The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has implemented a new state fleet policy prohibiting cell phone use while driving a state fleet vehicle by employees. The NDDOT manages the North Dakota State Fleet and initiated the policy as part of the Vision Zero strategy, which launched at the beginning of the year.

The state does not have a primary law against cell phone use, making enforcement more difficult, said Robin Rehborg, CAFM, director of fleet services for NDDOT.

“Basically the public are our eyes and ears through complaints.  Since the policy was put in place, we have not received any complaints on cell phone use. Agencies also are to police this policy as they do all other state fleet policies and procedures,” she said.

Distracted driving results in about nine deaths and more than 1,000 injuries on U.S. roadways daily, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The policy is in effect as of July 1. At the same time, NDDOT also initiated a state fleet user driver agreement, an online form that all drivers must read and sign prior to using a state vehicle. To date, nearly 10,000 users have signed, including state employees and university students who qualify to drive state fleet vehicles.