Each day, more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver (approx. 80%), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving can significantly increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.
There are three main types of distraction:
- Visual - taking your eyes off the road
- Manual - taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive - taking your mind off what you are doing
Effective 1/3/2012, no driver shall use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle per FMCSR.
Landstar BCOs have done a great job converting to headsets and going hands-free. Still, keep in mind it is also important to secure phones so they cannot fall to the floor or anywhere else that might tempt us to reach, taking a hand off the wheel and our eyes and mind off the road.
Remember, talking on a cell phone while hands-free may still be a distraction. Conditions of the roadway and the behavior of other drivers can change abruptly, leaving you little or no time to react so, when possible, let calls go to voice mail and return messages during stops.
Other driving distractions include but are not limited to:
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
- Pets
At Landstar, safety always comes first!
For more information, please contact:
safety@landstar.com
or 800-872-9496.
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