{"id":2421,"date":"2021-09-24T14:43:14","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T14:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/?p=2421"},"modified":"2026-02-03T23:56:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T23:56:22","slug":"how-to-avoid-distracted-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-distracted-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Distracted Driving Risks and Employer Safety Duties"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2421\" class=\"elementor elementor-2421\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce73541 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ce73541\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa62a2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"fa62a2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section style=\"width:100%; box-sizing:border-box; padding:30px 22px; font-family:Arial, system-ui, sans-serif; background:linear-gradient(180deg,#f0f9ff 0%,#ffffff 100%); color:#0f172a;\">\r\n\r\n  <style>\r\n    @keyframes pop {\r\n      0% { opacity:0; transform:scale(0.7); }\r\n      60% { opacity:1; transform:scale(1.15); }\r\n      100% { opacity:1; transform:scale(1); }\r\n    }\r\n    @keyframes pulse {\r\n      0% { text-shadow:0 0 0 rgba(14,165,233,0); }\r\n      50% { text-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(14,165,233,0.55); }\r\n      100% { text-shadow:0 0 0 rgba(14,165,233,0); }\r\n    }\r\n    @keyframes flicker {\r\n      0%,100% { opacity:1; }\r\n      45% { opacity:0.85; }\r\n      55% { opacity:0.95; }\r\n    }\r\n  <\/style>\r\n\r\n  <div style=\"max-width:1140px; margin:0 auto;\">\r\n    <div style=\"background:#ffffff; border-radius:30px; padding:50px 44px; box-shadow:0 30px 70px rgba(15,23,42,0.14);\">\r\n\r\n      <h2 style=\"font-size:35px; margin-bottom:20px; border-bottom:4px solid #0ea5e9; padding-bottom:12px; display:inline-block;\">\r\n        Distracted Driving Safety Overview\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:22px;\">\r\n        Distracted driving occurs when a driver is engaged in activities that divert his or her attention away from the road. Distractions during driving put the lives of drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers at risk. One of the most common forms of distracted driving is the use of a cellular smartphone while driving.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:36px;\">\r\n        According to the US Department of Transportation, texting while driving increases the chance of a crash by\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0ea5e9; animation:pop 0.8s ease both, pulse 2.4s infinite;\">23\u00d7<\/span>\r\n        compared to driving without distraction. Over\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0ea5e9; animation:pop 0.8s ease 0.1s both, pulse 2.4s infinite;\">30%<\/span>\r\n        of drivers in the United States have texted while driving, according to studies and polls. Younger drivers, in particular, but not exclusively, are prone to distracted driving.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <h2 style=\"font-size:35px; margin-bottom:22px; border-bottom:3px solid #0ea5e9; padding-bottom:8px; display:inline-block;\">\r\n        Types of Distractions while Driving\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:18px;\">\r\n        Visual, physical, and cognitive distractions are the\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease both, flicker 3s infinite;\">3<\/span>\r\n        types that might occur while driving. Taking one's eyes off the road, like glancing at a GPS or roadside billboards or checking a child's seat belt in the rearview mirror, are all visual examples that can lead to distracted driving.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:36px;\">\r\n        Manual distractions include rummaging for anything in a bag, eating or drinking, grooming, or changing radio stations with one's hands off the wheel. A mentally unfocused driver exposes himself to cognitive distractions. Texting and calling on one's cell phone are examples of distractions that combine some or all of these categories.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <h2 style=\"font-size:35px; margin-bottom:22px; border-bottom:3px solid #0ea5e9; padding-bottom:8px; display:inline-block;\">\r\n        Dangers of Distracted Driving\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:16px;\">\r\n        In\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease both, flicker 3s infinite;\">2019<\/span>,\r\n        distracted driving accidents killed over\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease 0.1s both, pulse 2.6s infinite;\">3,000<\/span>\r\n        people.\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease 0.2s both, flicker 3s infinite;\">9%<\/span>\r\n        of all fatal crashes involved distracted drivers.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:16px;\">\r\n        Texting while driving is a major contributor to road fatalities. For every\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease both, pulse 2.6s infinite;\">1 million<\/span>\r\n        additional text messages, casualties from distracted driving behavior rise by over\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease 0.1s both, pulse 2.6s infinite;\">75%<\/span>.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.956; margin-bottom:16px;\">\r\n        Distractions cause more fatal crashes in people under the age of\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease both, flicker 3s infinite;\">20<\/span>\r\n        than in any other age group.