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The Importance of Distracted Driving Awareness Month with STC

At STC, we are not only committed to keeping you safe on the job site, but also on the road. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which has quickly become one of the deadliest epidemics on our roads. In the age of technology, there are countless distractions that could lead to potentially fatal accidents. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping safe on the road during Distracted Driving Awareness Month from the safety experts at STC:

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Each year, we celebrate Distracted Driving Awareness Month to bring attention to the importance of driving safely. In 2019 alone, 3,142 people died behind the wheel due to distracted driving. This is a problem that not only affects the driver, but also passengers, other drivers and pedestrians who have no way to defend themselves from an oncoming vehicle. 

The Extent of Distracted Driving 

Distracted driving is more than just using your cell phone while driving. Whether it’s eating at the wheel, managing a navigation app or trying to store loose items in your vehicle, there are a large number of distractions that many people do not even consider. Basically, if you are doing anything in your vehicle that takes your attention away from the road, you are distracted. 

Driving Safety Tips from STC

As always, it’s crucial that you keep your eyes on the road at all times. This means saving that text for later, picking music before entering the vehicle and storing loose items before hitting the road. You never know when someone in front of you may hit their brakes or an animal may run into the middle of the road. It’s best practice to keep your attention on the road, always. 

No matter how you choose to protect yourself and others from traffic accidents caused by distracted driving, STC is always here to help your employees understand what it takes to stay safe. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help prepare your employees for every situation, on the road and on the job site. Want to learn more about how STC can benefit your business? Check out our blog today!

Photo Sourced from Getty Images: #1214872234

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Top 5 Driving Safety Tips for Distracted Driving Awareness Month

At STC, we believe that preserving human life means creating awareness around all aspects of workplace safety. In honor of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we will be highlighting the dangers of distracted driving and five of our favorite driving safety tips. Here is what you need to know about keeping your employees safe behind the wheel at work from the experts at STC:

1. Save Your Cell Phones for Emergencies Only

According to recent data, nearly 390,000 injuries, and 1 out of 4 car accidents, occur each year from texting and driving. Even something as simple as a phone call can take your eyes off the road for up to 5 seconds. To keep yourself and others safe on the road, limit cell phone usage to emergencies only. This will allow you to focus on the road to make quick, potentially life-saving decisions.

2. Drowsy Driving is More Dangerous Than You Think

Falling asleep at the wheel is far more common than most people think. After a long shift on the job or an early morning commute, drowsy driving can easily turn into asleep at the wheel. Up to 37% of U.S drivers have reported falling asleep while driving, so if this happens to you, pull over. You are much safer taking a quick nap in your car while parked than driving while drowsy.

3. Store Loose Gear Before Hitting the Road

When you are on the job, it is common to store loose work materials in your car during transport. If these materials are not secured properly, they will move around in your car causing distractions for the driver. Storing loose gear in a safe space where it will not move around is a simple way to ensure that you are not distracted or losing focus while driving.

4. Make Adjustments Before You Start Driving

Since many companies require employees to share the same work vehicles, it is easy for mirror and seat positions to need adjustments when you get in the car. To keep yourself safe while driving, it is essential that you make these adjustments before driving. Simply check mirrors, seat positions and GPS before starting your car to save yourself some trouble on the road.

5. Teach All Employees Driving Safety Tips

Lastly, it is critical that every employee that enters a company vehicle is trained on your company-mandated driving safety tips. These driving safety tips can save your lives and prevent your company from receiving legal trouble from improper training. You can create simple checkpoints for employees to ensure that all necessary safety measures are followed.

No matter how you choose to protect the lives of your employees, STC is here to help you implement every precaution you need for every situation. Our safety consulting services and instructor-led safety trainings are designed to make preserving human life simple. Want to learn more about keeping employees safe on the job? Check out the STC blog today!

Photo Sourced from Getty Images: #1170257623

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