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Some Important Facts
According to the 2017 Travelers Risk Index, it was indicated that 30% of all businesses worry “a great deal” or “some” about distracted driving putting their companys at risk.  Yet, the data also showed that 27% of employees who drive in the course of their work day reported that their boss has called and/or texted even though their bosses knew they were driving.*  

The other key fact to note is ...

that only 27% of employers reported having a formal distracted driving policy in place that is regularly communicated and enforced with consequences.  According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Hazard Association), more workers are killed every year in motor vehicle crashes than any other cause.  Business owners and managers in Connecticut can help to reduce these occurrences, protect people, and protect their business by constructing, implementing, and enforcing a distracted driving policy and securing the right type of insurance for their employees who drive.       


Reasons to Act Today


V.F. McNeil Insurance is urging business owners to consider the potential dangers and costs associated with vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving, primarily mobile phone usage.  The risk of human life is a crucial enough reason to start a formal distracted driving policy for your company.  

At the same time, safe driving helps to protect your bottom line.  We can’t ignore the potential costs associated with distracted driving accidents involving employees, such as soaring commercial auto insurance rates, increased Worker’s Compensation claims and experience rating increases, punitive damages, decreased productivity, and reputational damage, to name a few.  If you haven’t constructed a formal policy, it’s time to include this into your business planning process.  

Resources to Help You Get Started
Creating a formal, written policy should be the foundation of your prevention program and it should apply to everyone.  Clearly communicating the guidelines of the policy on a regular basis should be the next step.  Require your employees to be accountable by signing off on reading and understanding your new policy.  Be sure to communicate the consequences of not adhering to the policy and be willing to enforce the consequences.

Also, it’s helpful to keep awareness top of mind.  Consider scheduled emails, workplace signage, and training for your staff.  Managers and owners should lead by example and refrain from calling or texting employees while on the road.  

Contact Us for More Information

For additional resources, you can contact V.F. McNeil Insurance at (203) 481-2684 regarding your business insurance and find out what our insurance carriers can provide to help start a formal distracted driving policy today.  You can also view OSHA’s Distracted Driving: No Texting brochure to learn what’s expected of employers and to access additional resources for your business.  

About V.F. McNeil Insurance


Here’s what clients are saying about V.F. McNeil Insurance. “Great agency for your insurance needs!  Always professional and so fast and easy to work with, very different from the other agencies we have used in the past. They go above and beyond to find the best prices too!” ABA PC of Wallingford, CT. 


*https://www.travelers.com/iw-documents/resources/risk-index/2017-report.pdf

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