Today’s business environment requires fast response times, diligent reputation management, and near-constant communication. The near-total ubiquity of cell phones has increased our connectivity and productivity, but there are also risks involved. A lack of work-life balance, the erosion of privacy at work, and the need to be in touch anytime, anywhere can create problems for employers and workers alike and hinder productivity instead of boosting it.
Of particular concern is distracted driving. Over half of Americans under 30 admit to using their cell phones while behind the wheel of a vehicle, a practice restricted in some states and banned in others. Most people who text and drive do so knowing that it’s illegal and dangerous, yet they do it anyway. So, how big of a problem is this, and how can it be addressed?
Why Workers Feel Pressured
In the wake of the mass disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, motorists are more stressed than ever before. A report from Travelers Insurance has some sobering statistics:
- 30% of drivers report being more stressed behind the wheel than before the pandemic. Over half feel that other drivers have become more aggressive.
- 86% of employers expect employees to respond to work messages even after hours.
- Nearly half of drivers admit to accepting a work call or text while behind the wheel. Often, this is because they suspect it might be a work emergency or their boss will be upset if a message isn’t responded to promptly.
These numbers become grimmer when you take into account the statistics from the NHTSA on distracted driving:
- About 3,000 traffic fatalities a year occur because of distracted driving. That’s nearly 9% of all road fatalities and approximately nine people a day.
- In 2020 alone, 324,652 people were injured in a vehicle accident involving distracted driving.
- Phone use in vehicles has risen 30% since 2020.
- Taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds at 55 mph is the same as traveling the entire length of a football field without looking.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Indeed, the “always-on” work culture—which expects employees to be immediately available at any given time—plays a large part in the rise of distracted driving fatalities. The rapid pace at which information flows in the 21st century has led us to expect instant gratification and updates on demand, particularly in the business world, where emergencies require prompt attention.
However, workplace pressure is far from the sole driver of this issue. According to this Distracted Driving Report by Susan Meyer at The Zebra, almost half of drivers admit to distracted driving even though they know both the dangers and the possible legal consequences. The use of mobile devices in the car has also risen sharply among younger demographics:
Millennials and Gen Z are the most likely to send and receive text messages while driving (55%), while Boomers are the least likely (33%)
Unfortunately, many drivers—especially younger ones—can easily overestimate their own skills when it comes to driving and texting. Younger drivers can be especially susceptible, as they’ve grown up with cell phones and are likely to judge themselves as capable of handling driving, texting, navigating, and using apps simultaneously. This is especially true if they feel that activity is necessary for work.
But the mental effects of constant connection — the “always-on” work culture — can be just as dangerous as the physical dangers and legal risks. Over time, the impact of a toxic workplace culture can hinder productivity and even drive employees away. Not to mention, having a vital employee get injured (or worse) in a car accident because they were texting and driving can have enormous emotional and financial fallout.
What Employers Can Do
One of the best ways to address this issue within your own company is to have a clearly delineated distracted driving policy. Then, both employers and employees alike know exactly what to expect. For example:
- Encourage employees to turn off their cell phones or activate the “do not disturb” feature while driving.
- Lead by example, and don’t engage in distracted driving yourself. Likewise, don’t text or call employees when you know for a fact they’re on the road.
- Build any driving-related tasks into the work schedule so employees don’t feel pressured or compelled to take on work tasks during their lunch break.
- For jobs requiring a great deal of driving, integrate “pull over times” where driving employees can pull over or park and read emails, return calls, and otherwise do any phone-related tasks. Ideally, this should be separate from regular break times or other downtime.
As with any workplace policy, it’s best to measure the potential gains — financial or otherwise — against the possible losses. Where the safety of employees is concerned, always err on the side of caution.
