but the DOT seems to be giving the auto industry an approval and a blue print for installing more social networking applications, ticket buying apps, Internet searches and entertainment applications of all sorts – all of which have nothing to do with the operation of vehicles or keeping drivers focused on the task of driving safely.

To submit a comment about these recommendations (and to view the files) go to the regulations.gov page for this docket here, and press the “submit comment” button.

 

 

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Honor Chris Cooper – Drive Cell Free

December 13th, 2011     Posted by under Victim story

The following post was provided with permission from Kristin King. We share this story in the hope that it will inspire people to drive cell free. With the holiday season upon us and many of us taking to the roads to be with family and friends, now is the perfect time to make the personal commitment to drive cell free. Start your New Year’s Resolution early. Do it in memory of Chris and in honor of his wife Kristin and his little girl Colleen.

Chris Cooper died on Dec. 29, 2009. Chris, you are forever in our hearts and minds.

Originally posted on March 8, 2010 by Kristin King.

Honor Chris today – Pledge to never drive distracted again

Today is Chris’ birthday.  He would have been 35.  It would have been his first birthday that Colleen would actually remember.  It would have been a day filled with joy, laughter, and Chris’ infectious,  beaming smile. While every day is hard, today is especially heartbreaking.

I have not described the car accident that took his life in detail in these notes.  Today I am ready.  Today I want to tell you all about how you can honor Chris by helping to avoid the type of accident that caused two people to lose their lives on December 29, 2009.

On that day, Chris and I were driving from Corpus Christi to Dallas to be with his sister – who was in labor with her first baby.  We were having a great time in the car.  We were so happy about being able to be in Dallas for little Sophie’s birth.  Chris had just won his fantasy football league championship.  Colleen was safe at home in Corpus with my parents.  Our weekend could not have been any better.  We stopped for food in Seguin, and were continuing our trip on Highway 123 between Seguin and San Marcos.  I remember being in the car with Chris, talking about Colleen and our great weekend…laughing and joking like we always did.  The next thing I remember is hearing voices, and thinking to myself – “They are talking to me.  I need to wake up”.

I don’t remember anything about the accident, but the the officer who investigated our case was incredibly thorough. Here is what he found:

On that day, an 18 year old girl drove from Seguin to San Marcos to purchase a car – a 1990 Jeep Cherokee.  She was driving home, following a car with a few of her family members.  As she drove, she was using her iPhone.

On Highway 123, she got distracted by her phone, and didn’t anticipate a curve in the roadway.  She was in the right hand lane, and started to veer towards a guardrail on her right.  When she looked up from her iPhone, she overcorrected, and jerked her wheel to the left.  She crossed three lanes of traffic on the undivided highway at over 70 miles an hour and slammed directly into our car. There were no skid marks – she was too distracted to try to stop or avoid our car.

The officers found an active text message on her iPhone after the accident.  The police report officially states that she was “using her cell phone. ” She was not wearing a seatbelt, and was ejected from the car.  The ejection ripped off most of her clothes.  She was not drunk – but she was under the influence. She was under the influence of the untrue belief that it is possible to drive and use a cell phone at the same time.

We all think that we can.  We all think that we are good enough drivers to be able to text, read and write email, surf the internet, and make calls while we are driving.  Chris did.  I did.  The 18 year old girl who hit us that day did.  And I would bet that most of you reading do.  The truth is: we can’t.  No one can.  It doesn’t matter if you are 16 or 45, using a cell phone while you are driving is too distracting to risk.

I know you are thinking – “There is no way I can give it up.  I am a good enough driver.  I have years of experience.  It will never happen to me.”  I am here to tell you – it can.

Chris was not on his phone during the accident.  He was not distracted, and his focus allowed him to see the oncoming car, and maneuver our car quickly to the right before the impact.  That maneuver, the last thing that he did, saved my life.

Today, on his birthday, I ask you to honor Chris’ memory by pledging to never drive distracted again.  Honor his memory by never riding in a car with someone who is driving distracted again.  Every time someone texts you, or calls while you are driving, think to yourself, “Is sending this text worth risking my life?  Is taking this call worth risking the life of another driver?”  No call, no text, no email, was worth losing two lives on that day.

My heart aches for the family of the girl who also died that day.  She didn’t think that she was doing anything wrong.  She never had a chance to live her life.  I mourn for her, just as I do for Chris.

I ask you today to pledge in memory of Chris to never let your phone distract you while you are driving again.  For your own sake, and for the other drivers around you – do not take the chance that your actions could take another life or your own.

