Safety Update

Safety Update: Cell Phone Use While Driving: An Accident Waiting to Happen!

Almost all people are or have been guilty of talking on their cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.  Most of the population of drivers do not think twice about dialing up and chatting to their colleagues, friends and family while on route to the grocery store, on their way to work or to catch that early morning business conference call to save time.  We have become a society where convenience is paramount; but at what expense?  Cell phones may be useful for the multi-tasker who can juggle several activities at one time, however, one’s balance and concentration can be adversely affected.  Let’s take a look at the facts:

In 2008, The Alberta Medical Association called for the Government of Alberta to look at banning cell phone use while driving.   The following statistics were posed:

• Collision risk is four-to-six-times higher for drivers using cell phones,
• Using a cell phone while driving slows reaction speed by 18%,
• The increased risk of collision is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit,
• Drivers using cell phones are more likely to miss a red light and 10 times less likely to make a full stop at a stop sign; and
• Text messaging causes up to a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road and a 140% increase in incorrect lane changes.

The impact on the health care system, as a result of the use of cell phones on Alberta roads, has become a serious issue.  Half of Alberta drivers report cell phone use while driving; drivers using cell phones has nearly doubled in fewer than 10 years.

Nationally, the statistics are not much more promising. The 2004 Alberta Traffic Safety Progress Report stated that "the leading causes of collisions in Canada include driver distraction, inattention and improper lookout, contributing to 20% to 50% of all collisions; this due in part to cell phone use.  Internationally, as many as 40 countries restrict or prohibit the use of cell phones while driving due to statistically high rates of cell phone related accidents resulting in hospital attendance for injuries incurred.

There is substantial proof to support the dangers of cell phone use while driving.  Motor Vehicle Accidents/Incidents are the number one statistical trend for most companies across the country.  Due to this, many companies have and are taking a stance to ban cell phone use while driving on company time.  Policies and driver education have been developed and initiated to create awareness around the dangers of driver distraction.  For example, Exxon Mobil adopted a policy banning employees from using their cell phones while operating motor vehicles on company time. This policy applies to 88,000 employees and was adopted after Exxon Mobil used its own scientists to research the issue. Many other Fortune 100 companies have adopted similar policies.

To reduce the number of motor vehicle incidents in your company, consider the ramifications of cell phone use while driving and adopt safe strategies.  Some safe strategies to consider are as follows:

• Hands-free cell phones may be marginally safer, but they still cause driver distraction. It is best to not use the phone while driving,
• Turn your cell phone off before you start driving. Let voice mail pick up the call,
• Delegate cell phone use to your passengers,
• If you must make a call, look for a safe opportunity to pull over and park before taking or making a phone call; and
• If you absolutely must answer the phone, tell the caller you are driving and will call them back when you are safely parked.

For more information, go to http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safedrivers/distractions

Brought to you by www.eCompliance.ca - The leading provider of Compliance Management Solutions

LEGAL DISCLAIMER
eCompliance provides information about topical OH&S issues to assist existing and potential customers to cope with their own OH&S needs. It is not intended to be legal information or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a lawyer if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.