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Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Eyes on the Road: Preventing Distracted Driving Accidents in the Workplace

Posted on Apr 01, 2026

April is recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, an annual campaign by the National Safety Council to raise awareness of the dangers of multitasking behind the wheel. The initiative provides educational resources and encourages individuals and organizations to take a pledge to drive distraction-free.

Distracted driving occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted from operating the vehicle safely, whether by using a cell phone, eating, interacting with passengers, or even reacting to changing weather conditions. This campaign serves as a reminder that even a small moment of distraction can have life-changing consequences for everyone on the road.

Safe Driving Matters

Roadway safety is especially important in Hawaiʻi, where commercial vehicles share limited roadway space with commuters, tourists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Commercial drivers play a vital role in supporting the local economy by transporting goods, equipment, and people. However, a moment of distraction behind the wheel can lead to severe accidents with costly damage and substantial injuries. By prioritizing distraction-free driving and promoting workplace safe driver programs, employers and drivers can help protect our communities and ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely.

Workplace Driving Risks

Distracted driving is a growing workplace safety concern, with large truck accidents steadily rising over recent years, according to Forbes. Many industries rely on employees who drive as part of their job, including transportation, construction, field services, utilities, healthcare, and delivery operations. Workers who drive on the job may also face additional pressure, such as tight driving schedules, fatigue, work-related phone calls, and navigating unfamiliar routes, all of which can increase the risk of distraction.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) categorizes driving distractions into three types of risk:

- Visual: Eyes off the road.

- Manual: Hands off the wheel.

- Cognitive: Not giving undivided attention to driving.

Preventing Distracted Driving

Employers can play a key role in preventing distracted driving by establishing clear safety policies that prohibit phone use while driving, requiring employees to safely pull over before making calls or checking directions. Employers may also provide training that emphasizes defensive driving or adapting special technology like driver monitoring systems to reduce risky behaviors.

Employees can stay safe and distraction-free by silencing their phones, keeping their full attention on the road, and practicing defensive driving by focusing on surrounding vehicles and potential hazards.

For more safety tips and information on how to keep employees safe on the road, view this article from NIOSH.

Supporting a Safer, Healthier Workforce

HEMIC’s Safety & Risk Management experts help businesses continue safety education year-round with training, resources, and workplace safety support. This is available to all HEMIC policyholders as a benefit.

For more policyholder resources, visit the HEMIC Safety Suite to explore tools designed to support safer workplaces. 

Learn more about HEMIC Workers’ Compensation.

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