Chris was a wonderful husband, amazing father, loving son and brother, and fiercely loyal friend.  There is not a minute in a day that I don’t think about him.  I miss him desperately.  But, Colleen and I are living our life.  We laugh and smile and enjoy the blessed moments that we have together every day.  We thank God for the time we had with Chris, and trust in God that he has not left us, and will never leave us alone.

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Maximize Your Impact

December 2nd, 2011     Posted by under Get involved, Giving

Many people have often reached out wanting to help FocusDriven, but they weren’t sure what they could do. Aside from simple acts such as sharing our Facebook posts and Tweets, you can also help FocusDriven financially. We are asking those of you who are considering making a donation to maximize your impact. We know times are tough, and we are only asking that you give what you can. But here are 10 ways to maximize your impact if you care about safety on our nation’s roadways.

Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your Impact
  1. Make a personal donation.
  2. Set a fundraising goal for yourself.
  3. Ask your family and friends to match or double your contribution.
  4. Ask your employees to make a donation.
  5. Ask your employer to match or double what you raise at your organization.
  6. Ask your local businesses or vendors if they would be willing to make a donation in memory/in honor of someone you know.
  7. If you work in an office park, challenge other businesses to raise money.
  8. Coordinate a fundraiser in your community.
  9. Share what you did with your friends and family on Facebook and ask them to do the same.
  10. Send a tweet to your followers asking them to donate.

 

As always, thank you for your continued support and for caring about this issue.

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Remembering Erica

November 22nd, 2011     Posted by under Victim story

The following post is a modified version of an earlier post. We ask that you forward it to your friends and family members in memory of a little girl who was a ray of sunshine to those who knew her.

Thanksgiving will never be the same for the Forney family. You see, three years ago their daughter, Erica, was struck and killed by a cell phone distracted driver. Erica died on Thanksgiving day. Think about that for just a moment – a precious member of the Forney family is gone forever…because of a phone call.

If you think it can’t happen to you, you’re wrong. If you think you can drive safely and use a cell phone at the same time, you’re wrong. If you think your hands-free device makes you safer, you’re wrong. Numerous research studies have shown it’s a dangerous behavior. For the Forney family, and countless other families across the country, reality proves it’s a deadly behavior.

An aspiring artist

Erica Leanne Forney, was the glue that held her family of four together. Erica was 9 years old and the middle child – and she filled that role well. The oldest Forney daughter, Jessica, spent every waking moment with Erica. Valerie Grace, the youngest of their girls, adored Erica and watched her every move.

Erica had lots of friends and interests. She wanted a barn owl for a pet… how fun would that be! She was an aspiring artist. She had taken art classes for years. In fact, her family had plans to sign her up at a local art school. Erica not only was heading toward becoming an artist, but she also had a love of music and wanted to play the harp. She was known for her humor and entertained family and friends with her knock-knock jokes and funny faces. She had so many ambitions and goals – then her life was cut short. Just as their sweet child was starting to figure out who she was and what she loved, she was taken away from people who loved her dearly.

It was two days before Thanksgiving in 2008 and Erica was riding her bike home from school.  About 15 pedals from the safety of the Forney home, Erica was struck by a driver using a cell phone. In that instant, the lives of her family, friends and those in her community were changed forever.

Getting through the heartbreak

Words cannot convey the heartbreak the Forney family has experienced. That little girl, the glue that held their family together, was gone.

It’s been nearly three years since Erica was killed, and the pain is as strong as the day they lost her. They say that time heals all wounds. Not this one. Losing a child is the worst kind of pain a parent can endure. Parents are not supposed to bury their children.

Shelley, Erica’s mom, thinks about Erica all the time. She wonders what Erica would look like now. Shelley thinks about where Erica’s life would be at this point, three years later. It’s hard for Shelley to see Erica’s classmates at school and how much they all have changed and grown. It’s painful for Shelley to continue on without the love, joy and beauty that Erica gave her, but Shelley tries her best. Shelley has two other amazing children and a husband who need her, and she wants to be here with them.

A message worth sending

Honor Erica’s memory by sharing her story. Each day that someone chooses not to use their cell phone is another day that a family gets to stay together, a day that families get to celebrate another Thanksgiving.

We’re asking that you support FocusDriven through a financial contribution. Help send the message that NO Phone Call or Text Message Is Worth More Than Someone’s Life.

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Odessa follows dangerous trend in Texas

November 1st, 2011     Posted by under Cell phone use while driving, Law enforcement, Legislature, News

I was recently shocked to read that a motion to consider a ban on texting while driving by the Odessa City Council in Odessa, TX, died because the motion was not seconded.  Even while the majority of people in the gallery, which included high school students, stood to show their support of the ban, only one Odessa council member was in favor of it. As a result, the ban never even went to vote.

