Wayne Hogan Guest Speaker at Chamber of Commerce Joint Luncheon

On Thursday, Wayne Hogan spoke to 70 members of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce – Ponte Vedra Division and JAX Chamber Beaches Division at its joint luncheon. Topic: the dangers and consequences of distracted driving. He called distracted driving an epidemic that kills more people in the U.S. each year than Polio did in the worst year of that epidemic.
He said it’s understandable that adult drivers are tempted to use their car time to return calls, but using the phone while driving can kill. That’s because our brains only focus on one task at a time. When we’re driving, it attention switches between the two tasks. Our brain is on the call and not on driving. We get tunnel vision and miss visual cues. Hogan asked the audience if anyone ever missed an exit while talking on the phone. Many nodded yes.
While everyone knows the dangers of texting and driving, many don’t realize that hands-free calls are just as dangerous as hand-held calls. Making matters worse, drivers are tempted by the latest dashboard technology in new automobiles. One audience member showed a plastic ring he wears on his thumb – with the message “W8 2 txt” – reminding him not to text and drive.

Risks to Business Owners

Hogan also emphasized that one bad accident could harm a company’s brand and bottom line. He said the consequences of distracted driving are serious and may include higher insurance rates, civil lawsuits, punitive damages – which are not insurable – OSHA fines and productivity loss. Employees could also face manslaughter/vehicular homicide charges if texting while driving kills someone.
End Distracted Driving
Hogan is honored to be part of the organization EndDD  or End Distracted Driving. Established to raise awareness and generate action against the distracted driving epidemic, it was created by Joel and Dianne Feldman in memory of their daughter, Casey. She was killed by a distracted driver as she was walking in a cross walk.
When Hogan began speaking to students about distracted driving, he realized it wasn’t only teens using phones when they drive. Millions of adults were doing it too. That’s why he created a presentation For the Workforce. It explores the consequences and recent court cases that hold employers and employees responsible when distracted driving causes a wreck. The presentation also explores the issues involved in creating and implementing cell phone use policies and identifies some used by some companies.
In 2015, Hogan worked with the City of Jacksonville to adopt a comprehensive policy against distracted driving.
To request a complimentary For the Workforce presentation for your company or organization, call (904) 722-2228.  One text or call can wreck it all.
Local attorney urges Chamber of Commerce members to implement policies on distracted driving

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About The Author

Laura Hack

Laura Hack

Laura Hack is a paralegal with Terrell • Hogan. She has been with the firm since 1996 and has worked primarily for Wayne Hogan. She is an experienced Paralegal with 30+ years of working in the law practice industry. Skilled in Appeals, Civil Trial Litigation Support, Torts, Trial Practice, and Pleadings.