Teamwork and Technology Drive Rottler Pest Solutions’ No Cell Phone Policy

When Rottler Pest Solutions set out to strengthen driver safety across its 300-plus vehicle fleet, leadership knew it would take more than reminders and policies; it required a complete cultural shift. With growing awareness of the risks tied to mobile device use, the company took a hard look at how to better protect employees, customers, and its brand.

Using telematics data, internal safety reviews, and lessons learned from past incidents, Rottler developed a comprehensive no cell phone policy focused on prevention, accountability, and support. The initiative combined clear expectations with real-time monitoring and consistent coaching, ensuring every employee understood the “why” behind the rule and how it benefited everyone on the road.

A Costly Reminder That Sparked Change

In June 2024, just months before the rollout of Rottler’s no cell phone policy, a distracted driving incident underscored the urgency of this effort. One of Rottler’s technicians was positioned in one of two left-turn lanes and began his turn after noticing the cars beside him move.

What he didn’t realize was that while the adjacent through lanes had turned green, his lane still showed red. Moments earlier, he had been looking at his phone and, although he set it down before accelerating, the distraction lingered leading him to proceed through the intersection and collide with another vehicle.

Thankfully, no one was injured, but the at-fault accident caused nearly $12,000 in damages. The event reinforced what Rottler’s leadership team was thinking as they considered how to strengthen driver safety and reduce risk exposure across their fleet.

“The incident did reinforce the need for a no cell phone policy,” said Steven Bopp, A.C.E, Rottler’s safety and fleet manager. “It is an incident that we based some of our decisions off of and we still refer back to today.”

Rolling Out the Policy

In September 2024, Rottler held a companywide meeting to announce the new policy, with Chairman and CEO Mike Rottler, President and COO Dan Rottler, HR Manager Bill Freeland and Bopp delivering the message. The emphasis was on why the change was necessary: distracted driving is dangerous, costly, and preventable.

The rollout was simple but firm. All employees signed the new policy, and it became part of the orientation process for every new hire. From day one, the message was clear: no cell phone use while operating a Rottler vehicle or conducting Rottler business. Period.

Building Teeth into the Program

Enforcement of the policy – always the toughest piece of the plan - came through a structured, measured approach supported by data collected through telematics and drive cameras.

Rottler decided on a three-prong approach:

• First incident: A reminder conversation with a supervisor, documented with a corrective action notice.
• Second incident: A stronger conversation, another corrective action, and the clear warning that the next violation could mean termination.
• Third incident: Termination.

Unlike a suspension - which Freeland noted only strains co-workers because it adds to their workload covering for the suspended employee - the policy is designed to coach, correct, and, if necessary, remove unsafe drivers from the road. In the first year, only one termination was required, despite having hundreds of technicians and sales staff on the road daily.

“Whatever program you create, you have to be consistent,” Freeland said. “No exceptions. If employees are let go, it’s because they fundamentally didn’t care to follow the policy.”

Executing With Technology

Rottler paired the new policy with the Lytx® driver safety program using telematics and video review to monitor driver behavior. The system flags incidents such as hard braking or possible phone use, which are then reviewed by the operations team and shared with service managers.

Managers are responsible for the coaching conversations, with regional managers and HR supporting consistency.

“I review video and point out coaching opportunities, but it’s the service managers who have the day-to-day conversations,” said Bopp. “That’s how we build accountability into the program.”

Coaching and Culture

The first six months following the program rollout saw strong compliance, but as summer and workloads increased, incidents rose. Rottler responded with refresher training for technicians in morning huddles, reminders in monthly Teams calls, and a PowerPoint presentation that reinforced the policy.

Peer-to-peer influence also helped compliance.

“The more our team understood the ‘why’ behind the policy - that it protects their safety and livelihood - the more it resonated,” Bopp said.

Freeland added that consistency in training is non-negotiable.

“From orientation onward, we emphasize no phone use,” said Freeland. “And since we act immediately on violations, employees need to know we’re serious.”

Results and Impact

Since implementing the policy, Rottler has not experienced an at-fault crash linked to cell phone use.

Bopp noted that while the company saw an increase in overall accidents and total claims per vehicle during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, none of those incidents involved employees using cell phones.

Overall, Rottler has had low frequency losses over the last two years (two in 2023 and three in 2024), according to PestSure’s Linda Midyett.

“That is not much activity for a fleet of 300 vehicles,” added Midyett.

New communication tools (software applications and text messaging – when not driving) addressed technicians’ concerns about staying in touch with customers and the office. Productivity and sales have held steady, with many employees finding the new systems faster than the old “phone call” method.

Lessons for Other PestSure Members

Both Bopp and Freeland emphasize preparation and consistency:

1. Do Your Research. Engage CSRs, managers, and technicians before drafting a policy to anticipate pushback and find solutions.
2. Back it up with Technology. Telematics and video evidence make enforcement objective and fair.
3. Train and Retrain. From new hire orientation to summer refreshers, keep the message alive.
4. Be Consistent. No exceptions. Every violation is addressed, documented, and followed through.
5. Support Your Managers. Give them the tools, training, and authority to have coaching conversations.

A Model for Safety and Accountability

For Rottler Pest Solutions, the no cell phone policy is more than a rule - it’s a cultural shift backed by teamwork across HR, fleet safety, and operations. By combining thoughtful design, modern technology, and consistent coaching, Rottler has built a safer workplace while protecting employees, customers, and the communities it serves.

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. The program is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.

Call 888.984.3813 or visit www.pestsure.com for more information.