Using your Lone Worker App when Driving in the US

Lone workers need protection no matter where they are, and this includes in a vehicle. It seems that the topic of using a phone or lone worker app whist driving is quite a contentious one.

While some people may need to use their phone for driving, especially if they are a lone worker, you cannot deny the fact that being distracted by a phone is a huge factor in many motor vehicle accidents.

Are Phones Dangerous to use while Driving?

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use whilst driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year and 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. ¹ These are startling statistics that show why phones should not be used whilst driving.

Need more evidence on why you should use handsfree?

In March 2017, in Concan, Texas, 13 people travelling in their church bus were killed when 20 year old Jack Young crossed the centre line in his pickup truck and collided with them. Young, had been recorded on video swerving across lanes by other motorists and admitted to texting while driving, causing the crash. ²

What are the Current Laws?

• Hand-held cell phone use ban: 20 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.
• All cell phone ban: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice or teen drivers, and 21 states and D.C. prohibit any cell phone use for school bus drivers.
• Text messaging ban: 48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers.
  • Missouri prohibits text messaging by novice or teen drivers.

(Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2019) ᵌ

Click this link to see the laws for all states – https://www.okaloneworker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DistractedDrivingLawChart_Nov19_0.pdf

What are the alternatives for lone workers needing hands free?

The obvious alternative is not using your phone whilst driving. Put it on silent or keep it in a bag or the glove box where you won’t be tempted to use it. However, some people, such as those working alone need to use their phones for work while driving, so what should they do? Having a phone that has a hands free option is the best choice for using a phone whilst driving. A phone that can be voice activated and follow verbal commands is the safest way to proceed.

Ok Alone can help with Handsfree features

Many different apps can also be used hands free to encourage safer driving. The latest version of the Ok Alone lone worker app provides Siri and Google Assistant shortcuts so you can use your voice to update your Ok Alone status wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.

Any lone worker with an iPhone or Android phone and Ok Alone can now easily use Siri and Google Assistant to start a shift, check in or get help – all by using their voice, completely hands free.

Why put yourself and others in danger when the technology exists that can help keep you safe?

1 – https://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cause-of-accident/cell-phone/cell-phone-statistics.html

2 – https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Witness-driver-who-hit-church-bus-was-texting-11041354.php#photo-12643794

3 – https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx