According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA, the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event, such as a crash, near-crash, or unintentional lane deviation are 23.2 times greater for CMV drivers who text while driving than for those who do not. For CMV drivers who dial a mobile phone while driving, the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event are six times greater than for those who do not.
The #1 cause of workplace injuries and fatalities is traffic collisions, and 20% of fleets experience a crash every year. Of all reported collisions, 25% are caused by cell phones.
Distraction: Deadly & Costly
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibits the use of all hand-held mobile devices in commercial vehicles. Federal law restricts a CMV driver from reaching for or holding a mobile phone to conduct voice communication, as well as dialing by pressing more than a single button. CMV drivers who use a mobile phone while driving can only operate a hands-free phone located in close proximity. The rule prohibits unsafely reaching for a device, holding a mobile phone, or pressing multiple buttons.
A professional driver who violates FMCSA cell phone rules can face civil penalties up to $2,750 and driver disqualification for multiple offenses. Motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers to text or use a hand-held mobile phone while driving and may be subject to civil penalties up to $11,000. Texting and calling on a hand-held phone carry the maximum violation severity on your Safety Measurement System (SMS) score.
Manage Distracted Driving Risk
Don’t wait. Proactively enforce the FMCSA’s and your organization’s cell phone policy by installing the NOCELL® Platform.
Your Company’s Crash Risk and Costs
It is essential to know the legal risks associated with distracted driving, and to share this important information with your professional drivers. Tort laws, known as “negligent entrustment” and “vicarious liability” state a company can be held liable for the negligence of its drivers, and can apply if it is proven that a professional driver was using a cell phone while driving. This includes the use of company or personal vehicles and devices.
The Cost of Distracted Driving
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Legal Expenses
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Bad publicity and reputation damage
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Production loss
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Property damage and expenses
Crashes directly impact your organization’s bottom line. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
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The average cost of a truck crash involving a fatality is $3.6 million per crash
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A crash with injuries costs almost $200,000 per crash
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The average cost of all large truck crashes is about $91,000 per crash
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Take a proactive stance on distracted driving to protect your employees, the public, your insurance rates, and your organization’s bottom line
Did You Know?
A professional driver who violates FMCSA cell phone rules can face civil penalties, up to $2,750 in fines, and be prohibited from driving. Motor carriers are prohibited from allowing drivers to text or use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Carriers may be subject to civil penalties and up to $11,000 in fines. Texting and calling on a hand-held severely impacts a carrier's Safety Measurement System (SMS) score.