Rank: Forum user 
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I am currently looking at our mobile phone policy re driving; before I can propose the ending of hands free use I do need to come up with a viable alternative for our mobile service engineers. Does anyone use an alternative but acceptable communication solution for in-vehicle application? What is best practice? I have the ROSPA policy document and the research info on mobile use etc - what I need is a practical solution for on call, lone working engineers rather than a lecture on why mobile phone use while driving is dangerous!
Many thanks
Linda
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Rank: Super forum user
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My opinion is that you can make phone calls when the vehicle is stationary (off the road I hasten to add) so why need to talk while driving. Make calls whilst at 'site' and if someone calls whilst you're driving they can leave a message and you can pull over and pick it up when convenient.
You can still be nicked for dangerous driving even whilst on hands free.
Having said that, this is the real world, so do you really need to rock the boat by getting rid of hands free? Might be a bit of a hornets nest.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks Clairel, this hornets nest has been given a big poke by our md so it's already buzzing and I need to come up with a solution! I thought there might be some sort of telematics system that other service organisations use that is safer to use than a hands free car phone? What do the RAC and AA use for their roadside operatives?
Would also be interested in hearing from other people about their experiences trying to implement a no calls while driving policy.
Thanks Linda
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I'm with Clairel. A safe system can be derived from appropriate use of voicemail and calling back when convenient. I'm regularly astonished and somewhat dismayed by the Pavlovian response of so many people to a ringing mobile, and by those who stop a vehicle in the most inappropriate of places (and seem to think putting the hazard lights on makes everything safe). It's a phone call - what is it that can't wait 10 or 20 minutes?
Fair play to your MD, who may have been on a presentation about Corporate Homicide?
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Rank: Guest
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.....well seeing that someone is already serving a prison sentence for killing someone whilst driving, HANDS FREE, isn't that reason enough?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Linda G wrote:
Would also be interested in hearing from other people about their experiences trying to implement a no calls while driving policy.
We just did it. Updated our driving at work policy and procedures docs and said no phone calls while driving, even hands free. Also added that if anyone in the office calls someone and becomes aware that they are driving the call should be terminated politely as soon as possible. We also told our IT department (who also handle phones) to stop handing out hands-free kits to anyone with a company mobile phone. Interestingly, this update was swallowed without a murmur by everyone, even up to board level, when previous discussion (2 or 3 years ago) was met with strong opposition to implementing such a change. The difference this time seems to be that now the MD is strongly behind this rule. He's a classic car nut and there's nothing in his E-type that wasn't original equipment ('bluetooth'? be gone evil 21st century tech). An illustration of the power of buy-in at the top.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Victor Meldrew wrote:.....well seeing that someone is already serving a prison sentence for killing someone whilst driving, HANDS FREE, isn't that reason enough? I imagine it should be. Can't seem to find it 'though. Can you point me in the right direction please Victor?
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Rank: Forum user
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We have a no answering calls when driving policy and it works very well. Difficult to manage though when staff are driving along the highway and byways!
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Rank: Super forum user
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But... Linda asked for an alternative, then suggested "some sort of telematics system."
I can't answer the question with detail, but do know some taxi drivers have small screens in their car that give them instructions, and I believe emergency services do as well. Well worth checking with AA etc.
Of course, these could cause a distraction as well. It would seem to be a good system that may indicate you have a message but the screen remains blank until the vehicle is stationary.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I woudn't count on the approach taken by the taxi-driving fraternity. These displays are most often illegally mounted (as are many Sat Navs).
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Rank: Forum user 
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We have our fleet of service vans - only about a dozen or so - equipped with an integrated GPS tracking system which doubles as an in-vehicle SatNav. The head unit of the SatNav also can be utilised as a message receiver and display. The SatNav screen indicates that a new message has been received and this can then be selected to be read on the screen. These are one-way receivers only so if the engineer needs to respond this will necessitate a phone call back to the office.
I can provide contact details if required however, in my view, the potential distraction whilst driving is not much different in handling an incoming telephone call (via handsfree) versus tapping a SatNav screen to read a message.
Our policy dictates that although the company provides handsfree equipment in all company-vehicles our advice remains that any essential telephone conversations should only take place when the vehicle is parked in a place of safety.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Our fleet has system similar to wclark1238 except ours cannot be used unless the vehicle is stationary. It will indicate a message on the screen and is enabled so that they can send and receive messages or calls but the touch screen will not operate until the vehicle is at a complete standstill, it will display only.
PM if you want some details. We have it in a fleet of over 500 vehicles.
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Rank: Guest
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Safety Smurf
If u PM me I'll send you the info' I have
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