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Dangers of driving pertinent to workers

On Behalf of | Sep 20, 2013 | Workers' Compensation

The realization that driving can be dangerous is not hard to come to. Many people understand that getting behind the wheel of a vehicle can be unsafe for a number of reasons. But even with the plethora of dangers on the road, Ohio workers often find themselves in motor vehicle accidents while on the job. According to reports, work-related crashes are the top cause of workplace deaths, and this should be apparent to workers so that they remember to remain safe when driving for an employer. If a worker is involved in a car accident and she or he is on the clock, the incident counts as a workplace accident. Any injuries suffered may entitle a person to workers’ compensation.

Recently, members of the business community from the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce took it upon themselves to ensure that their employees understood the risks that come with driving. The Ohio Highway Patrol trooper who spoke with the crowd at the first in a line of workplace safety shops scheduled for this year focused on distracted driving, explaining to attendants how quickly an accident can happen if a driver takes her or his eyes off the road. Pending crash investigations were discussed to bring the point home. These included a head-on accident caused by a driver who was texting and another driver who was texting and rear-ended a vehicle. The latter accident was fatal for the texting individual.

Key distractions for drivers include texting, talking on the phone, changing the radio and talking to passengers. Distracted driving is not limited to this list, though, as other habits can be dangerous while performed behind the wheel, as well. The important thing to note here is that workers are not the only ones who can increase the risks of an accident while behaving in such ways. Other drivers can, as well, and this could still cause a workplace accident to occur for another driver if that individual is on the job.

Source: 
Chillicothe Gazette, “The price of distracted driving” Jona Ison, Sep. 13, 2013