Questions to consider
- Do you collect crash data?
- Do you know the prevalence of distracted driving among your employees?
- Do you know the consequences of distracted driving for your workplace?
In creating and implementing a workplace policy, it is important to understand current laws in Washington. In Washington, it is against the law to use your cell phone while you are driving.
Laws explicitly include both text-based communications and talking on the phone while driving without appropriate hands-free devices.
Washington also acknowledges that a wide variety of other behaviors could distract a driver and result in dangerously distracted driving. An officer can cite a driver for engaging in any activity not related to the actual operation of the motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with its safe operation. See: https://wadrivetozero.com/distracted-driving/ for more information about the laws.
Company business: any situation where an employee is performing tasks on behalf of their employer.
Hands-free device: a mobile device that can be operated through voice command, often through a wireless or Bluetooth connection, integrated into the vehicle.
Hand-held device: a mobile device that is operated while holding the phone in hand and operating it through pressing buttons or a touch screen.
Mobile device: any portable communication device including (but not limited to) mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, and laptop computers.
Employer-owned or Employee-owned device: Employees may conduct company business on devices that are either employer owned or employee owned. Both types of devices may be for work as well as personal uses.