Don’t text and drive this Christmas

With the annual Drink Drive campaign in full swing, technology firm iPointlive is reminding drivers to think about another peril when they get behind the wheel this festive season.

“Traditionally, there’s always a heavy emphasis on preventing drink driving at this time of the year, and rightly so,” said iPointlive director Steve Cole.

“But drivers, and those companies who employ them, should also think about adopting an additional safety message this year – Don’t Text and Drive.

“Many drivers who wouldn’t dream of drink driving think nothing of using their mobile phone at the wheel, but research has shown that it can be as dangerous as being a quarter over the legal drink drive limit.

“Texting or using your phone to make calls whilst driving is not only illegal, it can have catastrophic consequences.”

Latest figures released by the DVLA in December show that more than half a million drivers have been caught and fined for using their phones while driving.

Cole said firms need to be aware of the possible consequences they could face if their employees were caught using the phone while driving during work time.

He said: “In addition to the driver getting prosecuted for dangerous driving, if they commit the offence during work hours, companies could also face huge fines for failing to comply with health and safety legislation, or for failure in their duty of care as an employer.

“By employing smart solutions, such as our Mobile Employee Management app, employers can be sure that they have taken all precautions necessary to prevent the offence from happening in the first place."

When downloaded onto employees’ existing smartphones, iPointlive’s innovative app effectively monitors journeys made by workers - whether they are on foot, in company or private vehicles or on public transport.

The app also has the ability to monitor inappropriate driving behaviour, such as speeding, texting or making calls while driving.

All information collected is relayed in real-time via an internet-based reporting suite, allowing managers to make important business decisions and solve problems as and when they arise.