Mobile Phone Usage
Ryder Customer Safety and
Loss Prevention
Mobile Phone Usage
Introduction
► There are benefits to having a cell phone available while driving, but with those
benefits comes increased risks. You cannot argue that a cell phone provides
help and security to you and your loved ones. Being stranded on a remote
stretch of highway can be very dangerous, and trying to wave down strangers for
help is a scary situation.
However, the improper use of a cell phone while driving has a far higher risk of
negative consequences. The National Safety Council has issued a statement
regarding cell phone use:
► “A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle and that best
practice is to not use electronic devices including cell phones while driving. When
on the road, drivers shall concentrate on safe and defensive driving and not on
making or receiving phone calls, delivery of faxes, using computers, navigation
systems, or other distracting influences. When a driver decides that it is safe to
use such a device while driving, it should be with the understanding that
negligent drivers be held accountable when distracted driving results in the injury
or death of others.”
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Mobile Phone Usage
Frequently Asked Question:
Q. Does cell phone use while driving cause traffic crashes?
A. Research shows that driving while using a cell phone can pose a serious cognitive
distraction and degrade driver performance. The data is insufficient to quantify crashes
caused by cell phone use specifically, but NHTSA estimates that driver distraction from
all sources contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.
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Mobile Phone Usage
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is it safe to use hands-free (headset, speakerphone, or other device) cell
phones while driving?
A. While a hands-free device does allow a driver to keep both hands on the wheel, the
device does not diminish the distractions associated with dialing. In addition, the available
research indicates that whether it is a hands-free or hand-held cell phone, the cognitive
distraction is significant enough to degrade a driver’s performance. This can cause a
driver to miss key visual and audio cues needed to avoid a crash.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. In an emergency should I use my cell phone while driving?
A. As a general rule, drivers should make every effort to move to a safe place off of the
road before using a cell phone. However, in emergency situations a driver must use their
judgment regarding the urgency of the situation and the necessity to use a cell phone
while driving.
Q. Can technology eliminate driver distractions?
A. Undoubtedly, technology can help reduce the distractions related to cell phone use.
However, no technology can completely eliminate these distractions.
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Mobile Phone Usage
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What do the studies say about the relative risk of cell phone use when
compared to other tasks like eating or drinking?
A. The current research does not provide a definitive answer as to which behavior is
riskier. In a controlled study, comparing eating and operating a voice-activated cell phone
to continuously operating a CD player, it was found that the CD player operation was
more distracting than the other activities
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Mobile Phone Usage
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is talking on a cell phone any worse than having a conversation with someone
in the car?
A. Any activity a driver engages while driving has the potential to distract the driver from
the primary task of driving. Some research findings comparing cell phone use to
passenger conversations while driving, show each to be equally risky, while others show
cell phone use to be more risky. A significant difference between the two is the fact that a
passenger can monitor the driving situation along with the driver and pause for, or alert
the driver to, potential hazards, whereas a person on the other end of the phone line is
unaware of the roadway situation.
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Mobile Phone Usage
Statistics
In a test track study conducted by NHTSA, the results showed that manual dialing
was about as distracting as grooming/eating, but less distracting than reading or
changing CDs. It is also important to keep in mind that some activities are carried out
more frequently and for longer periods of time and may result in greater risk.
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Alternatives
► Hands-free devices – Allow a driver to keep both hands on the wheel, but looking
for your hands free device when you wish to make or receive a call can
overcome the beneficial aspects of using the device.
► Voice-Activated and Speed dialing– If set-up properly can reduce the distractions
related to manually dialing numbers.
► Push-to-Talk – Devices that act like a radio can further reduce the distractions
related to dialing, but generally require the driver to remove one hand from the
wheel. In addition, the relative ease of using these devices can lead to more
frequent and unnecessary calls.
► Voice mail and Caller ID – A driver is less likely to answer an incoming call while
driving or in a hazardous situation if they know that a message or phone number
will be left. Voice mail and caller id allow a driver to safely park a vehicle before
returning the call.
