KSP 1.09 Texting While Driving & Distracted Driving Policy
PURPOSE: To avoid the unsafe practice of texting while driving or otherwise distracted while driving, and to reduce the risks of crashes, injuries, and fatalities of any Reliable Tank Line driver or others while in full compliance with the related FMCSRs. In developing the current regulations, the US DOT has identified three main types of distraction that occur while operating a motor vehicle: 1. Visual—taking your eyes off the road; 2. Manual—taking your hands off the wheel; and 3. Cognitive—taking your mind off driving. This policy is in effect to limit the risks associated with all three types of distraction. The procedure is as follows:
PROCEDURE:
- All drivers employed by Reliable Tank Line, LLC, shall comply with FMCSRs § 392.80 “Prohibition against texting,” and § 392.82 “Using a hand-held mobile telephone” which are both based on the following definition of “texting” as derived by the FMCSA rulemaking process:
- This policy also applies to all electronic devices, including smart phones, flip-phones, MP3 players, smart watches, tablets, and laptops. Similarly, drivers must avoid non-electronic device activities that can take their hands off the steering wheel or eyes and attention off the road, including reading, taking notes, looking up phone numbers.
- A violation shall be made evident by visual observation by Company personnel or by law enforcement warning or citation.
- A violation shall NOT occur for use of a one-touch, hands-free mounted electronic device while driving.
- To place a hand-held call or text, the driver must be parked with brakes set on the shoulder of the road or otherwise safely out of traffic. This provision does NOT include instances of waiting in slow traffic, stopped traffic or at traffic signals or railroad crossings.
- Not following this procedure carries the following penalties, in addition to being sent home the rest of the work shift:
“Texting means manually entering text into, or reading text from, an electronic device.
Texting includes (but is not limited to), short message services, e-mailing, instant messaging, a command or request to access a Web page, pressing more than a single button to initiate or terminate a call using a mobile telephone, or engaging in any other form of electronic text retrieval or entry, for present or future communication.”
PENALTIES:
1st Violation: 1-day suspension and $1,000 deduction from current period DSB Payout.
2nd Violation: 3-day suspension and loss of current period DSB Payout.
3rd Violation: further disciplinary action, up to and including, termination of employment.
