Tool Kit
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in BC. It’s also preventable. And it’s not just about phone use. There are many potential distractions. Employers and drivers can use our tips, distracted driving policy template, and other resources to help reduce the risk.
What is distracted driving?
It’s anything that reduces a driver’s focus on their driving— even for a moment. Phones are a well-known distraction, even if they’re used hands-free. But there are many others, including:
- Using any electronic device, such as a smartwatch or GPS
- Adjusting the vehicle seat, mirrors, or entertainment system
- Eating or drinking, smoking, vaping
- Talking with passengers or dealing with restless children
- Reading (e.g. books, maps)
- Grooming
- Daydreaming or thinking about things that have nothing to do with driving
Distractions can be something we hear, see, touch, or think about. They can include any or all of the 4 types of sensory cues:
Drivers need to take in and respond to what they see in their driving environment. They need to quickly distinguish between information that’s important to their driving decisions and information that’s irrelevant or competes for their attention. For example, drivers need to see and obey a stop sign but avoid reading roadside advertising signs.
Anything that causes a driver to take their hands off the steering wheel or restricts their ability to properly operate vehicle controls is a manual distraction. Examples include texting, holding a coffee cup, or reaching for something on the next seat or the floor.
Drivers aren’t focused if they’re thinking about something other than driving. Daydreaming at a stop light and zoning out on a monotonous drive are common examples. Dwelling on work deadlines, the hockey game, or a disagreement with a partner also have nothing to do with the road and traffic ahead.
Sounds and noises can consume a driver’s attention. Quiet music may soothe nerves, but loud music can make it hard to hear sirens, car horns, or a train whistle. Listening intently to a loud podcast can generate both auditory and cognitive distraction as you focus on the story.
Why distractions are risky
Distractions impair a driver’s ability to safely plan and execute necessary driving actions. The consequences can be grave. Distracted driving is a contributing factor in 29% of all fatal crashes in BC, according to ICBC.
It’s a myth that our brain can multi-task. It manages tasks sequentially, switching attention from one task or thought to the next. Driving involves a complex series of decisions and tasks. It requires drivers to receive, process, and act upon a lot of information. Dealing with distracting thoughts or tasks that aren’t relevant to driving further taxes the brain and makes the trip that much more exhausting.
More importantly, distractions cause drivers to ignore or completely miss important driving cues. They may not notice a hazard or they might see it later than they should, such as a person or animal crossing the road or a vehicle changing lanes. Their brain may receive crucial information incompletely or incorrectly. This impairs their ability to make correct decisions and react quickly.
Phone use increases crash risk
Phones are one of the most common driving distractions. Drivers are 3.6 times more likely to crash when they’re on their phone. Many crashes and near misses in roadside work zones are caused by phone use.
Research suggests that texting is the new drunk driving. A distracted driver can function — or malfunction — in much the same way a drunk driver does. Both have impaired capabilities and judgment. Both have the potential to cause serious injury to themselves and others on the road.
Research also shows that hands-free does not mean distraction-free. Hands-free devices and hand-held devices both cause cognitive distraction.
The laws for phone use while driving
BC law prohibits texting while driving, including at a red light. It allows hands-free use of phones or other electronic devices only if all of the following conditions are met:
- The device is not held or operated by hand, except for one touch to start, accept and/or end a call.
- Any further operations are voice-activated.
- Any earpieces are worn in one ear only and are placed in the ear before driving.
- The device is securely fixed to the vehicle or worn securely on the person’s body, and is within easy reach of the driver’s seat.
- The device is installed so it does not obstruct the driver’s view of the front or sides of the vehicle or interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle
The penalties for distracted driving
Distracted drivers can be ticketed and fined $368. Every ticket also adds 4 penalty points to their driving record. Drivers with 4 or more points at the end of a 12-month period pay a premium on their insurance. Drivers may also have to pay a premium if they get more than one distracted driving ticket in a 3-year period.
Tips for employers
No matter how much or how little they drive, anyone in your organization who gets behind the wheel can be at risk. This includes, for example, full-time truck drivers and couriers, as well as managers, warehouse workers, office staff, and sales reps who might drive occasionally.
It’s important to remember that most distracted driving is preventable. And preventing crashes can help protect your organization from increased insurance premiums, possible lawsuit expenses, lost productivity, negative publicity, and a decrease in employee morale.
