5 Ways to Prevent Texting & Driving

Statistics show how dangerous texting and driving can be. Cellphones factor into 1.6 million auto crashes annually. And sending a text message while driving makes a crash 23 times more likely to happen

The numbers alone show the dangers of texting and driving. So how are cell phones distracting? We've got the answers — and we’ve gathered some ways to prevent texting and driving in your fleet. Take a look.

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A Closer Look at Distracted Driving

Most individuals participate in some form of distracted driving, besides texting. This can involve eating behind the wheel or talking to passengers. What are some other distracted driving statistics? Forty-nine percent of adults reveal they text while driving. That's a lot! This increases the likelihood of texting-and-driving accidents.

A strong driver safety culture will ensure everyone knows how to avoid distracted driving and has the tools to do so. This culture begins with a commitment from management to enforce policies and provide staff with a strong driver safety solution. It’s one of the most effective ways to prevent texting and driving.

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How to Stop Texting & Driving

Texting and driving may appear to be a minor distraction. But at 55 mph, the 5 seconds spent sending or reading a text is the equivalent of driving through a football field with your eyes closed. So what are some of the ways to prevent texting and driving? Here are five ideas.

1. Establish a Driver Safety Culture

A strong driver safety culture needs a solid foundation from management. It all starts at the top, before you cascade the rules and policies that will influence your drivers' behavior. If they see that fleet managers and coaches are following safety rules such as not using phones while driving, then they will follow suit.

Make sure that all forms of distracted driving are emphasized as dangerous during the training. And show ways to prevent texting and driving through safety training videos. One way to control distractions is to put the cellphone out of sight and reach. Break down elements of other safe driving behaviors such as defensive driving to prevent texting-while-driving accidents.

2. Ensure Policy Visibility

Rules are useless if drivers don’t practice them under your fleet safety program. For every training program or one-on-one coaching, make sure your drivers understand the reason for your safe driving tips. For example, you could use a texting and driving safety video to clearly explain why this practice is dangerous.

Your driver safety program should also explain how your drivers will benefit from the policies, which will keep them at the forefront of their minds. Offer practical ways to prevent texting and driving. Explaining the benefits will provide valuable policy insight that ensures drivers will follow policies every time on the road. Don't forget to update policies with the latest statistics and practices in your field.

3. Start a Gamification Program

Gamification encourages healthy competition among your drivers. Set up game mechanics that will motivate them to work hard for incentives such as cash prizes or gift cards. Recognize your best-performing drivers with a monthly update of their rankings. According to Entrepreneur, recognition and appreciation are integral components of a winning reward system.

Announce your best-performing drivers in your company newsletter or send email updates. Highlight the positive behavior that led to their ranking, such as defensive driving or specific ways to prevent texting and driving. Ask them for safe driving tips they can share with their peers.

4. Use Technology

Harnessing technology — such as a video safety solution or fleet dash cam — is one of the most effective ways to prevent texting and driving. Netradyne Driver•i gathers data on the driver's performance and the underlying road conditions. The solution uses dash cam technology to gather the necessary data. Its powerful AI and edge computing technologies process the information in real time so you have full visibility into what's happening.

Whenever your driver glances at their notifications (when not driving, of course), the mobile app shows them how well they’re performing and encourages them to take steps to improve their performance. The solution recognizes all forms of distracted driving as they happen and warns drivers of their behavior so they can easily correct themselves and raise their driver scores.

5. Implement a Driver Coaching Program

Use technology to offer your drivers a less invasive but equally effective coaching program. Netradyne Driver•i sends out real-time reminders and notifications to help improve driver performance. Drivers also receive an alert whenever the app catches an instance of texting and driving. No need to involve a supervisor every time they're on the road.

The Driver•i Mobile app provides a GreenZoneâ score to help drivers keep track of their performance. The score is displayed in real time and includes tips on how to improve behaviors. With a consistent program in place, drivers and managers establish transparency and trust — and build a solid foundation for coaching and further improvement. This better working relationship is one of the hidden benefits of using dash cams.

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Final Thoughts on Ways to Prevent Texting & Driving

If you’re serious about finding ways to prevent texting and driving, you need to establish a driver safety program. Be sure to emphasize the dangers of this behavior as a leading cause of distracted driving. With the help of technology and consistent policies, your drivers can improve and protect lives on the road.

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