Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1534664
Pallet C e nt ral • May -Ju ne 2 0 25 41 Adele Abrams, Esq., ASP, CMSP, is Senior Counsel in the Washington, DC, office of Li ler Mendelson PC, where she is part of the firm's Occupa onal Safety and Health group and leads the na onal MSHA prac ce. Adele provides OSHA/MSHA case representa on, training, and consulta ve services on safety and employment law. She can be reached at safetylawyer@gmail.com or 301-613-7498. As Mark Twain once said, "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." ere are a lot of misconceptions about distracted driving. Do you know what the facts are? Have you communicated them to your drivers? 1. Hands-Free Devices Like Earbuds And Talk-To- Text Features Are Much Safer Than Handling Your Phone While Driving. Answer: False! Research shows that any driver use of electronic devices increases their cognitive distraction, meaning they can't fully focus on driving. 2. At 55 Mph, Taking Your Eyes Off The Road For Five Seconds Is Like Driving The Length Of A Football Field With Your Eyes Closed. Answer: True! You' ll travel more than 100 yards in just 5 seconds of inattention. 3. Ea ng While Driving Can Be A Dangerous Distrac on. Answer: True! Eating while driving takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, and your mind off of driving. Wait until you're safely parked to eat, even if it's just a snack. For employers, consider that your drivers will have the need to eat and afford them appropriate rest breaks where they can do so safely. 4. Distracted Driving Is Not A Workplace Problem. Answer: False! Distracted driving is dangerous both on and off the job. Employers are being held liable up to $25 million for employee crashes, even when employees use hands-free devices. 5. Distracted Driving Only Affects The People Inside The Vehicle. Answer: False! Distracted driving is dangerous for those inside and outside the car or truck, including other drivers and passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Take The Quiz. Are These True Or False?