Powering Productivity: Mastering Cell Phone Control for Service Companies
Blog 5: Distracted Driving – Managing the Risks of Mobile Phone Use on the Road
For service companies, field employees are constantly on the move, managing schedules, responding to customer requests, and communicating with the office. However, mobile phone use while driving poses significant risks—not just to employees’ safety, but to the business itself. The dangers of distracted driving can lead to severe consequences, including accidents, injuries, legal liability, and financial loss.
The Real Cost of Distracted Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving was responsible for over 3,000 deaths in 2020. Service employees, who rely heavily on mobile phones for communication, are particularly vulnerable to these risks. Whether answering a customer text, coordinating with the office, or accessing apps for job scheduling, the temptation to use mobile devices on the road can have dangerous, even deadly, consequences.
For businesses, distracted driving incidents can result in more than just safety concerns. They can lead to:
Company liability if an employee is at fault in an accident while using a phone.
Legal costs and potential lawsuits.
Higher insurance premiums following traffic incidents.
Lost productivity from injured employees and damaged equipment.
To address these risks, service companies must implement robust solutions to lock down mobile devices while employees are driving.
Top 3 Solutions to Lock Down Phones in Motion (With Compliance Reporting)
Solutions like Apple’s Driving Focus and Android’s Driving Mode (now discontinued) are a great start, but end users can easily disable them, and they do nothing to alert the business on violations.
The good news is that several technology-driven solutions can help businesses reduce the risks of distracted driving by locking down phones in motion and ensuring compliance. Here are the top three options for service companies looking to protect their teams and reduce liability.
1. TRUCE Software
https://trucesoftware.com/fleet-distracted-driving/
TRUCE Software is a leading solution for managing mobile device usage in the workplace, especially for employees on the road. TRUCE uses context-based technology to restrict access to certain apps and features when a vehicle is in motion, effectively locking down non-essential functions while allowing GPS and hands-free calling.
Key features include:
Dynamic enforcement of company mobile policies based on location, time, or activity.
Automatic lockdown of texting, emails, and apps when an employee is driving.
Compliance reporting, allowing businesses to monitor and ensure that employees adhere to mobile usage policies.
Integration with various MDM platforms to provide a seamless solution for managing and securing devices.
For service companies, TRUCE Software offers a powerful way to improve safety on the road and maintain control over mobile device usage.
2. SafeDrivePod
https://www.safedrivepod.com/en-gb/solutions/safedrivefocus
SafeDrivePod is another highly effective tool for preventing mobile phone use while driving. This hardware-based solution uses a small pod that can be installed in company vehicles, creating a Bluetooth connection with the employee’s mobile device. Once the vehicle is in motion, SafeDrivePod automatically disables access to distracting apps, allowing only essential functions like navigation.
Features include:
Automatic lock on the phone screen when the vehicle is moving, with no need for employee interaction.
Reports and dashboards that allow employers to monitor compliance and ensure that phones remain locked during driving time.
Easy integration with existing company phone policies and MDM platforms.
SafeDrivePod’s focus on hands-free operation makes it ideal for service companies that want a simple and effective solution for distracted driving prevention, backed by comprehensive compliance reports.
3. Fleet Complete’s Vision Mobile
https://www.fleetcomplete.com/products/fleet-dash-camera/
For companies managing larger fleets, Fleet Complete’s Vision Mobile system offers a comprehensive solution for preventing distracted driving. This telematics-driven platform uses both in-vehicle cameras and GPS technology to monitor driver behavior, automatically locking down mobile devices and sending alerts if unsafe driving patterns are detected.
Key features include:
Lockdown of mobile devices when the system detects vehicle motion.
Real-time driver monitoring through in-cab cameras, ensuring that drivers are focused on the road.
Automatic reporting of driving behavior and mobile phone usage, providing compliance data and insights for management.
Integration with MDM platforms for a complete mobile management solution.
Fleet Complete’s Vision Mobile is ideal for service companies that need a high-tech, data-driven approach to managing mobile device usage and ensuring driver safety.
Implementing Policies to Reinforce Technology
While these technology solutions provide essential tools to lock down mobile devices while driving, employer policies are critical in reinforcing safe driving behavior. Companies should create clear policies that prohibit mobile phone use behind the wheel, even with hands-free devices, and provide ongoing training to employees about the dangers of distracted driving.
In addition, management should establish consequences for non-compliance, ensuring that employees understand the seriousness of violating the company’s mobile use policy while driving. By combining technology with strong policy enforcement, companies can significantly reduce the risks associated with distracted driving.
Conclusion: Take Control of Distracted Driving Today
Distracted driving is a serious risk for service companies, but with the right technology and policies, businesses can take control. Solutions like TRUCE Software, SafeDrivePod, and Fleet Complete’s Vision Mobile provide the tools needed to lock down mobile devices in motion and ensure compliance, helping companies protect their employees, reduce liability, and maintain a culture of safety.
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore how Virtual Ride-Alongs can help service companies increase revenue while improving field operations. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay informed about how mobile technology can enhance your service company’s productivity.
