Ninety-nine percent of companies with policies prohibiting the use of cell phones and messaging devices while driving have experienced no change in productivity -- and some have seen an increase in productivity -- after the policies took effect, says the National Safety Council.

In its survey of its members, the NSC says that although most policies are enforced through an honor system, 43 percent of companies conduct parking lot observations and 40 percent use driver records and traffic citations; almost 10 percent conduct in-vehicle monitoring. The four most common disciplinary actions reported include formal write-ups, verbal warnings, temporary job suspension and termination.

The NSC has developed a comprehensive cell phone policy kit to help companies build leadership support for cell phone policies and to communicate to employees the risks and the need for a policy. (Honolulu has banned the use of hand held electronic devices since July 1, 2009.) The kit is available as a free download at www.shop.nsc.org and provides: ready-to-use sample policies; PowerPoint presentations and executive summaries for senior management; a variety of policy roll-out communications for employees: presentation talking points, posters, voice mail greetings, FAQs, newsletter articles.