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Two federal agencies have teamed up to combat distracted driving by workers. One agency says texting while driving could lead to fines.

In a statement announcing partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said when OSHA receives a credible complaint that an employer requires texting while driving, the safety agency will investigate and possibly issue citations and fines.

Solis says the action is necessary because the leading cause of worker fatalities is motor vehicle crashes.

While the OSHA/DOT program targets all distracted driving, the first focus is on texting while behind the wheel.

Solis called upon companies to prohibit workers from texting while driving and to eliminate policies that would encourage them to do so. Thirty state laws already ban texting while driving.

The National Safety Council praised the action taken by OSHA, including investigating and issuing citations and penalties where necessary.

Note: Oct. 4-8 is Drive Safely Work Week.

What’s the best way for the federal government to work with employers to make sure workers aren’t texting while driving? Let us know what you think in the Comments Box below.

Tags: distracted driving, Hilda Solis, OSHA, texting while driving, U.S. Department of Transportation