All studies done on the subject have revealed that driving a motor vehicle while talking on a cell phone causes drivers to become distracted and that results in safety risks. Recently, a jury in a Florida court returned a $21.6 million verdict in a lawsuit that involved cell phone use. A distracted driver caused the 2004 crash that resulted in the death of an innocent victim.

Stephen Beers filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the corporation that owned the company car driven by on of its employees. A rush hour crash involving the employee killed Mr. Beers’ wife. It was proved that the employee was distracted while driving on the road because she was talking on her cell phone. The defendant’s lawyers conceded that the employee caused the wreck, but told the jury that it was not because she was talking on the phone.

The jury disagreed and found for the plaintiff. As we have reported in previous issues, driving a vehicle and talking on a cell phone is a distraction that puts others on the highway at great risk. All employers must make sure they have rules in place concerning cell phone usage by employees who are either driving a company vehicle or who are on company business. To put it bluntly – driving a car and talking on a cell phone – just don’t make for a good mix.

Source: Associated Press

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