By David Estrada
Regulatory Compliance Specialist
Mark your calendars. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month! Preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates there were 40,000 traffic-related fatalities in 2023. The great news is that this figure represents a 3% drop from the previous year, but NHTSA still attributes a great portion of these fatalities to distracted driving. Fewer issues pose a direct safety risk to dealers than distracted driving. Just think about the number of dealership employees who drive vehicles as part of their daily job duties!
Distracted driving is a critical concern on our roads, posing a significant threat to the safety of dealership employees and the community. For those working in dealerships, the temptation to use cell phones for texting, calls, and social media can be particularly high, especially when communicating with clients or while delivering parts or vehicles. Additionally, adjusting the radio, GPS settings, and even eating and drinking on the move are common distractions that compromise safety. Now, distractions while driving are especially an issue as modern vehicles include state-of-the-art infotainment systems that can detract from a driver’s full attention on the road. For dealership employees, it is vital to remember that every second of attention diverted from the road is lost in preventing potential accidents, whether on or off the dealership lot. Ensuring full focus while driving is not just about personal safety; it’s a professional responsibility to set a positive example for both fellow employees and customers alike.
Best Practices
In the spirit of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, here are some best practices your dealership and your employees can implement immediately to reduce the risk of distracted driving:
- Have employees sign a safe driving policy that requires staff that regularly drive vehicles to follow safe driving practices while operating a vehicle (e.g. refrain from using cell phones, no eating or drinking while driving, adhere to posted speed limits, etc.)
- Have employees complete a safe driving training program (already part of the training curriculum in ComplyAuto Workforce!)
- Equip company vehicles with hands-free devices or technologies that minimize the need to use hand-held phones while driving. Consider vehicles with advanced safety features that can help prevent accidents.
- Avoid setting tight schedules that may pressure employees into using phones while driving to communicate with clients or the office. Ensure there’s adequate time for employees to safely reach their destinations without rushing. This is particularly important if your dealership employs parts or vehicle delivery drivers.
- Consider implementing telematics and other monitoring tools to ensure employee compliance with safe driving policies. However, be sure to fully vet and comply with any employee privacy and monitoring rules in your state.
- Keep records of all employee-involved accidents. Aside from the fact that this is likely already required by your dealership’s insurance and workers’ compensation policies, keeping records will provide the dealership with critical metrics as to how many collisions or accidents were the result of distracted driving.
Questions?
As National Distracted Driving Awareness Month unfolds this April, it’s a pivotal time for dealerships to actively engage in reducing distracted driving. This period is an opportune moment for dealerships to advocate for safer driving practices among all staff, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the road. Implementing safe driving policies, enhancing training, equipping vehicles with hands-free technology, and ensuring flexible schedules are practical steps towards minimizing distractions. This initiative not only aims to safeguard individuals but also to cultivate a culture of attentive and responsible driving within the automotive community. Get started on this initiative immediately by enrolling employees in ComplyAuto’s Safe Driving training, available in ComplyAuto Workforce! For more information, contact us at info@complyauto.com.