Employers Pay Attention to Distracted Driving
NETSSurvey of leading employers’ mobile phone policies shows common trend
February 25, 2010 09:02 AM Eastern Time
VIENNA, Va.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--A survey by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
(NETS) of 24 leading companies that operate fleets shows that 74 percent either have policies in place or are
planning to implement policies that ban the use of all mobile devices while driving company vehicles. The rules apply
to both hand-held and hands-free devices.
While all of the companies surveyed ban hand-held mobile devices, which would prohibit texting, most companies
have specific language in their policies regarding text messaging. In many cases, the policies apply whether the driver
is operating a company-owned vehicle or is using a personal vehicle for company business.
Many of the companies surveyed have been pioneers in the effort to counter distracted driving, with policies banning
all use of mobile phones implemented as early as 2004.
“Companies that operate in multiple state jurisdictions or where drivers are likely to cross state lines to conduct
business cannot rely on state legislation alone to keep employees safe and protect their bottom line,” said Jack
Hanley, Executive Director of NETS. “Employers are implementing these policies to protect their employees and
because it is the responsible thing to do.”
Research has shown that the best model to change behavior is education combined with legislation and enforcement.
As a means of enforcement, some companies have a zero-tolerance policy resulting in termination for employees
who use their mobile phones while driving company vehicles. Companies surveyed also reinforce the importance of
attentive driving through workplace safety campaigns and continuous training.
This survey is a follow-up to an earlier NETS benchmarking study of leading companies with a combined 2008 US-
based fleet of 185,000 passenger vehicles. That study found that a total ban on mobile