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:36px;\">\r\n        According to studies, drivers who use their cellphones just for a single text message take their eyes from the road for an average of\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease both, pulse 2.6s infinite;\">4.6 seconds<\/span>.\r\n        This is the equivalent of driving a football field blindfolded at\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0284c7; animation:pop 0.8s ease 0.1s both, flicker 3s infinite;\">55 mph<\/span>.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <h2 style=\"font-size:35px; margin-bottom:22px; border-bottom:3px solid #0ea5e9; padding-bottom:8px; display:inline-block;\">\r\n        How Employers Can Reduce Distracted Driving\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:22px;\">\r\n        Using cell phones while driving is undoubtedly the major cause of distracted driving. Every day, millions of people who drive to work put themselves in danger by texting while driving. With the widespread use of smartphones, this problem is only getting worse.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:18px;\">\r\n        Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers need to safeguard their workers while they are driving. This is true whether they drive extensively or just occasionally to conduct their work duties. It doesn't matter if employees drive their personal car or a company-provided one.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n      \r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:18px;\">\r\nHere are some of the things employers can do to prevent distracted driving:\r\n\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <ul style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; padding-left:24px; margin-bottom:36px;\">\r\n        <li>Ban the use of cellphones for all employees while driving.<\/li>\r\n        <li>Disincentivize the use of cellphones during driving.<\/li>\r\n        <li>Establish explicit protocols, times, and locations for drivers to safely communicate with management and customers.<\/li>\r\n        <li>Educate workers on hazard-free communications practices during orientation and training.<\/li>\r\n        <li>Remove any financial or other incentives that encourage employees to use their cellphones while driving.<\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n\r\n      <h2 style=\"font-size:35px; margin-bottom:22px; border-bottom:3px solid #0ea5e9; padding-bottom:8px; display:inline-block;\">\r\n        Other Measures to Reduce Distracted Driving\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:18px;\">\r\n        Legislation has been introduced to reduce fatalities caused by distracted driving. These restrictions vary between states. Currently, no state has a complete ban on the use of cell phones while driving. Most restrictions are limited to drivers using only hands-free devices to use their cellphones.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:18px;\">\r\n        Awareness campaigns run by the US Department of Transportation, the NHTSA, and cellular service providers encourage safer driving practices and discourage cell phone use while driving.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:18px;\">\r\n        Technology is also playing its part to reduce distracted driving incidents. Carmakers have introduced dashboard and heads-up display systems, driver monitoring technologies, and applications that disable cellphones during high-speed motion.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:22px;\">\r\n        Studies have found rumble road strips to be highly effective. Rumble strips have been shown to reduce crash injury from\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0ea5e9; animation:pop 0.8s ease both, pulse 2.6s infinite;\">38%<\/span>\r\n        to\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0ea5e9; animation:pop 0.8s ease 0.1s both, pulse 2.6s infinite;\">50%<\/span>\r\n        on rural lanes and from\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0ea5e9; animation:pop 0.8s ease 0.2s both, pulse 2.6s infinite;\">50%<\/span>\r\n        to\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0ea5e9; animation:pop 0.8s ease 0.3s both, pulse 2.6s infinite;\">90%<\/span>\r\n        on urban roadways.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n      <p style=\"font-size:16px; line-height:1.95; margin-bottom:0;\">\r\n        In addition, obtaining the OSHA\r\n        <span style=\"display:inline-block; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; color:#0ea5e9; animation:pop 0.8s ease both, flicker 3s infinite;\">30<\/span>\r\n        card on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor will give you an advantage over other employees when applying for a job position in any construction facility near your area.\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Distracted Driving Safety Overview Distracted driving occurs when a driver is engaged in activities that&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6154,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[774,1144,140,1143,1145,1141,1142],"class_list":["post-2421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-and-safety","tag-distracted-driving","tag-employer-safety-responsibility","tag-health-safety","tag-osha-driving-safety","tag-road-safety-training","tag-texting-while-driving","tag-workplace-driving-safety"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2421"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2421\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}