This follows a disturbing trend in Texas. In June, Governor Rick Perry vetoed a similar bill that had joint approval from the Texas House and Senate to make texting while driving illegal. Perry stated that it was a “government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults” and that “people concerned with distracted driving should work with state and local leaders to educate the public of these dangers.”

Odessa City Council Member Barbara Graff stated, like Perry, that education alone will solve the problem. Making statements that aren’t backed by research is dangerous and gives people a false sense of security. Those of us in traffic safety know that it takes both education and laws to have the greatest impact. One needs look no further than safety belt use and drunk driving to show that education alone isn’t enough. Change requires education combined with high visibility enforcement.

There are times when laws are necessary not to limit our freedoms, but to protect us from the choices others make that compromise safety.

For Graff, Perry and others who believe that changing the laws is not going to make a positive difference, they should read the posts from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about the success others are having enforcing cell phone laws. Laws can and do work.  Or read the recent recommendations from the NTSB, calling for an all out cell phone ban for the trucking industry, citing the danger it poses to the general public.

Graff also stated that education does and will change things. Education will sway some people, but laws combined with education will have a greater impact.

Shame on you Odessa City Council.  How many more people need to be hurt or killed before you realize you made a deadly mistake?

More Relevant Posts from Sec. LaHood

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/09/engineering-alone-cannot-end-the-distracted-driving-epidemic.html

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2011/03/law-enforcement-officers-a-critical-partner-in-traffic-safety.html

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2011/02/sgt-bob-sheffield-metropolitan-nashville-police-dept-distracted-drivers-put-selves-others-at-risk.html

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/09/congratulations-massachusetts-for-taking-action-to-save-lives-and-stop-distracted-driving.html

 

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What’s haunting the streets this Halloween?

October 20th, 2011     Posted by under Cell phone use while driving

Next week tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of kids across the nation will be out trick-or-treating. I remember I loved Halloween as a kid. My brother and I would stay out running from house to house to see who could get the most candy. When we were completely exhausted, we’d reluctantly head home and compare our loads. Back then, we didn’t have a care in the world. Oh how times have changed.

On Halloween motorists need to be on increased alert. In some parts of the country it starts getting dark sooner, children’s masks can block their ability to see cars and children can dart into the streets. But there is another reason why drivers need to be on increased alert – drivers using cell phones.

Aside from the fact that texting increases a driver’s crash risk by 8 to 23 times, cell phone conversations are also dangerous.  In our recent posts we’ve shared how drivers using cell phones “look at” but do not “see” up to 50% of their driving environment. The cell phone conversation requires such brain power the brain filters out information. It’s for this reason we caution all motorists to put down their cell phones while driving.

Check Out These Statistics

NHTSA:

Even speeds at neighborhood levels can be deadly. Probability of death rises quickly between 20-30 mph, neighborhood speeds …

  • 5% of pedestrians die when hit at 20 mph speed.
  • About 40% of pedestrians die when hit at 30 mph speed (even with 20-25 mph speed limit, many vehicles in neighborhoods drive 30 mph)
  • About 80% of pedestrians die when it at 40 mph

IIHS:

  • Most pedestrian crashes happen in urban areas – 71% of pedestrian deaths in 2009 were in urban areas.
  • The most common crash scenario involves pedestrians crossing in front of a passenger vehicle that is traveling straight. These crashes typically occur in daylight on roads with speed limits below 40 mph. The majority of pedestrian deaths occur in dark or twilight conditions and at locations other than intersections, where vehicle speeds may be higher and where drivers do not expect to have to stop.

Beyond fatalities, because pedestrians are so vulnerable when hit by a vehicle, they are often severely injured with some effects lasting a lifetime: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, fractured bones. Pedestrians’ heads, legs and arms are most frequently injured areas.

What you can do

If you are driving, don’t use your cell phone. Put the safety of the trick-or-treaters and the others on the roads first. It’s just not worth the risk.

If you are a parent, talk to your children about the importance of crossing streets safely. Talk to them about the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Let them know it isn’t safe and that drivers who use their cell phones may not see them crossing the street – even if they are looking.

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Why focus on cell phone distracted driving?

September 29th, 2011     Posted by under Cognitive distraction, News

One question we hear often is “Why focus on cell phone distracted driving? There are so many other behaviors and distractions that are more dangerous for drivers.”

