04/27/2026
It's Safe Driving Month!
Driving is a high risk activity that always requires full attention. Using a phone while driving — even for a quick call or message — increases the risk of serious incidents and fatalities. Distracted driving is still the largest cause of fatal vehicle accidents. Distractions take three critical things away from safe driving:
*Eyes off the road
*Hands off the wheel
*Mind off driving
Using hands free options reduces physical distraction, but it does not eliminate risk. The safest option is always to stay fully focused on driving and limit interactions with your phone altogether. Most companies require all employees to leverage hands free options when using a phone while driving a company vehicle, or when driving for business. Furthermore, it’s the law.
What “Hands Free” Really Means
*You are not holding your phone
*Your hands stay on the wheel
*Your eyes stay on the road
*Your attention stays on driving
If a task takes your focus away from driving, it should wait until you are safely parked.
Safer Options to Reduce Distraction
If phone use is unavoidable, these tools can help reduce risk:
Bluetooth / Vehicle Hands Free Systems
*Allows calls without holding the phone
*Use voice commands only
*Apple CarPlay
Integrates phone functions into the vehicle display
Enables voice activated calling and navigation
Do not scroll, type, or search while moving
iPhone Focus Mode – “Driving Focus” (activated via iPhone>Settings)
Automatically silences notifications while driving
Can send automatic replies like “I’m driving right now”
Prevents temptation to check texts or emails
Best Practices for staying focused on the road:
Set up before you go: GPS, mirrors, music, reschedule calls if possible
Put the phone away and let calls go to voicemail — return them when stopped
Pull over safely if something needs your attention
No texting. No scrolling. No exceptions.
Remember: No message is more important than getting home safely.
Every serious driving incident is preventable. Staying hands free, eyes up, and focused protects you, your co workers, and everyone on the road.
