Labor & Employment Law

Ban on Cell Phones While Driving

The state of New Jersey is have a nice time patting itself on the back regarding what it touts as the success of its hand-free cell phone ban.  About a year ago, the state made driving with a hand held cell phone a primary offense which means that instead of trying to find another reason to pull you over if you were talking with a hand-held cell phone, they can now target the cell phone offender without another violation.  The result has been about 109,000 summons.  Those adding comments to the news article are annoyed that there hasn't been a claim of saved lives, but perhaps just more revenue for the state through summonses.  Here in New York, I see more drivers than not yammering away on their cell phones.  Every time I see someone driving a bit "off," I invariably notice he/she is  yakking away on a cell phone plastered to the ear.  And, I can tell you from my own experience having one car with an integrated bluetooth enabled system and one without, I dread talking on the phone in the one without due to the distraction of making and answering calls, even with a headset.

So for those of us responsible for human resources policies, make sure yours addresses driving with cell phones and complying with state and local laws.

Full post as published by Strategic HR Lawyer on March 02, 2009 (boomark / email).