As a plumbing services company, safety should be a top priority, not just for your customers, but for your employees as well. One major issue in the workplace that often goes overlooked is distracted driving. In the age of technology, distractions like texting, talking on the phone, and checking emails are all too common behind the wheel, and these behaviors can be extremely dangerous.
If you expect your employees to multitask, periodically check for messages, and respond to calls and emails while driving, you may be inadvertently contributing to distracted driving, increasing the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the road. In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential risks of distracted driving and how setting clear expectations for your team can ensure a safer work environment.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can be defined as any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the road, including texting, eating, reading, grooming, using a GPS device, or adjusting the sound system. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,142 deaths and an estimated 424,000 injuries caused by distracted driving in 2019 alone.
The problem of distracted driving is especially prevalent among younger and inexperienced drivers, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that drivers under the age of 20 are the most likely to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction was a factor. Even more worryingly, a recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drivers who text behind the wheel are more than eight times more likely to be involved in a crash.
Managing Your Team’s Driving Expectations
As a plumbing services company, you can take steps to mitigate the risk of distracted driving by clearly outlining your expectations and creating a safe driving culture. Here are some tips to help ensure your team operates responsibly behind the wheel:
1. Encourage employees to pull over if they need to check or respond to a message or call.
While it’s important for employees to handle calls and emails promptly, encourage them to pull over to a safe parking spot before doing so. This will help ensure they’re not taking their eyes off the road and putting themselves and others at risk.
2. Set clear expectations for safe driving practices.
Make sure your employees understand the risks of distracted driving and that it is unacceptable behavior on company time. Consider creating a formal policy and training program to ensure everyone is on the same page.
3. Provide hands-free devices.
If your employees need to make or receive calls while driving, provide them with hands-free devices like Bluetooth headsets or car speaker systems. This will allow them to keep both hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road while still handling business calls.
4. Emphasize the importance of safety.
Make safety a core value of your company and celebrate employees who prioritize it. Consider including safety metrics in your employee evaluations and offering rewards for safe driving behavior.
Conclusion
Distracted driving is a major concern for any business with employees who drive company vehicles or their own vehicles for work purposes. By setting clear expectations for your team’s driving behavior, creating policies and procedures, and emphasizing the importance of safety, you can help reduce the risks of distracted driving on the job. Remember to always encourage your employees to prioritize safety, and promote a culture of safety at Ace Plumbing & Repair.
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