You can take action to reduce distractions. Here are steps employers can take to help reduce the risk:
Use our Preventing Distracted Driving Tailgate Meeting Guide (PDF 246KB) to lead a discussion with your staff. It identifies key points to talk about and suggests activities that encourage employees to eliminate distractions while they drive.
Have employees take our Distracted Driving Quiz for Drivers and review BC’s law on using electronic devices while driving.
Put reminders in work vehicles. You can get distracted driving stickers at participating ICBC Driver Licensing and Autoplan broker offices, or order stickers in bulk.
Policies and procedures set out the expectations in your workplace. Use our Distracted Driving Policy Template (Word 32KB) as a starting point to create the guidelines. Follow these steps:
- Talk with your joint occupational health and safety committee or your health and safety representative and your employees who drive. Get their input.
- Add, delete, or change any wording in the template so it fits your workplace. For example, you have the authority to restrict phone use during work hours even when employees use their own vehicles. Many organizations have simply banned the use of all phones while driving.
- When your policy is ready, meet with your employees to explain it and answer their questions.
- Have employees sign the policy to show they understand and agree to follow it
- Give a copy of the signed policy to the employee and put a copy in their personnel file.
Review the policy annually to make sure it still fits your workplace circumstances.
To be effective, a policy needs to be clearly communicated, understood by your drivers, and consistently enforced.
Use our Communications Planning Form (PDF 167KB) for ideas on how to help share the information and deliver regular reminders. Ask employees questions to make sure they understand what the policy requires them to do and not do. Require them to report any tickets they receive for distracted driving on the job. Have supervisors do periodic spot checks.
Your management team must genuinely promote and support your policy for it to gain acceptance among employees. During safety meetings, your organization’s leaders need to talk about what the policy looks like in action. They need to discuss it in the boardroom, and they need to stop by the coffee room to chat about it with the crew. Learn more about creating a robust road safety culture.
Your distracted driving policy should apply to everyone across the organization. Employees need to know that managers and supervisors are held to the same standards when they drive. Model expected behaviours and lead by good example.
Don’t make calls while on the road. Avoid contacting your drivers unless it’s an emergency. If you do need to send them information, require drivers to pull over before returning the call or reading the text.
Have your drivers create an “I’m driving so please leave a message” voice message before they begin driving, or to set their phones on Do Not Disturb. Instruct them to safely pull over and park if they need to take a call, answer a text, or check voicemail. If it’s not work-related, restrict phones checks to break times.
Invite your drivers to help you set goals for eliminating distracted driving. Provide incentives and recognize and reward drivers who consistently demonstrate safe driving practices.
Review our Managing Driving Distractions in Your Workplace Webinar, then take our short Distracted Driving Quiz for Employers to test your knowledge.
Tips for drivers
You can be distracted even when driving for only a few minutes. Here are some steps you can take to help reduce your risk:
On the road, the smartest phone is one that’s turned off. So shut yours off before driving. Even hands-free operation of your device can put you at risk. It reduces manual distraction but not cognitive distraction.
- Place your phone securely in its cradle or the glove box.
- Set it so that any incoming calls go directly to voice mail.
- Record a phone message telling callers that you are busy driving and will call back once you can safely pull over.
- Safely pull over if you have to send or respond to a text or call.
- Don’t text when you’re stopped in traffic or at a traffic light.
- Securely mount the device in a readily visible location. It can’t reduce your view of the area around your vehicle.
- Program your route before you set out on the trip. Take note of key streets and intersections. Rehearse the directions.
- Pull over to check directions or if you need to select a different route or destination.
- Avoid using speech recognition features to choose songs.
- Don’t display video images.
- Pre-program your playlist before setting out. If you need to select a new playlist, find a safe place and pull over.
- Eat or have a snack before driving.
- Plan to stop for a snack every 2 hours. Choose a safe spot to pull over. Avoid doing it near intersections, school zones, construction zones and merge lanes.
- Pause the conversation at critical driving moments.
- Involve passengers. Get them to watch the traffic, handle phone calls, be your navigator, and control music selection.
Take care of your grooming needs before you get in the vehicle.
- Don’t groom yourself while stopped at red lights. Find a safe place to pull over before reaching for makeup, a razor, etc.
- Keep grooming items out of reach. Put them in the glove box or back seat to avoid the temptation to use them when driving
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To learn more, review our Distracted Driving: More Than Just Phones Webinar.