Correcting the Behavior Behind Distracted Driving

 

There are many aspects of the safety landscape. Most happen within a facility, but driving is different. It’s also an area that has the propensity to endanger many lives. To prevent distracted driving, individuals must understand the behavior behind it to change. Offering insights on the topic is expert Carly Baez, Safety Manager II at Kitchell, who joined the Safety Justice League hosts.

Baez carved out a career in safety through some nontraditional angles, working in the workers’ comp space as well as working with associations, speaking and training. She’s led webinars on distracted driving behavior changes and is part of the Annual Arizona Distracted Driving summit.

One thing she learned in her career is, “It’s about changing culture and the way people look at safety.”

When it comes to distracted driving, laws are great, but they don’t address the behavior. “Hands-free is not enough. Distraction is distraction. With all the things happening, is it really safer?” Baez said.

Baez noted it would be great if all she had to say was don’t text and drive. “It doesn’t work that way. We all know we shouldn’t, but we have to understand the behavior to correct it.”

Behavior is often rooted in past experience. Baez shared what many people see before they even become drivers. People drink coffee, eat behind the wheel, and put on makeup. “We see all this, but nothing bad is happening, so we accept it as typical behavior.”

Baez countered that making a plan for driving in the car is as essential as planning anything else. One exercise she recommended was not responding to a phone for 30 minutes. “Anxiety may go up when you don’t respond. It’s reprogramming. In those 30 minutes, what did you actually miss? Likely not much, so why can’t you silence the phone while driving.”

More Stories Like This:

Psychological Health: The Often Hidden Side of Supporting a Healthy Workplace

How to Keep Safety First During a Skilled Labor Shortage

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Career
How to Build a Purpose-Driven Career in the Age of AI and Acceleration
October 9, 2025

In a world reshaped by AI, global connectivity, and relentless technological advancement, the pace of disruption has never been greater. Careers are being reinvented as industries transform, and individuals everywhere are being challenged to find meaning, adaptability, and creativity in their professional paths. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, 86% of…

Read More
youth
Fashion, Identity, and Digital Life Collide: Why Brands Must Listen, Collaborate, and Co-Create With the Next Generation of Youth
October 8, 2025

As the lines blur between fashion, identity, and digital life, brands are racing to understand how today’s youth are reshaping culture and commerce. Pacsun’s new Youth Report 2025, produced in partnership with GlobalData, offers one of the most detailed portraits yet of Gen Z and Gen Alpha—two generations united by self-expression but divided by…

Read More
talent
Grow Your Own Talent: How McDonald’s and Skilltrade Are Building a Culture of Lifelong Learning
October 7, 2025

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Automation is reshaping jobs, new technologies are rewriting what “qualified” means, and a new generation of workers is redefining what they expect from employers. From fast food to healthcare, companies are realizing they can’t just hire talent — they have to build it. They’re starting to…

Read More
The Tesla Test-How AI is Changing How We Search Video
The Tesla Test: How AI is Changing How We Search Video
October 7, 2025

In this episode of Secured, Mike Monsive sits down once again with Idan Koren, EVP of Marketing at Verkada, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of physical security, operational efficiency, and the broader business of technology. The conversation begins with Verkada’s groundbreaking integration of natural language search in video surveillance —…

Read More