Under most circumstances, the combination of mobile devices and driving seems like a recipe for disaster. Some have even called attention to the combination of mobile devices and walking. But as many companies are discovering in recent reports, the combination of mobile devices and driving can mean disaster not only for the individuals involved in resulting accidents, but also for the companies in general.

Lumber salesmen, cable company installers, or anyone who's driving a company car represents a substantial risk--though an all too necessary risk--for companies. Getting out on the road is often a requirement for many jobs, especially in sales or in service installation. But when a company-owned vehicle is involved, the risk becomes that much worse as the potential for misuse increases. The National Safety Council recently released estimates that suggested fully one crash in four somehow involved mobile devices, whether in talking on them or in texting.

This in turn is resulting in substantial penalties levied against the companies; not so much from the government or similar officialdom, but rather as the result of civil lawsuits, in which juries are more than happy to compensate the survivors of accidents caused by "the evil corporation." One such incident revolved around a man driving a company car who crashed into a Honda (News - Alert) while failing to slow down coming into traffic, due largely to the distraction of the cell phone. The jury in that case required the corporation to pay out a $21.6 million award as a result. Another company was required to pay $18 million when one of its drivers merely reached for a cell phone before causing an accident.

In response to this, many companies have issued bans on cell phone use while driving, but even this move has proven a double-edged sword. While 19 percent of companies reported that productivity after the ban had increased, seven percent reported productivity decline following the act. And in an environment where economic losses rule the day, it's not surprising that many employees who find themselves driving are tempted to violate the ban and answer the call that may yield the business that saves their jobs.

The issue of cell phone use while driving is a thorny one for companies, with huge potential losses for use balanced against huge potential losses for lack of use. This is part of why many companies are turning to telepresence solutions and the like, to minimize commuting and travel in general, albeit a very slim part. And with human lives at stake, as well as business' futures on the line, it's safe to say that this is one issue that won't soon disappear.