Four pieces of the distracted driving awareness puzzle

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time when seasons change and fleet managers ought to promote safe driving. Technology is a major help to spread distracted driving awareness, but it all comes down to the individuals at the wheel.

Distracted truck driving is a serious hazard, which the FMCSA can show is the leading cause of large truck crashes. In fact, 4 in 5 collisions result from in-cab distractions within 3 seconds of the crash.

Check out these practical tips and be sure to help promote distracted driving awareness.

Distracted driving awareness means, well, being aware

Some drivers believe they are plenty prepared to avoid collisions due to distracted truck driving. It makes sense anyone with a CDL knows better than to use their phone while driving. This behavior is linked by the NHTSA linked to more than 3,400 deaths in 2016, nearly 10 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities.

However, truck drivers are human. If a phone rings, they will reach for the phone. Some drivers have not changed their mind about bringing a personal mobile device on the road and using it as they see fit.

This is a serious concern for fleet managers. Since 2012, the FMCSA has enforced rules against handheld mobile devices in the trucking industry. Even the use of fleet management system and dispatch devices while driving is unsafe.

The FMCSA defines mobile device use as:

• Using at least one hand to hold a device and place a call
  • Pressing more than a single button to place a call
  • Reaching for a device in any way that moves out of driving position in a seatbelt

Fines up to $2,750 to a driver, and $11,000 to the trucking company, can be assessed if a driver is caught in violation. A zero-tolerance policy at your trucking company, and frequent reminders of the policy, goes a long way. Workers whom do not take the job seriously are more likely to become a major liability than diligent truck drivers.

External distractions come with the job

Fleet managers, safety officers and compliance professionals do a lot to cut out distractions in the cab. They cannot, however, tear down bright billboards or stop civilian traffic from the good old “honk honk” signal as they drive past.

Train truck drivers with practice trips that include a mix of obvious, predictable distractions on the road, plus a few surprise trucker distractions. Human-related distractions are easier to plan for and avoid than nature’s distractions, however. Wherever possible, avoid putting a newer driver on a route through terrain with rock slides or forests with animals skittering across the road.

Drivers also face personal distractions on the road

Physical maladies are not a cut-and-dry reason to turn away willing drivers. As long as accommodation exists for a condition, such as ADA-certified braces or non-drowsy medication for pain management, it is possible to overcome a health issue that would otherwise be a driving distraction.

The mental and emotional health of drivers is also a factor. Drivers going through difficult personal situations are more prone to distracted driving. It is better for a driver to take some personal time after a death in the family or a divorce, for example, as one bad day for them could lead to a collision that makes it a worse day for even more people.

Technology alleviates many distracted driving awareness issues

With ELDs and Bluetooth devices, the trucking industry has seen a significant drop in distracted driving collisions. The days of paper maps, handheld CB radios and lax safety standards are long gone, so it benefits trucking companies to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to safe driving.

Everything from virtual large truck driving and videos make training more efficient. Pairing new drivers with experienced professionals is a smart way to ensure the training takes effect. Even if total driving hours increases with extra drivers on the road specifically for training purposes, good training is an investment against the massive financial and reputational damages of putting a driver on the road if they ignored much of their safety training.

EROAD’s fleet management, driver management, and safety and compliance resources are designed to make the road a safer place for all. We are here to help during Distracted Driving Awareness Month, as well as every month of the year, so get in touch to learn how we can help your fleet with safe driving awareness! Contact us today.