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

One in four vehicle crashes involve distracted driving, according to statistics compiled by the National Safety Council (NSC). Additional research from the NSC revealed that the top distracted driving behaviors included texting or talking on the phone, eating, drinking, and smoking.

The pest management industry sends thousands of technicians, inspectors and sales representatives out in a wide array of service vehicles every day to service customers. With every turn, stop or backing out of a driveway, there is a risk for an accident to occur. Therefore, it is vital for companies to develop and follow protocols for safe driving practices. 

Distracted driving accidents claim roughly 3,500 lives annually – an average of eight each day – and PestSure, a leader in driver safety training for pest management professionals, is committed to assisting companies create a safe driving culture.

“Statistics show that drivers using hands-free or handheld devices can fail to see 50 percent of their surroundings, and that can lead to a higher probability of a distracted driving crash,” said Linda Midyett, vice president and loss control director for PestSure. “Creating a plan for and providing regular training on driving safety best practices is critical to keeping employees, customers and the public safe and reducing claims.”

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and staying focused behind the wheel is essential to becoming a safe driver. Midyett offers the following five tips to reduce distracted driving accidents:

1.         Direct your attention to driving – nothing else.

2.         Stow and silence phones and electronic devices.

3.         Focus on positive driving behaviors.

4.         Prepare your vehicle settings before you depart.

5.         Give yourself enough time between appointments.

“We want to see employees safely return to their families each night,” added Midyett. “Becoming a more aware driver starts with having a plan and following that plan with consistent training and reinforcement.”