Mobile ban for drivers

The safety of Royal Mail people – and others –is our number one priority. As of today, 18 June, colleagues are banned from using mobile phones, PDAs or any other device that may cause distraction, while driving on behalf of Royal Mail Group. This includes using your phone ‘hands-free’. 

This policy follows the advice of road safety experts and applies to all colleagues, including car drivers, whether you’re driving a Royal Mail Group vehicle or your own vehicle for business use.

No call or message is worth a life

If you are using a device, even hands-free, your attention will be distracted, and even a moment’s distraction can cause accidents, with devastating consequences. 

Research* has found that drivers are four times more likely to crash when talking on the phone at the wheel, even if hands-free. If you are texting while driving, that risk increases to 23 times.

Mike Bristow, spokesperson for Brake, the road safety charity, said: ‘We’re pleased that Royal Mail has taken the necessary steps to implement a company-wide ban on mobile phone use, including hands-free.

‘It is the distraction of the call and not the handset that ultimately takes drivers’ attention away from the road, increasing the risk of a potentially fatal collision. We hope that other fleet operators will follow their example and make the decision to ban hands-free use in their vehicles.’

To avoid mobile use when driving:  

• Programme your sat nav before you leave on your journey
• Switch your phone to driving mode before you set off, or turn it to silent and put it out of sight

Also:

• If you call a Royal Mail colleague and find they are driving, terminate that call immediately.

If you have any questions, please contact your local SHE advisor.

*Research findings provided by road safety charity, Brake. Find more details at www.brake.org.uk/campaigns/other-campaigns/be-phone-smart.