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

women in construction
Career Paths: Women In Construction
February 10, 2025

In this episode of The AppleOne Podcast Career Paths series, host Brett Howroyd sits down with Shawna Alvarado to explore the evolving landscape of construction. As the second generation at O’Donnell Plastering, Shawna’s career path—from cosmetology to construction—reflects the industry’s expanding opportunities and the growing presence of women in roles ranging from tradespeople to…

Read More
Experts Are All Around You
Experts Are All Around You
February 7, 2025

In the latest episode of “UGC for B2B: Experts are All Around You,” hosts Geoffrey Short and Gordie Tamayo delve into the evolving landscape of user-generated content (UGC) in the B2B sector. The episode, aired on February 6, 2025, focuses on the shift from traditional content formats like PDFs and blogs to dynamic videos…

Read More
No Fail Trust Methodology
Empowering Teams with the No Fail Trust™ Methodology: Insights From U.S. Air Force Pilot Jason O. Harris
February 7, 2025

On this episode of the Through the Storm podcast, Dr. Travis Hearne speaks with Retired U.S. Air Force Pilot, Global Keynote Speaker, and all-around badass, Jason O. Harris. Lieutenant Colonel Jason Harris is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, best-selling author, expert thought leader, and professional pilot. As a fourth-generation military member, Jason’s distinguished career…

Read More
The Art of Communication in Disaster Recovery: Building Trust and Delivering Results
The Art of Communication in Disaster Recovery
February 6, 2025

In this episode of Inside Restoration and Recovery, host Martha Lewis sits down with Chris Matthews, Regional Director for Large Loss at BMS CAT, to explore the critical role of communication, preparation, and adaptability in disaster recovery. Chris shares his personal journey in the restoration industry, including his passion for helping clients during their…

Read More