General Question on Cell Phones

Pablo

Pablo

Site Supporter
Jan 25, 2008
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Mississauga, Ontario
www.igosalesandmarketing.com
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What are most carrier's policies on cell phone use while driving (I get it's illegal and the policy is probably "don't do it")

Is it as simple as "don't do it" or are there exceptions, how do you monitor or enforce etc. Do you provide hands free devices, or even allow them?

The reason I ask is I have a customer who's interested in how the industry is dealing with this issue. Thought I'd poll the experts here at Inside Transport.
:D
 
Pablo said:
What are most carrier's policies on cell phone use while driving (I get it's illegal and the policy is probably "don't do it")

Is it as simple as "don't do it" or are there exceptions, how do you monitor or enforce etc. Do you provide hands free devices, or even allow them?

The reason I ask is I have a customer who's interested in how the industry is dealing with this issue. Thought I'd poll the experts here at Inside Transport.
:D
Click to expand...

Our drivers either have wireless (bluetooth) or are instructed to pull over in a safe place, set the brakes then use the phone. We have a policy in effect they all must review and sign. All citations written to a driver fall under our reprimand policies.
 
We have a satelite system so we do not pay for phones, we have had all the drivers sign off that they use hands free in the truck and dispatchers are not suppose to talk if they know they are driving.
 
It's still in your best interests to have a written policy in place and signed by each driver.
Our company drivers are on 10-4 system and our O/O's on their cells. most of them are on a data package to receive e-mail.
Unless they are on bluetooth everyone is supposed to be ignoring the phones until a safe parking area is located.
Our dispatchers are instructed NOT to expect an immediate reply.
 
From my understanding of the law, if you do not have a policy in place stating that employees are not allowed to talk on the phone unless they are using a hands free device, the company can be sued along with the driver if an accident occurs. Best bet is to have a policy and have everyone sign that they will abide by the policy.
 
It's great to have a policy in place but if you do not strictly enforce it and prove that you do it will do you no good in a court of law. All's they would need is one driver to say that it was never enforced and that would be the end of it.
 
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