B.C. organization pushes for total cell phone ban

Canadian businesses may soon be forced to revise their mobile technology policies if a group like the BritishColumbia Safety Council has its way. The organization is pushing the province to ban all cell phone devices,“The impact of an absolute ban on cell phone use while driving would be significant and far-reaching,”according to Carmi Levy, a London, Ont.-based independent IT industry analyst. “In today’s wirelesseconomy, the office exists wherever we can carry our cell phones and smart phones. So a total ban wouldforce a radical change in how we conduct business, where we conduct business and the tools we use to do. Moez Ladha, CEO of Toronto-based Drive Safe Canada, a provider of wireless hands-free car kits, calls the “Using a hands-free device is no different than listening to your favourite tunes on the radio and even singing along,” he adds. “We do not believe a complete ban of cell phone and electronic devices while in the car is aviable solution … Many businesses rely solely on cell phone use in the vehicles: couriers, taxis, trucking, realBryan Lowes, executive of the British Columbia Safety Council, remains unconvinced.“It doesn’t matter much whether it’s hand-held or hands-free. The crash risks are pretty much the same,” heIn response to critics, Lowes says, “We have workplace health and safety regulations. The employer isresponsible for the safety of their employees in the workplace. So if they happen to be driving a car, that istheir workplace, they are still responsible for the safety of that employee, and of course where thatemployee’s actions can affect third parties, members of the public.”In a study released last month, the VirginaTech Transportation Institute found that drivers of light cars talkingand/or listening to cell phones while operating vehicles were 1.3 times more likely than non-distracted driversto be involved in crashes or near-crashes. A 2008 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found thatusing a cell phone while driving is associated with roughly a quadrupling of crash risk.“The research is pretty clear from around the world,” Lowes says. “Cell phones take messages, for goodness’sake … We have responsibilities to the community when we get behind the wheel of a car. It’s time we haveFor managers in the IT industry, a complete cell phone ban could bring to light a lack of acceptable policies“Sadly, many businesses have ignored this important step, which exposes them to huge liabilities if anemployee gets into an accident while making use of mobile technology,” Levy explains. “Against thatbackdrop, the B.C. Safety Council’s call for a total ban should serve as a reminder for Canadian businessesto revisit their policy framework and ensure they invest resources as appropriate to define what employeesmay or may not do with company-issued wireless equipment.”Page 1 of 2While B.C. doesn’t have any laws governing the use of mobile phones in cars, it may only be a matter of timebefore B.C. businesses that rely on mobile technology are forced to re-examine their policies.If the province does pass legislation, it won’t be the first in the country. Presently, Nova Scotia,Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec have laws against cell phone use while driving. Ontario passedlegislation against distracted driving in April with a cell phone ban taking effect in October.“It has not been easy for us to reach this position,” says Lowes. “In fact, as little as three years ago, I wouldhave still been in support of the hands-free (option), but the longer we go on, the more the research is beingdone … I’ve had to change my mind and get a little hard-nosed myself. So we’ll see where it goes.”