Scope
Ballyvesey Holdings Group has introduced a Distracted Driving Policy to further improve the safety of our employees and other road users. This policy is relevant across all group companies and where applicable incorporated within the Audit Comply Online Driver Assessment and associated Ballyvesey Driver Handbook.
The policy means; employees are not permitted to make or answer calls using hand-held or hands-free mobile phones whilst driving for work.
All employees are expected to adhere to the standards required. Line Managers are encouraged to support their teams to
adhere to the working practice at all times.
This document outlines:
- Safe Behaviour – Driving on Company Business
- The Details of The Policy
- Supporting Materials
Associated resources:
- BVH Driver Handbook (updated to reflect ban on use of mobile devices in a moving vehicle)
- Audit Comply Online Driver Audit
- Driver CPC Courses
Safe behaviour - Driving on Company Business
For employees or contracted agency workers who drive for our businesses, we have a responsibility to choose the right behaviours to reduce harm to ourselves, our families and other road users. We have given an increasing focus to safe and efficient driving and the assessment of associated risks for several years now. This policy is the natural next step in our programme to ensure a safer working environment and reduce the risk of exposure to road-based incidents.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
- We believe that distracted driving is a significant factor in the likelihood of having a road accident, and driving whilst on a phone call, even with hands-free equipment increases the risk. Statistics suggest more than 2,500 mobile phone related deaths occur across the UK and Ireland each year.
- Allowing and even expecting our employees to be distracted by calls when driving does not fit with our desire to achieve a zero-accident mind set. We have therefore come to the conclusion that we should not expect, or permit calls when driving, even on Bluetooth or hands-free systems.
UK and Irish Law
- The parameters of this policy exceed what is currently required in UK or Irish law.
What the policy involves
The policy recognises the risks that distractions can create for drivers and other road users. The list below details activities Ballyvesey Holdings Limited employees must not carry out whilst driving:
- Making or answering phone calls (using hand-held or hands-free mobile phones, Bluetooth, or two-way radios).
- Reading or writing texts, emails, or other messages, surfing the internet, or programming satnavs/hand held mobile devices when in motion.
- Using headsets or earphones to listen to music or the radio.
Vehicles in the Workshop
- Vehicles must not be left unattended with keys in the ignition.
- Technicians working on vehicles in the workshop must remove keys from vehicles whilst obtaining parts or having a tea/lunch break.
- Failure to observe any of the above will render the driver liable to formal disciplinary action.
The policy primarily applies at all times when driving a company vehicle, a car hired in relation to work and or a privately owned vehicle being used for business purposes, regardless of whether this is during contractual work time or not.
Best practice
Solutions include:
- Switching your phone/mobile device completely off when driving.
- Placing your phone or mobile device out of reach.
- Taking a break from driving every two hours.
- Stopping in a safe place to make a call.
- Reminding people they should not be taking part whilst driving.
- Planning your journeys to allow time in the schedule for safe calls and emails.
- Do not call if you think someone is driving and hang up if you suspect they are.
Undoubtedly this will require all of us to reassess our driving practices, but in light of recent court cases headlined below we
continue to believe this is the right position to take in respect of road and driver safety.
- If vehicles are to be parked overnight or long-term, ‘high risk’ sites, such as multi-storey/railway station car parks, unlit streets etc. should be avoided wherever possible.
Please ensure you adhere to the requirements of the distracted driving policy.
Help make the roads a safer place whether for work, or for pleasure.
Supporting materials
A number of materials are available to support this policy and the communication of same:
- BVH Policy Statement
- Audit Comply – Online Driver Audit
- Ballyvesey Driver Handbook
Approved By:
Michael Carolan
Managing Director
October 2026 (Issue 1.4)