Recent studies have shown that drivers who use their cell phones while driving—whether holding the phone or using a hands-free device—have a much higher risk of collision than those who do not. In fact, one-in-five car crashes are now related to driver distraction, and texting while driving makes a car accident 23 times more likely to occur! In 2016, there were over 109,000 traffic crashes in Texas involving distracted driving, resulting in over 3,000 serious injuries and at least 450 fatalities.
If that’s not enough to stop you, a new Texas law that goes into effect on September 1st states that if someone who is texting and driving causes an accident resulting in the serious bodily injury or death of another person, that driver can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. This new law makes it absolutely essential for your company to have a policy in place stipulating how and when your employees should communicate while using a vehicle.
Need help updating your business’s driving policy? Achilles Group can help you implement a hands-free device policy to ensure that your employees know the laws and drive as safely as possible, all while minimizing the company’s risk. Put those phones down until you’re out of the vehicle, and then call Achilles Group for assistance today!
