Distract Driving While On The Job

Many of the automobile crash victims represented by the injury lawyers at Jones & Swanson were involved in an accident where the at-fault driver was on the job. Distractions are typically a leading cause of these types of motor vehicle accidents. Statistics show that the number one cause of workplace death is vehicle crashes, so the dangers extend to those on the job, as well as other drivers on Georgia roadways.

In an effort to keep Georgia interstates and highways safe from auto accidents caused by drivers of company vehicles and those “on the clock”, the National Safety Council is offering a complimentary Cell Phone Policy Assessment Tool. This assessment compares your employer’s distracted driving policy to the NSC best practice safety policy, which is meant to protect employees from crashes caused by distraction. Upon completion of the assessment, a report will be provided with risk valuation, improvement suggestions, and helpful resources that may reduce risk to your company’s employees and others on the road.

Multitasking While Driving is a Myth

Many Georgia drivers mistakenly believe that they can multitask while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, this leads to serious auto accidents on a regular basis. Just as you cannot have a phone conversation while reading a book, doing so while driving is just as distracting. Statistics show that you are four times more likely to be involved in an auto accident while talking on a cell phone, as compared to non-distracted driving. Sending text messages, emails, or checking your phone’s GPS while behind the wheel is even more hazardous because it requires taking your eyes off the road. Even one second of looking away from the roadway can lead to an accident.

Phones aren’t the only method of distracted driving, though. Many crashes have been attributed to other forms of distraction, such as reading, turning around to the back seat, or reaching for moving objects. The NSC reports that each of these distractions leaves drivers significantly more at-risk of being involved in a crash. Reading increases the odds of being in an accident by 3.4, while turning around or reaching for objects increases those odds by 8.8.

Ultimately, drivers should avoid any form of distraction every time they are behind the wheel. Whether you’re on the job or not, it is every driver’s responsibility to make Georgia roadways safer. If we all take distracted driving more seriously and make a conscious effort to avoid distractions, we can make a real difference in vehicle safety throughout the state.

Unfortunately, not every distracted driving crash can be avoided. If you were involved in an automobile accident where the at-fault driver was distracted while on the job and are unsure of what to do next, contact Jones & Swanson today for a free legal consultation.