How can employer liability be minimized?
While there is no guaranteed defense to liability, developing an appropriate employee cell phone use policy, training employees about the dangers of talking on a cell phone while driving and enforcing policies with signed written acknowledgments from employees when they are issued cell phones and related equipment all can help to limit an employer’s potential liability. Considering that several states currently ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, and many states have taken an increasingly active role in addressing the relationship between driver cell phone use and traffic safety, employers should require employees to observe all applicable laws regarding cell phone use while driving. While state laws do not directly address employer liability, they have the potential to increase employer exposure for cell-phone-related accidents. For more information on state requirements, access the Governor’s Highway Safety Association Web site at www.statehighwaysafety.org. What type
