Mobile Phone Usage

1. Mobile Phone Usage Ryder Customer Safety and Loss Prevention

2. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 2 Mobile Phone Usage Introduction There are benefits to having a cell phone available while driving, but with those benefits comes increased risks. You cannot argue that a cell phone provides help and security to you and your loved ones. Being stranded on a remote stretch of highway can be very dangerous, and trying to wave down strangers for help is a scary situation. However, the improper use of a cell phone while driving has a far higher risk of negative consequences. The National Safety Council has issued a statement regarding cell phone use: “A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle and that best practice is to not use electronic devices including cell phones while driving. When on the road, drivers shall concentrate on safe and defensive driving and not on making or receiving phone calls, delivery of faxes, using computers, navigation systems, or other distracting influences. When a driver decides that it is safe to use such a device while driving, it should be with the understanding that negligent drivers be held accountable when distracted driving results in the injury or death of others.”

3. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 3 Mobile Phone Usage Frequently Asked Question: Q. Does cell phone use while driving cause traffic crashes? A. Research shows that driving while using a cell phone can pose a serious cognitive distraction and degrade driver performance. The data is insufficient to quantify crashes caused by cell phone use specifically, but NHTSA estimates that driver distraction from all sources contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.

4. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 4 Mobile Phone Usage Frequently Asked Questions Q. Is it safe to use hands-free (headset, speakerphone, or other device) cell phones while driving? A. While a hands-free device does allow a driver to keep both hands on the wheel, the device does not diminish the distractions associated with dialing. In addition, the available research indicates that whether it is a hands-free or hand-held cell phone, the cognitive distraction is significant enough to degrade a driver’s performance. This can cause a driver to miss key visual and audio cues needed to avoid a crash.

5. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 5 Mobile Phone Usage Frequently Asked Questions Q. In an emergency should I use my cell phone while driving? A. As a general rule, drivers should make every effort to move to a safe place off of the road before using a cell phone. However, in emergency situations a driver must use their judgment regarding the urgency of the situation and the necessity to use a cell phone while driving. Q. Can technology eliminate driver distractions? A. Undoubtedly, technology can help reduce the distractions related to cell phone use. However, no technology can completely eliminate these distractions.

6. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 6 Mobile Phone Usage Frequently Asked Questions Q. What do the studies say about the relative risk of cell phone use when compared to other tasks like eating or drinking? A. The current research does not provide a definitive answer as to which behavior is riskier. In a controlled study, comparing eating and operating a voice-activated cell phone to continuously operating a CD player, it was found that the CD player operation was more distracting than the other activities

7. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 7 Mobile Phone Usage Frequently Asked Questions Q. Is talking on a cell phone any worse than having a conversation with someone in the car? A. Any activity a driver engages while driving has the potential to distract the driver from the primary task of driving. Some research findings comparing cell phone use to passenger conversations while driving, show each to be equally risky, while others show cell phone use to be more risky. A significant difference between the two is the fact that a passenger can monitor the driving situation along with the driver and pause for, or alert the driver to, potential hazards, whereas a person on the other end of the phone line is unaware of the roadway situation.

8. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 8 Mobile Phone Usage Statistics In a test track study conducted by NHTSA, the results showed that manual dialing was about as distracting as grooming/eating, but less distracting than reading or changing CDs. It is also important to keep in mind that some activities are carried out more frequently and for longer periods of time and may result in greater risk.

9. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 9 Mobile Phone Usage Alternatives Hands-free devices – Allow a driver to keep both hands on the wheel, but looking for your hands free device when you wish to make or receive a call can overcome the beneficial aspects of using the device. Voice-Activated and Speed dialing– If set-up properly can reduce the distractions related to manually dialing numbers. Push-to-Talk – Devices that act like a radio can further reduce the distractions related to dialing, but generally require the driver to remove one hand from the wheel. In addition, the relative ease of using these devices can lead to more frequent and unnecessary calls. Voice mail and Caller ID – A driver is less likely to answer an incoming call while driving or in a hazardous situation if they know that a message or phone number will be left. Voice mail and caller id allow a driver to safely park a vehicle before returning the call.

10. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 10 Mobile Phone Usage Prohibited Practices Your company may prohibited you from using any types of mobile phones, including hands-free phones, while driving in potentially hazardous conditions including: Driving in heavy or congested traffic; Driving in construction zones; Driving on slippery roads; Driving in poor visibility (e.g., fog, rain, snow,); Driving in residential areas, school zones, or areas with children playing; Driving near railroad crossings; or in parking lots Driving in parking lots; Backing; or transporting H/M

11. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 11 Mobile Phone Usage EXCEPTIONS The only exceptions to using a mobile phone in the potentially hazardous conditions stated above are in times of emergency, such as: • Reporting collisions to emergency personnel, Calling law enforcement for assistance, Reporting road hazards to the authorities, or Notifying the authorities of erratic driver Before using a mobile phone for an emergency purpose, carefully determine if the call can be made safely.

12. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 12 Mobile Phone Usage Safe Operating Procedures Employer should train employees on this policy. Ensuring that the mobile phone safe operating procedures are implemented The following safe operating procedures must be implemented by managers to reduce the potential risks associated with mobile phones: If your employees have provided mobile phones or are reimbursed for mobile phone service, ensure that their mobile phones are equipped with voice-mail. This allows employees to return incoming calls during non-driving periods.

13. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 13 Mobile Phone Usage Safe Operating Procedures What steps can drivers take to reduce their risk of having an accident? Although it may seem impractical, the best option is to turn off the phone while driving. When using cell phones or two-way radio devices (aka “Nextel”, etc.), here are a few tips to consider: Remember, safe driving is your first responsibility. Always buckle up, keep your eyes on the road, and hands on the wheel (use auto dialers, or ask passengers to place calls for you). Whenever possible and safe to do so, pull off of the highway to make calls. Never take notes or read maps while on the phone under any kind of driving conditions. Always pull off of the road to a safe, secure parking area to deal with complicated discussions. Let the voicemail feature pick up calls when dealing with difficult driving conditions (bad weather, heavy traffic, etc.). Although the use of speaker phones, auto dialers and speech-activated phones will not eliminate the risk; these features can help you to maintain concentration on driving duties. Complicated conversations should be minimized - - short, simple communications should be the norm when in any traffic conditions. If a detailed conversation is necessary, ask to conduct the call after you’ve found a place to stop: complex interactions are more likely to cause a significant

14. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 14 Mobile Phone Usage Conclusion If you are distracted by a phone conversation, you are putting yourself “at-risk” of becoming involved in a collision, and possibly endangering others. It is always prudent to minimize distractions when driving, and turning off the phone may be very helpful; however, if you have to make the call while driving, please be extra careful and vigilant – it only takes a moment to misread hazards on the road that can lead to a collision. Follow your company policies regarding the approved use of cell phones or similar devices, and honor any specific restrictions that have been published by your company. Lastly, make sure you know your state and locals laws when you are using any cell phone. Some states have enacted laws prohibiting use of cell phones while driving.

15. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 15 Mobile Phone Usage 1. Using a hands-free device eliminates the risk of using a cell phone while driving. True False 2. Driver distraction is the number one leading cause for collisions. True False 3. Employees are prohibited from using cell phones while driving in construction zones, while backing, and while driving in a parking lot. True False

16. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 16 Mobile Phone Usage 4. Allow voice mail to answer your phone while driving is a safe practice. True False 5. Cell phone distraction can lead to an increase or decrease in vehicle speed. True False 6. Non-compliance with cell phone policy can lead to termination. True False

17. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 17 Mobile Phone Usage 7. Exceptions to your company’s policy include notifying authorities of erratic drivers. True False 8. Driver distraction relates to 25% of all traffic vehicle crashes. True False

18. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 18 Mobile Phone usage 9. Mobile Phone Usage Policy refers to CB and two-way radios as well as cell phones. True False 10. Managers should monitor cell phone calls on company phones to ensure that they are used for business and emergencies only. True False

19. 2/26/2012 Proprietary and Confidential 19 Mobile Phone Usage 1. FALSE 2. TRUE 3. TRUE 4. TRUE 5. TRUE 6. TRUE 7. TRUE 8. TRUE 9. TRUE 10.TRUE