McAfee & Taft labor and employment attorney Sharolyn Whiting-Ralston was featured in The Oklahoman discussing state and federal laws and pending legislation limiting or banning the use of mobile devices while driving and how those laws could impact employers.
With three pieces of pending legislation on the issue, Oklahoma is just one of many states working to limit the use of cell phones while driving. Whiting-Ralston explains that employers can be affected in several ways, including being subject to specific penalties for employers whose employees break these laws. An employer could also be held liable in a civil suit resulting in large financial consequences.
“Employers generally have ‘deeper pockets’ and better insurance than individual drivers, and in the event an employee has an accident, the employer may be held financially responsible,” Whiting-Ralston told The Oklahoman.
To protect themselves, Whiting-Ralston recommends employers with employees who cross state lines become aware of state-specific laws. She also recommends having cell phone and technology policies that clearly prohibit texting and the use of electronic devices while driving.
“Employers should educate their employees on the policy and have them sign a document stating they have been trained on the policy and will abide by it,” she said.
You can read the entire article here.