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Mobile Phone Usage
Prohibited Practices
► Your company may prohibited you from using any types of mobile phones,
including hands-free phones, while driving in potentially hazardous conditions
including:
● Driving in heavy or congested traffic;
● Driving in construction zones;
● Driving on slippery roads;
● Driving in poor visibility (e.g., fog, rain, snow,);
● Driving in residential areas, school zones, or areas with children playing;
● Driving near railroad crossings; or in parking lots
● Driving in parking lots; Backing; or transporting H/M
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EXCEPTIONS
► The only exceptions to using a mobile phone in the potentially hazardous
conditions stated above are in times of emergency, such as: • Reporting
collisions to emergency personnel,
● Calling law enforcement for assistance,
● Reporting road hazards to the authorities, or
● Notifying the authorities of erratic driver
► Before using a mobile phone for an emergency purpose, carefully
determine if the call can be made safely.
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Safe Operating Procedures
► Employer should train employees on this policy.
► Ensuring that the mobile phone safe operating procedures are
implemented
► The following safe operating procedures must be implemented by
managers to reduce the potential risks associated with mobile phones:
► If your employees have provided mobile phones or are reimbursed for
mobile phone service, ensure that their mobile phones are equipped with
voice-mail. This allows employees to return incoming calls during non-
driving periods.
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Safe Operating Procedures
► What steps can drivers take to reduce their risk of having an accident?
● Although it may seem impractical, the best option is to turn off the phone while driving.
When using cell phones or two-way radio devices (aka “Nextel”, etc.), here are a few tips
to consider:
● Remember, safe driving is your first responsibility. Always buckle up, keep your eyes on
the road, and hands on the wheel (use auto dialers, or ask passengers to place calls for
you).
● Whenever possible and safe to do so, pull off of the highway to make calls.
● Never take notes or read maps while on the phone under any kind of driving conditions.
Always pull off of the road to a safe, secure parking area to deal with complicated
discussions.
● Let the voicemail feature pick up calls when dealing with difficult driving conditions (bad
weather, heavy traffic, etc.).
● Although the use of speaker phones, auto dialers and speech-activated phones will not
eliminate the risk; these features can help you to maintain concentration on driving
duties.
● Complicated conversations should be minimized - - short, simple communications
should be the norm when in any traffic conditions. If a detailed conversation is
necessary, ask to conduct the call after you’ve found a place to stop: complex
interactions are more likely to cause a significant
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Mobile Phone Usage
Conclusion
► If you are distracted by a phone conversation, you are putting yourself “at-
risk” of becoming involved in a collision, and possibly endangering others.
It is always prudent to minimize distractions when driving, and turning off
the phone may be very helpful; however, if you have to make the call
while driving, please be extra careful and vigilant – it only takes a moment
to misread hazards on the road that can lead to a collision.
► Follow your company policies regarding the approved use of cell phones
or similar devices, and honor any specific restrictions that have been
published by your company.
► Lastly, make sure you know your state and locals laws when you are
using any cell phone. Some states have enacted laws prohibiting use of
cell phones while driving.
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Mobile Phone Usage
Quiz
1. Using a hands-free device eliminates the
risk of using a cell phone while driving.
True False
2. Driver distraction is the number one leading
cause for collisions.
True False
3. Employees are prohibited from using cell
phones while driving in construction zones,
while backing, and while driving in a parking lot.
True False
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Quiz
4. Allow voice mail to answer your phone while
driving is a safe practice.
True False
5. Cell phone distraction can lead to an
increase or decrease in vehicle speed.
True False
6. Non-compliance with cell phone policy can
lead to termination.
True False
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Quiz
7. Exceptions to your company’s policy include
notifying authorities of erratic drivers.
True False
8. Driver distraction relates to 25% of all traffic
vehicle crashes.
True False
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Quiz
9. Mobile Phone Usage Policy refers to CB and
two-way radios as well as cell phones.
True False
10. Managers should monitor cell phone calls on
company phones to ensure that they are used
for business and emergencies only.
True False
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Quiz-Answers
1. FALSE 2. TRUE
3. TRUE 4. TRUE
5. TRUE 6. TRUE
7. TRUE 8. TRUE
9. TRUE 10.TRUE
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