As the pressure grows to prevent drivers using mobile phones at the wheel, one technology boss is encouraging firms not to be complacent about road safety compliance – even if they have existing policies in place.
The fine for being caught using a hand-held phone while driving was increased earlier this year from £60 to £100 plus three penalty points on your licence, with heavy goods vehicle drivers facing fines of up to £2,500.
Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin MP recently called for a police crackdown on drivers using mobile phones.
With the spotlight firmly on road safety, iPointlive director Steve Cole has called for firms to think carefully about how they manage the welfare of their fleet drivers.
Cole said: “Every week in the media there’s another story about an accident caused by a driver who was distracted by using their mobile phone at the wheel - often with tragic consequences.
“I wholeheartedly support calls from the Transport Minister for a police crackdown on the use of mobile phones by drivers. The increase in fines is also a welcome step in the right direction.
“But companies also need to take steps to ensure mobile employees are not risking their own lives or those of others by using their phones while driving.
“Lots of firms have a road safety policy in place – but many will have no way of ensuring their drivers are following it. Various legislation, including the Corporate Manslaughter Act, means employers must show they have taken all reasonable steps to ensure their policies are being adhered to.”
Midlands-based technology form iPointlive recently launched new software enabling businesses to monitor, manage and protect mobile employees directly via their mobile phones.
The Mobile Employee Management software is one of the first fully-automated apps on the market to turn GPS-enabled phones into monitoring devices. The software is able to detect whether or not phones are used on journeys during working hours.
“By going the extra mile and implementing an intelligent employee monitoring system such as iPointlive to prevent mobile phone use when driving, fleet managers can be confident that they are not only complying with their Duty of Care, but are also offering their employees the most robust road safety protection available,” added Cole.
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