Distracted Driving

There is a degree of risk in everything we do in life. Driving is probably the single most risk-laden activity we undertake on a regular basis. Here are some tips for safe and defensive driving:

Cell Phone Safety
• When the situation allows, pull over to the side of the road to use your cell.
• Turn off your radio, fans, or anything else that may further divert your attention from the surrounding area. Heighten your awareness!
• Do not make or answer phone calls, create or read text messages while driving.
• It is against the law in Minnesota to use your text features of your phone while behind the wheel.

Map Reading
When it comes to service work and deliveries, map reading is part of the job. Please be responsible and avoid reading maps while driving. Look at the map for directions before heading out to the jobsite, and pull over if you need to refer to the map while driving. When using GPS, listen to directions, but do not spend time looking at the screen while you are driving.

Seat Belts
“Click it or ticket” in Minnesota—seat belt use is mandatory for drivers and occupants of company vehicles. Unbelted drivers and occupants are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed in the event of an accident. Air bags add another element of safety, but they can’t work properly if the driver isn’t properly restrained.

Tires and Brakes
Everyone knows that one of the main keys to safe driving is having a vehicle that can stop. If your brakes or tires needs service, please take the time to ensure these maintenance items are at the top of the list.

Common Driving Distractions
• Using a mobile device 
• Reading billboards and signs 
• Eating and drinking  
• Shaving or fixing hair
• Adjusting the radio 
• Talking to passengers 
• Applying makeup 
• Interacting with pets
• Using a GPS

Typical Accidents
There are three types of auto accidents that make up over 50% of all reports from contractors in the construction industry.

• Following too closely - The distance you travel behind other vehicles makes all of the difference. You should have a minimum of two seconds between your vehicle and the car in front of you. This is true at any speed.

• Intersections can be confusing. Other drivers can make errors. Be very careful. Anticipate light changes, and yield to other drivers who have the right of way.

• Backing accidents - If possible, avoid backing service vehicles such as vans or stake trucks. If you can’t avoid backing, back into your parking spot when you arrive at your destination. Things can change during the day when you’re on a jobsite. Use a spotter if your view to the rear is obstructed, and make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted.

Fatigue
Have your ever felt your eyelids drooping or experienced a fleeting moment of inattention behind the wheel? Believe it or not, most driver fatigue accidents occurred when drivers were behind the wheel less than two hours. This means that work and sleep schedules are involved in preventing this type of accident. Accident rates peak in the mid-afternoon when alertness dips. Tired? Pull over and take a 10-minute nap. You might prevent an accident. Or, roll down the window, turn up the radio, and get some caffeine. Look at it this way…24 hours without sleep corresponds to a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.1 percent, which is legally drunk!