Companies Are Banning Employees From Texting While Driving Company Owned Automobiles

More and more companies have put policies in place that effectively forbid their employees from texting while driving company owned cars. This clearly indicates to employees that the company takes state bans on texting while driving seriously. By forbidding employees from texting while driving, such companies help reduce the incidences of distracted driving and road collisions.

Nationwide and Ford are two major companies that have taken the ban on texting while driving, or TWD, to heart. They’ve included such bans in company policies that make an employee subject to disciplinary action in the event they violate the clause on TWD. And new recruits are familiarized with company wide policies and procedures during induction training.

Over 111 million people work from their cars and many require a cell phone to communicate and keep in touch with colleagues, business associates and peers. It’s an indispensable tool for work and a critical component of the daily lives of sales and marketing personnel. Rather than demanding employees from using cell phones while driving, companies have merely forbidden texting while driving.

At Exxon, research has shown that employee productivity has not flagged as a result of the new policies. It’s become apparent that a driver does not really have to respond fully to every incoming text message and email while driving. And that most business related communication can actually be deferred a half hour until the driver finds a place to stop the car and return a call or reply to an SMS.

Having a hands-free cell phone with a mobile app that lets you listen to text is an ideal solution to keep employees connected with business while on the go. Here’s where the free BlackBerry app called DriveSafe.ly is a suitable alternative. It’s activated with just one touch and lets you listen to email that is spoken aloud in real time. So you’re still in the loop even while behind the wheel!