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FirstGroup America Supports April as the National Safety Councils Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Friday 15 April 2011
Company leads the industry with organization-wide policy banning use of mobile devices while driving.
FirstGroup America (FGA), North America’s leading transportation company, joins with the National Safety Council (NSC) to recognize April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The NSC estimates that 28 percent of all accidents – approximately 1.6 million – each year are caused by drivers using their handheld or hands-free cell phones and texting while driving. This is much greater than the number of accidents caused by any other distraction.
FGA led the industry in 2008 when it issued a company-wide policy prohibiting all employees or contractors on company business from using a mobile device, either hand-held or hands-free, while driving. Employees across all divisions of the company are instructed to pull over at a safe location and turn off their engine before making a call or sending a text message. FGA encourages employees to observe the policy while on personal time and to promote the practice with their family and friends.
“The safety of our passengers, employees and other road users is our top priority, and we fully support the NSC’s initiatives,” said Gary Catapano, senior vice president of Safety, FirstGroup America. “It is our hope that government officials, executives and citizens across North America join us in enforcing these safe driving practices.”