It’s true. There are more dangerous behaviors that drivers can engage in while behind the wheel. However, three factors need to be considered:

1.)  Frequency: how often drivers are engaging in the behavior
2.)  Prevalence: the number of drivers engaging in the behavior
3.)  Risk: how risky the behavior is

Generally, the highest risk behaviors increase crash risk by 3x to 23x. Cell phones use while driving requires all 3 types of distraction – visual, eyes off the road; manual, hands off the wheel; and cognitive, mind off the road. Other combinations of visual, mechanical and cognitive distractions include:

  • Applying makeup: 3.8x
  • Reading: 3.4x
  • Reaching for a moving object: 8.8x *
  • Turning around in seat: 8.8x *
  • Texting:  8-23x
  • Using a cell phone while driving: 4x (according to several studies)
    *according to studies performed by Virginia Tech.

While some activities do have a high crash risk, they do not necessarily cause more crashes, injuries or deaths because the prevalence and frequency are lower. For example, turning around in a seat is clearly dangerous – making drivers 8.8 times as likely to be involved in a crash. However, the frequency (how often drivers are engaging in this behavior) and prevalence (the number of drivers engaging in this behavior) are low.

Let’s take a look at how this applies to texting and cell phone use while driving.

Manually manipulating

Risk: Increased risk of injury from manipulating a phone – texting, dialing, etc.: 8x up to 23x
Prevalence: .6% of drivers at any one time are manipulating handheld devices.
Result: Minimum of 100,000 crashes, or 1% of all crashes, involve texting

Cell Phone Use

Risk: Increased risk of injury from using a cell phone while driving: 4x
Prevalence: 5% of drivers at any one time, or more than 800,000 drivers, observed talking on handheld devices and 4% are estimated to be talking on hands-free devices (total 9%).
Result: 1.2 million crashes/year or 23% of all crashes, involve cell phone use

TAKE AWAY:  Cell phone use while driving is a major threat to public safety because of the number of drivers engaging in the behavior, the duration in which they are engaged in this behavior and the significant crash risk they are exposing themselves to and others.

Don’t be fooled. The type of cell phone – whether hands-free or handheld – being used by drivers is irrelevant. Using a hands-free device does not eliminate the cognitive distraction. The problem is about more than just hands on the wheel and eyes on the road – our brains need to be able to capture and process what our eyes see. When we are engaged in cell phone conversations and texting while driving, that doesn’t happen.

5 Things to Remember

1.)   All distractions are not the same: they have different levels of risk and crash involvement.
2.)   Cognitive distraction is real.  It’s not where your hands are, it’s where your head is.
3.)   Texting is very high risk and teens are the highest-risk group.
4.)   Laws that ban only handheld use likely will not be effective in reducing risks or crashes because the cognitive distraction still exists with hands-free use.
5.)   The number one driver distraction that is involved in the most crashes is cell phone use.

More than 30 studies reported substantial negative effects of cell phone use on driving for hands-free and handheld phones. Researchers found cell phone use while driving effects reaction time, slower speed, headway and lateral lane position, for hand-held and hands-free phones.

Are Passenger Conversations A Risk?

No. Conversations between adult drivers and adult passengers are generally low risk, though there can be exceptions. Adult passengers provide adult drivers collaborative problem-solving, shared situation awareness and active support of the driver by the passenger. In fact, a front seat passenger reduces the risk of a crash to 38% of that of a cell phone conversation.

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Do you speak up?

September 26th, 2011     Posted by under Get involved, Resources

When you find yourself riding in a car with someone who is using a cell phone while driving do you speak up? What do you say? Is the driver convinced that cell-free driving is safer?

I often see passengers sitting in cars with drivers who are chatting away on their cell phones. I can’t help but wonder if they (as passengers) realize the danger they are in for the duration of that cell phone conversation. I believe, for the most part, we all understand why texting while driving is so dangerous. I have heard people share how they speak up when someone they know texts while driving. Is that the case for the cell phone conversation?

If you have always wanted to say something, but have never known how to approach the subject here is one example:

You:  “Hey you aren’t really going to talk on a cell phone while driving, are you?”

Driver: “Yeah, why not?”

You:  “Well, because my life is more important than your phone call.”

There is no come back to that. Your life is more important than a phone call or a text message. If the driver continues to make the call, you say it again: “I’m not kidding. People have died because of drivers using their cell phones, and I don’t want to become one of them.”

If the person refuses, ask him/her to pull over. State that you aren’t in a rush. If you are in a rush and the driver won’t delay the call/text, do yourself a favor and get out. Get a ride from someone else – someone who values your life more than a phone call.

