CORRECT! Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80% of accidents and 16% of highway deaths are the result of distracted drivers. The NHTSA considers the following as distractions: other occupants in the car, eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting radio, adjusting temperature, reaching for objects in car and cell phone use.
· Texting, reading, or composing e-mails while driving is prohibited.
Drivers must pull safely to the side of the road (or exit the freeway) prior to initiating or receiving any call. Headsets and other “hands free” options are permitted. In addition, employees must obey all local laws regarding the use of cellular phones to the extent they are stricter than the requirements in this policy.
Failure to comply with this directive may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination from the fleet program and termination of employment. The employee will also be subject to meeting the total cost of an accident caused by the use of a cellular phone or any other portable electronic device while the vehicle was in motion.