Throughout my career, leading ground transportation operations, I’ve faced numerous challenges, including tight margins, labor shortages, and regulatory hurdles. However, one of the most persistent and underestimated threats to safe operations is the growing prevalence of distracted driving, fueled by the increasing use of personal electronic devices.
What began years ago as a battle against texting while driving has grown exponentially. Today, we contend with smartphones, Bluetooth-connected headsets, AirPods, smartwatches, and even streaming content—all of which compete for a driver’s attention. These aren’t just minor nuisances. In a safety-sensitive environment like ours, they’re major risk factors.
Whether someone is behind the wheel of a 45-foot motorcoach, directing traffic in a busy lot, or transporting school children, the issue is the same: distraction kills.
