While recent legislation has made it against the law for truck drivers to use cell phones when driving, there are still drivers who break the rules. These disobeying drivers can cost their companies thousands of dollars in steep fees and penalties due to liability claims.
“Employers should know a policy that prohibits handheld and hands-free cell phone use by all employees while driving is not only a best safety practice but also contributes to the bottom line,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council.
A recent whitepaper released by the NSC, “Employer Liability and the Case for Comprehensive Cell Phone Policies,” showcases the potential liability issues employers can be confronted with in the case that truckers get in an accident that is caused by cell phone use.
Having the proper business insurance can protect companies if they have drivers on the payroll that engage in these unsafe driving practices.
Distracted truck drivers are making roads more dangerous particularly in construction zones, with the North Tarrant Express Project blaming nearly half of all construction zone-related crashes on distracted drivers, reported NBC Dallas/Fort Worth.
