Chrysler asks its employees to stop texting while driving

Driving, while applying lipstick and talking on the phone...

Chrysler has initiated an admirable move, which we think ALL other car manufacturers MUST also follow. Chrysler has introduced a new corporate policy whereby the company’s employees are prohibited from sending SMSes (or ‘texting’) while driving company cars. The company has even asked its employees to stop using corporate phones and all BlackBerry-type mobile communication devices even when they are driving their own personal cars.

‘A driver's primary responsibility is to be in control of their vehicle. Texting while driving clearly interferes with that responsibility,’ says Steve Bartoli, Chrysler head of regulatory affairs. ‘As an automaker, we expect higher driving standards from our work force and business partners, as we design products and technology that bring greater levels of safety to our customers and their families,’ adds Nancy Rae, executive vice president – HR, at Chrysler.

Chrysler, which says its wants to promote safety and serve as an example for the industry, supports initiatives to ban texting while driving as well as a ban on hand-held mobile phone operation while driving, which the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is promoting.

We strongly believe that SMSing and talking on the phone while driving a car is a very dangerous thing to do, and we wholeheartedly support Chrysler’s efforts to put an end to such irresponsible behaviour. In fact, we hope all car manufacturers in India will follow Chrysler’s example here.