Don’t Let Texting + Driving Cost You or Your Employees
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You know your employees could be at risk on the road if they’re texting while driving in the course and scope of their employment—and you could be liable. In fact, 98% of commuters said they know the dangers, according to an AT&T survey. However, half of all commuters admit to texting while driving regardless. Thankfully, Florida put the breaks on texting while driving on Oct. 1, 2013, joining 40 other states to help curb this distracted driving epidemic.
If drivers are caught texting in Florida, they’ll get ticketed with two moving infractions. This means law enforcement must first witness a driver infringing on a traffic law, such as careless driving, and pull them over for it. If the police officer suspects the driver was texting, a second ticket would be issued.
The first offense associated to texting while driving is considered a nonmoving violation, according to the law on wireless communication. Texting drivers pay a penalty of $30, plus court charges. Do it again within five years and it is considered a moving violation that adds three points to the driver’s license. Totaling up 12 points within a 12-month period carries a license suspension of 30 days; 24 points within a 36-month period results in a license suspension of one year (Florida Driver’s Handbook).
In time, traffic tickets that add up on a driving record indicate a risky driver; hence a higher car insurance rate. Worse—a fatal accident. In 2012, driver distraction was the cause of 18 percent of all fatal crashes—that’s 3,328 people killed—according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure employees do not text and drive during the course and scope of employment. Although you can’t be your employees’ backseat driver on every road trip, today’s technology can help.
Here are 10 phone apps to keep your staff from texting while driving:
With today’s technology, there’s no reason why we can’t put the brakes on texting while driving in Florida. For tips on managing common driving distractions during work hours, and to print and customize a “Distracted Driving Policy” for your business, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Comment below with how you refrain from texting while driving!