Heads Up! It’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Every spring, the transportation industry ramps up for increased production across all markets, as well as taking advantage of better weather to keep trucks moving.  Additionally, it marks heavier casual summer traffic including vacationers and novice drivers. It’s the ideal time for carriers to focus their attention on keeping drivers on top of their safety game.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and EROAD supports your continuous improvements in driver safety. Per the FMCSA, distracted driving is the leading cause of big rig crashes citing that 4 in 5 collisions result from in-cab distractions that occur within 3 seconds of impact. In other words, most crashes happen almost simultaneously with when a driver’s attention is being pulled away from the road.

Mobile Device Danger Isn't Just About Texting

Close to ten percent of motor vehicle fatalities can be directly linked to mobile device distractions. While texting is an obvious and well publicized risk, there are other behaviors that drivers need to stay aware of, including the use of fleet management and dispatch systems.

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 are hefty at up to $2,750 to a driver, and $11,000 to the carrier if a driver is caught in violation. Many companies have now implemented a zero-tolerance policy, firing drivers who are cited with this extremely dangerous offense. The liability they present to the carrier is potentially devastating so second chances aren’t chances they are willing to take.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil

What about distractions that aren’t in the cab, the kind neither drivers nor carriers can control?  The flashing, impossible-to-ignore billboards along the highway, the car pulled off to the shoulder, or the blaring horn of a frustrated driver passing by?

Continually work with your new drivers to practice trips that include a mix of these man-made distractions on the road, as they tend to be fairly predictable and easy to reproduce. Becoming conditioned to remain focused during these events will keep everyone safer on the road.

Drivers Are People Too

Drivers going through difficult personal situations or health conditions are more prone to distracted driving, so it’s important to pay attention to mental and physical health, as well. Check in with drivers regularly to assess how things are at home and if they are struggling. Offering a few days of personal time is far less expensive than an accident. Perhaps coping with the physical demands of the industry is causing distraction and providing additional gear such as back braces or seating systems will alleviate any preoccupation resulting from discomfort. Drivers are hard workers and often not inclined to ask for help, but it’s important to remember that they are human and offering additional support can do a lot to keep their heads in the game.

How Can Technology Help?

As transportation technology continues to progress, trucking companies that stay ahead of the curve are more likely to be successful in many areas of business, including their safety records.

EROAD supports safe driving practices by offering driver behavior reports, Leaderboard rankings for incentivizing good driving, and other insight reports to help you uncover where your team may need to focus and develop an improvement plan. While April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we support and appreciate your efforts toward driver safety all year long.

Contact us today to learn more about what EROAD can do to help!