Employers Paying A Heavy Cost For Cell Phone-Related Car Accidents Caused By Their Employees

Judges and Juries across the nation have issued large awards against employers for cell phone-related car accidents that were caused by their employees. While some drivers believe that cell phone use poses no greater danger than listening to the radio, evidence has shown otherwise. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that using a cell phone while driving makes a driver four times more likely to get into an accident.
Companies can be held responsible in cell phone-related accidents if an employee is: a) driving a company car; b) driving a private car on company business; c) using a company cell phone, regardless of whether it’s a company or private call; or d) using a private cell phone for company business. In an effort to curtail such accidents and promote workplace safety , many Fortune 500 companies have banned employees from using cell phones while driving.

For more information, please see this article: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/06/05/cell-phone-driving