Distracted driving: A year-round call to action for construction fleets

April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, an annual campaign led by the National Safety Council (NSC) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reduce preventable crashes caused by driver inattention.¹ According to the NSC, distracted driving kills an average of nine people every day on U.S. roads, and new in vehicle technologies are making drivers more distracted than ever.²

Nationwide’s research also highlights how widespread the issue has become. In a Nationwide survey of commercial drivers, 7 in 10 said drivers on the road are more distracted and more aggressive than just one year ago.³ The goal of this awareness month is simple: remind every driver that when they’re behind the wheel, the only job is to drive.

For construction fleets, the stakes are even higher. Rear end collisions remain one of the most frequent and costly incidents in the industry, often fueled by a combination of heavier vehicles, tight schedules, and frequent stops. Data shows that transportation related deaths are consistently the leading cause of workplace fatalities¹, a stark reminder of how quickly a few seconds of inattention can escalate into a serious or fatal crash.

Why construction fleets are uniquely exposed

Construction vehicles frequently carry heavy loads, tow trailers, make frequent stops for service and operate in congested work zones. When distractions like cell phones, GPS adjustments, or work related calls are added to the mix, the risk of rear end collisions increases dramatically. This makes April an ideal time for contractors to refresh expectations, reinforce safe driving practices, and focus on the preventable nature of these crashes.

Steps companies and drivers can take

The following are practical actions that can help reduce distracted driving risks:

1. Eliminate cell phone distractions

• Store the phone in the glove box, bag or center console to reduce temptation.
• Avoid both handheld and hands free use. NSC highlights that even hands free technology still distracts the brain.²

2. Strengthen company policies

• Adopt or update a no phone use while driving policy.
• Ensure policies apply to both handheld and hands free devices.

3. Reinforce defensive driving

• Teach and require proper following distances.
• Remind drivers that heavier vehicles and trailers need significantly more stopping time.

4. Reduce in cab distractions

• Pre-program GPS before driving.
• Secure tools, paperwork, and equipment to avoid shifting items drawing attention.

5. Use technology to support safe driving

• Telematics and in cab alerts can identify risky behaviors such as hard braking or phone use. These systems help coach drivers before incidents occur, ensuring consistent improvement.
• As you are replacing fleet vehicles, prioritize those with safe driving features such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

A month of awareness, a year round responsibility

While April is a dedicated window to spotlight distracted driving, both NSC and NHTSA emphasize that lasting change requires ongoing training, reinforcement, and leadership in every organization. Ending distracted driving is everyone’s responsibility, and resources are available year round to help strengthen safe driving culture.

This April, use the national spotlight as a catalyst, but commit to keeping your efforts going all year to protect your people, your fleet and your business.

Resources

• Commercial fleet safety: Distracted driving (PDF) 
• Rear-end collision prevention
• National Safety Council: Distracted Driving Awareness
• Nationwide Toolbox Talks

Sources