Paying Attention to Distracted Driving

In a recent survey from a national insurance company on perceptions and behaviors related to distracted driving, a third of business executives surveyed expect their workers to answer or participate in work-related calls while driving – and 42 percent of workers say they oblige.

Why do workers accept work calls, texts and emails while driving? Here is what survey respondents said on the topic:

• The call might be a work-related emergency (43 percent).
• They feel they need to always be available (39 percent).
• They believe ignoring a call will upset their supervisor (19 percent).

The impact of taking those calls or texts is significant. According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use or texting was a factor in 13 percent of driving accidents that resulted in fatalities.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and PestSure wants to share valuable safety information with pest control professionals on distracted driving involving two of the most commonly used technologies – cell phones and GPS.

Safe Cell Phone Usage Tips

• Pull over and park your car in a safe location if you’re expecting a call/text message or need to make/send one.
• Ask a passenger to respond to calls or text messages on your behalf.
• Avoid social media use while driving.
• If necessary, activate the “do not disturb” feature on your phone, or place the device in the trunk, glove box or back seat of your vehicle until you reach your destination.

Safe GPS USAGE

Whether used as a tool to get you to an unfamiliar location or as a planning guide for the day’s routes, GPS can be useful to stay on track and help the driver concentrate on driving. When used properly, GPS navigation can be a vital addition to a driver’s safe driving process. If used improperly then it can become another distraction that can lead to an accident.

• Positioning Your GPS - Your GPS unit should always be at eye level or as close to it as possible. This allows you to glance over for any updates without taking your eyes completely off the road. When it’s located any lower, such as mounted on an A/C vent, too much time is spent moving your eyes back and forth which can cause an accident.
• When to Program Your GPS - Never adjust your GPS while you are driving. If something needs to be changed or you are confused about the route it is taking you, pull over, park, and then assess the situation. Your GPS unit should have voice guidance enabled to minimize the need to take your eyes off the road. Program this prior to departure and make sure it is working at a proper volume before leaving the parking lot.
• GPS is NOT infallible - A GPS unit can only work with the information it has been given. Any changes to the road due to construction or road closures can cause it to re-route suddenly or lead you astray. Always use your best judgement when navigating the road and once you get away from any detours then your GPS should get back on track. If in doubt, pull over and reassess the situation.
• Check Your Route Before You Start Driving - Some GPS units allow you to preview your route once it has been calculated. If you are going somewhere new, use this tool to understand what route you’ll be taking so you can be aware of the overall journey before embarking.
• Use Common Sense - Sometimes the GPS will want you to make rapid sharp turns which can be difficult to navigate in heavy traffic. If you ever miss a turn, do not try to make a sudden correction. If it’s determined that turning around is the best option, find a safe place to do so with a proper turn lane. The most it will add to your trip is a minute or two which is far less time than if you were to get in an accident.

PestSure – Your Partner in Safety

Founded in 1980, PestSure is the only insurance and risk management provider that is 100 percent dedicated to the pest management industry. It offers industry professionals a full suite of insurance, risk management, and safety training and education offerings.

PestSure provides insurance, safety and risk management consulting to pest management companies representing $2 billion in revenue, $750 million in payroll and more than 16,500 service vehicles. The program is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.

Call 888.984.3813 or visit our contact page for more information.