Distracted Driving – steering you in the right direction

Driving for Better Business and Mike Hayward of Woodfines Solicitors provide a legal insight on Driver Distraction for those who manage drivers.

In 2022, 22 people were killed and 652 injured in road traffic collisions in Great Britain where the driver was assigned the contributory factor of using a mobile phone.

It is no excuse or defence to say that drivers had to use their device to take a work instruction or to update on a delivery. Fleet Managers should have a clear driving for work policy that includes not using methods of communication to their drivers that could lead to a device (phone or other handheld device) to be used when the vehicle is in motion, because that would infringe the law or could add to driver distraction.

It is correct to say that being caught using a handheld device could lead to a minimum of 6 points and a fixed penalty, but that in itself will potentially lead a vocational driver to be called to The Traffic Commissioner for losing their right as an HGV driver, or for others to have increased insurance premiums.

A company should have a clear policy of zero tolerance for any breach of the law in their driver handbook and driving for work policies, – and to do their bit by not expecting drivers to take or make calls or other communications.