Ready Mixed Producers Curtail DriversÌ On-Road Cell Phone Usage

Safety, fleet and equipment managers, along with other members of NRMCA’s Operations, Environmental & Safety Committee, have increasingly cited company bans on drivers’ use of cell phones while operating mixer trucks

Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; CP staff; National Safety Council
Safety, fleet and equipment managers, along with other members of NRMCA’s Operations, Environmental & Safety Committee, have increasingly cited company bans on driversÌ use of cell phones while operating mixer trucks. OES Committee membersÌ actions to promote safe driving practices are consistent with businesses surveyed by the National Safety Council, which is calling for a nationwide ban on cell phone usage by commercial and passenger vehicle drivers.

Many businesses have acknowledged the injuries and costs associated with vehicular cell phone use, NSC notes, and adopted policies barring employees from such activity. Among Council member businesses surveyed, 45 percent cited company policies prohibiting on-road cell phone use. Of those, 85 percent said the policies make no difference in business productivity. Stopping cell phone use while driving wonÌt happen overnight, concedes NSC President Janet Froetscher, adding, There will be a day when we look back and wonder how we could have been so reckless with our cell phones and texting devices.

A fact sheet, data resources and other information concerning cell phone use while driving are available at distracteddriving.nsc.org.