Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Fleet Management News
Study: Top safety fleets enforce total ban on cell phones
Nov 16, 2010 11:51 AM
A new study by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) of company vehicle fleet crash rates reveals that “the top safety performers are companies with policies enacting a total ban on cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) and that establish strong consequences—including termination—for employees who violate such policies.”
NETS’ latest Strength in Numbers fleet benchmarking study found the “significant commonalities among the leading performers” were not only that they were more likely to have a total ban on mobile phone use, but 6 of the 8 leading companies were also more likely to terminate a driver for violating the company’s mobile device policy. By comparison, all thirteen companies that fell in the bottom of the rankings had some degree of a mobile device policy-- but none had the option to terminate a driver for violating the policy.
“This is the first evidence we’ve seen that shows the combination of a strong mobile device policy and strict consequences can result in lower crash rates,” said Bill Windsor, NETS Board Chairman. “The benchmark study shows the potential for well-written state laws combined with strong enforcement to eventually reduce crash rates in the general population.”
The year-long benchmarking study examined fleets from 45 leading companies in the pharmaceutical, oil and gas, food and beverage, telecommunications, transportation, package delivery and insurance industries. The companies, including 27 in the Fortune 500, operate a combined fleet of just over 400,000 vehicles, which logged more than 8 billion miles in 2009. The study participants’ crash rate per million miles (CPMM) ranged from less than one to nearly 12.
|
Full story: Study: Top safety fleets enforce total ban on cell phones
My employer banned all mobile device use in vehicles several years ago, unless the vehicle was parked. That went from service trucks to the president, and included the full mobile sales force. It didn't cover driving to and from work in personal vehicles, but it did if you received a monthly car allowance (and practically all managers did). Many of us took the opportunity to eliminate all vehicle cell phone usage.
Stock price did fine. $6b company. The ban applied in Canada, representing about half the global revenues. Given that many customers were mining and oilfield customers with very strong safety programs, the new policy was well-received by customers. Promoting the policy publicly demonstrated a commitment to safety.
It is absolutely a mind shift, requiring adaptation. However, the world didn't end.
__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White
Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue
|