Jotto Desk

A new report by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) shows that 74% of 24 leading employers that operate fleets of vehicles either have in place or are planning policies to ban the use of all mobile devices behind the company wheel. ALL. Hand-held, hands-free, you name it.

THIS IS GREAT NEWS.  Think about it -- of 24 leading employers with fleets of vehicles, 74% are taking Distracted Driving SERIOUSLY.  They have either established policies or are planning them to ban the use of these devices (cellphone, pda, laptop) while behind the wheel. 

BIG QUESTION -- Is it enough or is it simply a case of a good first step?  I propose that to have a policy is simply the first step necessary to solving the much larger problem.  A policy is simply the "official stance" a company makes -- it lays out the ifs, whens and whys.  Doing nothing would be similar to being against clean air or clean water...therefore we see the onslaught of policies regarding Driving while Distracted.

So a company issues a policy -- even a policy with real "teeth" -- how does that really affect the issue of Distracted Driving?  A company with 400 fleet vehicles on the road can have a policy banning the use of a mounted laptop computer while driving or the texting while driving -- but how can they ensure that the ban is effective?  Fear?  That seems to be the case and some could argue that the "policy" is strictly liability insurance for when the employee gets in an accident when using the laptop while driving.

"One of the greatest challenges to our distracted driving efforts has been enforcement. But looking over the survey results, it seems clear that the safest employers have the steepest penalties and the most vigorous observation policies."  Here is where I have issues with the Distracted Driving bandwagon -- Enforcement and Corporate Involvement.  I am firmly behind the issue but it will be almost impossible to enforce this corporate policy and the corporate "involvement" is pretty simple in saying "we are against someone texting while driving or working on their laptop while driving".  It costs NOTHING but gives a nice WARM FEELING.  How about investing into safety?

Only technology will solve a technology issue.  Want to scare some people from using their laptops while driving...make a policy that sounds scary but is impossible to enforce.  That will keep those "honest" employees that weren't doing it in the first place...from beginning.  The others will realize...that enforcement will be near impossible and do what they are doing now...rolling the dice. 

Technology currently exists to ensure compliance to the policy.  Products currently exist right now...not in R&D stage...to blank the screen of a laptop computer when the vehicle is in motion.  Every time that driver puts the vehicle in "D" - ScreenSafe will prevent a distraction.  Similar products exist for cell phones as well.  Will it cost Corporate America?  Yes it will -- but if they truly believe that Distracted Driving is an issue and that it causes accidents, then they will be putting their money where right now only their mouth exists.