ESB Safe Driving Bureau

The Mobile Office

For those of us who drive as part of our working day, the car can become a mobile office. It is not unusual to find a range of communication devices such as laptops, PDA's, mobile phones and the latest addition, navigational aids.

If you have a mobile office, here are some important things to remember.

Mobile Phones
Always remember that your main job while driving should be to concentrate on the task in hand – driving. Many studies have shown that driving, while using a hand held phone or even a handsfree kit, can effect your concentration.

It is good practice to let messages go through to your voice mail and retrieve them at various stops enroute. Even with a hands-free kit, your concentration is still affected. Never take your eyes off the road – remember at 50km/h you are travelling at 44 feet per second! If you do receive a call while driving, it is good practice to look for a suitable location to pull over, if it is safe to do so. Missing a call will not kill you, taking it could!

Laptops, Electronic Organisers etc.

It’s simple, store laptops, electronic organisers and mobile faxes in the boot. The fact that they are out of sight means that they are out of mind and can not act as a distraction. In the event of sudden braking because the items are stored safely in the boot, there is less risk that they could become lethal projectiles. From a security point of view, out of sight items are less likely to attract unwanted attention.

Watch Your Weight

Don’t exceeding the maximum permissible weight for your vehicle. It is illegal and dangerous to exceed the specified weight. You can verify the maximum weight by checking in your owner’s handbook or checking with your garage or manufacturer. The weight is also stamped on the vehicles VIN plate, typically located under the bonnet around the slam panel, inner wing or bulkhead. Alternatively it can be found around the driver/passenger door pillar. It is also worth bearing in mind that you may need to alter your tyre pressure to compensate for an increased weight.

Carrying Equipment or Samples

When you do store equipment or samples, the most secure place to keep them is usually in the boot or a similar dedicated load storage area. If you have an open boot, think about getting a load net or a cage to keep material secure. For heavy items, make sure they are tethered using suitable anchor points. A top tip when packing the boot is to keep the weight as low down as possible. The lower the weight is positioned, the more stable your vehicle will be when it comes to changing position or speed.

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