The 2018 Distracted Driving Report from Motus should be of interest to Illinois residents who are either part of a grey fleet or the operators of one. The mobile workforce is increasingly connected: in 2013, 55 percent of mobile workers owned a smartphone, but in 2017, that percentage rose to 77. At the same time, the number of auto accidents among mobile workers rose from 5.7 million in 2013 to 6.4 million in 2017.

Motus believes that there is a clear correlation. While smartphone use may not be the only source of distracted driving, it is a pivotal one. In 2017, Americans drove a total of 107 billion miles while distracted by their phones. Mobile workers drive more than any other type of employee, so they pose a special danger to others on the road. According to Motus calculations, mobile workers drive about 1,200 “distracted miles” every year. Smartphone use is especially common among them during the mornings and evenings, when they commute, but hits a peak between the hours of 2 pm and 4 pm.

Accidents are costing employers about $4,400 per grey fleet driver, and every case of phone distraction costs about $1,680. Lost productivity is another issue; in 2017, for example, mobile workers missed 1.65 million days.

Those who incur personal injuries through the negligence of another driver will want to see a lawyer who focuses on personal injury cases. If a lawyer finds that the grounds for a claim are strong, he or she can take on the case, hire investigators to gather the necessary proof and proceed to negotiations. If a settlement cannot be agreed upon, the lawyer could prepare for litigation.