Like many others, I assume that teens have trouble speaking up to their friends, but adults face the same challenges. Would you speak up if your boss was going to make a phone call? Why not? Is his call more important than your life? Don’t you owe it to the people who love you to be as safe as you possibly can be? What if you didn’t speak up and there was a crash? What if someone died as a result? Could you live knowing that you could have prevented it?

We all have choices to make. And every action makes a difference.

I’ve talked to my children about the dangers of using cell phones while driving. My kids have been known to roll down their windows and inform the other driver(s) that talking on a cell phone while driving isn’t safe. While some people may shy away from letting their kids to something like that, I don’t. They could be saving a life – theirs, mine or the other driver’s.

My kids have asked their friends’ parents not to use their cell phones while my kids are in the car. Talk about wanting to stand tall and be a proud mama. My oldest turns 8 years old next month.

The point is we should all feel comfortable speaking up when our safety is on the line.

So the next time you find yourself in a car with someone who isn’t valuing your safety or the safety of those around you, speak up. Ask the driver to either pull over or wait till you reach your destination ­– You’re worth it.

Have suggestions on how to speak up? Let us hear them. Post a comment.

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How you can help make a difference

September 22nd, 2011     Posted by under Get involved

Many people ask what they can do to help educate others about the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Here are ten things you can do to help.

1. Talk to your friends, family and neighbors about why cell phone use while driving is dangerous. Let them know that you care about their safety and ask that they stop doing it – immediately.

2. Change the voicemail greeting on your cell phone to something like “Sorry I missed your call. I’m either away from my phone or driving. Please leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can do so safely.” Encourage your friends and family to do the same.

3. Write to your elected officials. Let them know that cell phone use while driving has become a traffic safety issue. Ask for their support of legislation that would make our roadways safer. See our recent post for a ‘how to’ and tips.

4. Ask your employer to implement or strengthen its cell phone policy. The National Safety Council offers a free kit that includes everything you need for a best practice policy.

5. Help FocusDriven ‘friendraise’ – each person who chooses safety over cell phones while driving could mean one more family gets to stay together. Ask those you know to ‘friend’ FocusDriven on Facebook and ‘follow’ us on Twitter.

6. Help raise funds. Does your company have a matching program? Establish a program within your organization where staff can donate $5 to dress casual one day during the week. Ask your employer to match the contributions raised! Have your kids get their schools involved. Ask others you know to help put an end to this threat to public safety.

7. Donate your services. We’re always looking for ways to spread the word. If you’re a writer, printer, creative professional, PR pro, etc. put your skills to work by donating your time to FocusDriven.

8. Talk to your children. Whether we realize it or not, our children watch and mimic our behavior. Setting a good example for our children and teaching them the importance of focusing on driving will help them become good drivers.

9. Write to your local newspaper. Letters to the Editor are a great way to let your local newspaper know what issues are of importance to their readers. If your city or state has legislation proposed, speak up and show your support through the media.

10. Honor those whose lives have been lost by sharing their stories. Personal stories can change behaviors. Those who are killed or injured in crashes involving drivers distracted by their cell phones are more than just statistics. They are brothers, sisters, parents, spouses, grandparents and friends to many. Their stories have the power to make great change.

Don’t give up. Putting an end to cell phone use while driving is a winnable battle. We must be relentless in our efforts. Change will happen. Remember, every action makes a difference. Thanks for helping us.

If you have a story to share, you can always submit it for consideration on The Focus – the official FocusDriven blog.

Got another tip? Leave a comment and share your ideas.

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NTSB Recommends Banning Cell Phones By Commercial Drivers

September 20th, 2011     Posted by under News, Resources

On March 26, 2010 a truck-tractor semitrailer combination unit veered from the left lane, crossed a 60-foot-wide median, struck and overrode a cable barrier system, entered oncoming traffic and struck a passenger van carrying 11 passengers. The truck driver and 10 of the 12 occupants of the van were killed in the Munfordville, Kentucky crash. The National Transportation Safety Board cited use of the mobile phone as the probable cause of the crash. The NTSB now recommends banning use of mobile phones by commercial drivers except in emergencies.

Thank you NTSB for issuing this recommendation!

Organizations with commercial drivers should take a minute today and read 6 Keys to an Effective Cell Phone Policy. It’s a great article that explains why businesses should have cell phone policies in place. Cell phone policies are another way for businesses to protect their most valuable asset – their staff!

Whether businesses are looking to implement a policy or strengthen an existing policy, the National Safety Council offers a free cell phone policy kit. In it, businesses will find everything they need for a best practice policy.

FocusDriven applauds NTSB for its recommendation and hopes the all businesses understand the value of protecting employees with corporate policies.

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