Learn to drive safely.
More than 40,000 people are killed on our nation’s roadways each year, with motor vehicle crashes being the number one cause of workplace fatalities and injuries. That’s why, in honor of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we want to share some tips for staying safe while driving.
No texting while driving.
Most motor vehicle crashes are caused by one of the Four ?D ?s: Distracted; Drowsy; Drunk; and Drugged.
First and foremost, you should never operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to the CDC, in 2015,10,265 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. If you are planning to drink, always have a safe plan to get home. Some good options include having a designated driver or calling a cab or, nowadays, Uber/Lyft.
Driving while drowsy is also very dangerous. If you are yawning or blinking frequently, have a difficult time remembering the past few miles driven, or hit the rumble strip on the side of the road, it’s important that you find a safe spot to pull over and get some rest. Drinking coffee or energy drinks is not a valid strategy. They may help you feel more alert, but their effects are temporary, and you may not be as alert as you think you are.
When it comes to distracted driving, few things are worse than cell phones. And while almost everyone has observed a distracted driver on the road, most of us don’t realize when we are distracted. To address the issue, many states have enacted laws: Talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving is banned in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
The advent of hands-free technology in recent years is not helping the matter. Most drivers (53%) believe vehicle “infotainment” dashboards and hands-free technology improve safety, but these features might be more about convenience than safety. Current thinking, supported by research, suggests the use of hands-free technology does have risks. To this end, some companies, such as Cargill, a large multi-national corporation with 150,000 employees worldwide, have gone so far as to ban the use of hands-free technology. You can learn more about those policies here.
Every distracted death is 100% preventable. Join with others to save lives by pledging to be an attentive driver. Additionally, you can demonstrate your commitment to safe driving by sharing your pledge on social media. To stay safe while driving, consider installing an app or device that blocks cell phone usage while driving, and sends the caller a friendly message expressing your commitment to safe driving.
Who takes care of your facility?
Here at C&W Services, safety is not simply one priority among others, but a core value. We have operated nearly eight years without a Serious OSHA violation, and our OSHA Recordable Incident Rates, both Total and Lost Time Rates, are far superior to (less than of) the industry averages.
Read more about how our commitment to work quality, including a resilient safety culture, is designed into the work we do for our clients.
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