WorkSafeBC

Occupational motor vehicle incidents (MVIs) are the number one cause of traumatic worker deaths in British Columbia; on average, 30 workers are killed each year.

Operating a motor vehicle requires a driver's full attention. Twenty-five per cent of all vehicle crashes that occur annually in B.C. can be attributed to distracted driving. Wireless devices, such as cell phones, are the number one cause of these distractions. Whatever the reason, distractions create entirely preventable hazards to occupational drivers and the public, and can adversely affect a company's performance and reputation.

Resources for your workplace

Employers, supervisors, and drivers can take steps to reduce the risk. Download the following resources and make them available to your colleagues:

• Sample company policy (PDF 96 KB)
  This guidance document aims to assist employers to develop a company policy on distracted driving and to increase awareness of the risks.
• What employers need to know (PDF 321 KB)
  
• What supervisors need to know (PDF 321 KB)
  
• What workers need to know (PDF 308 KB)
  

View / download the free videos

These videos underscore the dangers faced by occupational drivers who are inattentive when behind the wheel.

View / download the poster

Print (low resolution) PDF (275 KB)  Print (high resolution) PDF (1.3 MB)

WorkSafe Magazine article

WorkSafeBC news release

Other related information

• ICBC The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
  ICBC news release dated October 6, 2011
• Preventable.ca The Community Against Preventable Injuries
• BCAA Road Safety Foundation
• Drive Cell Safe
• Leave the Phone Alone
• Focus Driven Advocates for Cell-Free Driving
• NETS Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
• Distraction.Gov Official US government website for distracted driving
• DropItAndDrive.com

Articles and websites

• Deborah Whistler, Fleet Owner, "NTSB calls for cellphone ban", September 14, 2011
• Canadian Press, CBC News, "B.C. motorists say texting while driving is risky: But about nine per cent still admit to doing it", August 30, 2011
• Lyle Fisher, News1130, "Police cracking down on distracted driving", August 26, 2011
• Bengt Halvorson, The Car Connection, "Fleet solutions targeting distracted driving on company time", March 7, 2011
• Car Talk, Driver Distraction Center
• ROSPA, Stopping Distances

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