Distracted Driving: Model Company Policy A

This model policy may be used as a guideline for companies that wish to prohibit the use of all electronic communications while vehicles are in motion and does not constitute an endorsement by the sponsoring organizations.

Purpose,BackgroundandApplicability

[The company]recognizes thatdistracted drivingcan impairsafe drivingand contribute to crashes. Thispolicy willapply toallcommercialdriversoperatingcompany equipment andindependent contractors operating their own equipment under a lease or owner-operator agreement.

Policy

Thispolicy isintendedonly todefinecertainprohibitedactivitiesandprescribepracticesand recommendationsto helpemployeessafelyoperate companyequipmentorperformworkfor[the company]. Anyactivitywhichwouldcausedriverstotakebothhandsoffthewheelatthesame time,ortheirmindentirelyoffthedrivingresponsibilitiesisprohibited. Drivingdistractionsinclude devicesinsidethevehicleaswellasconversationswithpassengersorco-drivers. Distractionsmay alsobecausedby objectsoroccurrencesoutsidethecab,suchaselectronic signs,billboards,“rubber- necking,” etc.

Specific Prohibitions

[Thecompany] prohibits theuseof thefollowingdevicesbythedriverwhile the vehicleisin motion:

•Textingwith acell phoneor PDA

•Cell phoneuse,unlesscoupled toahands-freedevice

•TelevisionsandCD players

•Useofradioorstereoheadphones

•Electronicgames

•GPS manipulation while driving

•Anydeviceinviolationofanyapplicablelocal ordinance,stateor federal statute

Cellphoneconversationsshouldbelimited toconversationsrelatedonly tothedelivery task.

[Thecompany]alsoprohibitsdrivingwhileimpairedmentallyorphysically,includingdrivingwhilein afatiguedstate. Whenfatigued,yourability tooperate thevehiclesafelyissignificantly reduced. If youfindyourselfin any oftheseconditions,find theclosestsafeplacetolegally parkand rest.

Suggested Practices

[The company] prohibitstheunnecessaryuseofcellphoneswhiledriving. Mobile phonecalls should only be made whenyouaresafely and legally parkedoff thetraveledportionof theroadway.

Minimize the use of the CB radio to communications that enhance your ability to drive the vehicle safely, efficiently, and to gather valuable information related to road, traffic and weather conditions. When you must

use a mobile communication device while in motion, [thecompany] encourages the use of “hands-free” devices.

[Thecompany]alsosuggeststhefollowingsafepractices:

•Donotreachforsomethingthatwouldcauseyoutomoveyourbodyandhandsfrom theirproper drivingpositionsor thatwouldcauseyou to takeyoureyesoff theroad.

•Ifyoumustdrinksomething,use astrawandavoidopencupsthatmighteasilyspill.

•Choose foods thataresimpleandeasy toholdandmanipulatewithonehandandnever take both hands off thewheel at thesametime.

•Pre-select radiostations.

•Ifconversingwith apassengerorco-driver, avoid looking at the person to whom you are speaking, keepyoureyesfocusedontheroadahead.

•Avoidanyconversationthat is contentious or causes you to lose focus on your driving responsibilities.

•Neverwriteorhandlepaperworkwhile thevehicleisinmotion.

•Donotread a maporatlaswhile thevehicleisinmotion. Studyyourmapanddirections while parked.

•Pre-program your GPSwithoriginanddestinationpointsbeforemovingyourvehicle.

Consequences forViolating Policy

Ifadriverisinvolvedinanaccident,and asignificantcausalfactoroftheaccidentisdrivingwhile distracted, thedriverwillbesubject to retrainingand/ordisciplinary actionupto andincluding termination. Adriverwhoisobservedengaginginprohibitedconductwillbesubject toretrainingand/or disciplinaryactionup toandincluding termination.

Itisimportantto understand thatFederalMotorCarrierSafetyRegulations49CFRPart390.17 prohibitstextingwhiledrivingacommercial motor vehicle (CMV)andviolationofthisregulation may resultinsteepfines and sanctions against the driver’s commercial drivers license.

Modelcompany policiesgoverningdistracteddrivingarepartofaDefeatingDistractedDrivingcommercial drivercurriculumthatalsoincludesavideo, brochure, handouts and aPowerPointpresentation.For moreinformation onthecompletecurriculumandhowtousethemindriversafetymeetings,visit

Defeating DistractedDrivingwasdevelopedinpartnershipwith the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and acoalitionofcommercial truckandbus companies, federal agencies, truckandbussafetyorganizations,drivereducationentitiesandother partners.