Cell Phone Ban for Commercial Drivers?

CommanderFrank

Cat Can't Scratch It
Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
75,400
Commercial drivers operating under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation could be restricted from using their cell phones while operating their commercial vehicles, if a new proposal is implemented. Many of the private companies already imposed restrictions on their drivers’ use of cell phones while driving on the road..

"Every time a commercial truck or bus driver takes his or her eyes off the road to use a cellphone, even for a few seconds, the driver places everyone around them at risk," LaHood said in a statement.
 
I think this is a great idea. Many of my clients have gone to wireless messaging systems build into their trucks if dispatch needs to get a hold of them quickly. I have investigated 2 accidents in the last year where a driver was texting or talking on his phone and crossed over the yellow line and killed a family of 5. This should have been implemented a long time ago.
 
sounds good

slcbbq2.jpg


Though fallen BBQ is as dangerous.
 
Sounds good in practice, however enforcement is going to be key. If they enforce it like they enforce cell phone usage of cars then it'll be useless.
 
I guess we should just outlaw doing anything other than driving in the car then. Don't reach down for that soda, don't look over and talk to someone, hands at ten and two and eyes forward at all times.
 
I think operating a cell phone while driving a motor vehicle without a hands-free device of some kind should be outlawed. Period. I see way too many jerkoffs bump that yellow/white line ALL the time on the freeways here in Dallas, and nearly every single one of them has a cell phone stuck to that head. I see this every single work day.

I don't even answer my cell while i'm driving.
 
I drive commercially and my company makes a big deal out of cell phone use while driving. First time caught talking on a cell phone while driving earns you an insta-fire. The way it oughta be, if you ask me. These are extremely dangerous vehicles. Car vs bus/semi is very bad.
 
I'm a railroader and we have been restricted from using any electronic devices for a long time now. The FRA will impose a HUGE fine if you are caught on the phone or texting while on duty. We don't have to worry about staying in our lane or crossing the center line but there were a few incidents in the past where a crew was texting and blew through a stop signal and kerplunked anoyher train. Those of you in SoCal probably remember the passenger train a few years ago that started all this.
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
I guess we should just outlaw doing anything other than driving in the car then. Don't reach down for that soda, don't look over and talk to someone, hands at ten and two and eyes forward at all times.

Thats why these "cell phone" laws are absolutely stupid.

Why are we outlawing one specific distraction, but allowing all others? Why aren't we passing more broad "distracted driving" laws instead of "cell phone" laws? These cell phone laws won't save a single life. Not one. And Bluetooth headsets are just as bad. Most of the distraction comes from the conversation, not from operating the phone (texting aside, since that requires looking at the phone for most people), and talking to a passenger is probably just as bad, if not worse, because people tend to turn their head to occasionally make eye contact, or they gesture a lot with their hands off the wheel.

If we were really concerned about safety, we'd make laws that punished all forms of distracted driving. But nooo, that would offend the soccer moms in their massive gas guzzling SUVs with 30 kids and three dogs in the back, looking at the road maybe 2 out of every 30 seconds.

Meanwhile the guy in his 2002 Focus talking to a client, eyes on the road the whole time, gets a big fat ticket.
 
Thats why these "cell phone" laws are absolutely stupid.

Why are we outlawing one specific distraction, but allowing all others? Why aren't we passing more broad "distracted driving" laws instead of "cell phone" laws? These cell phone laws won't save a single life. Not one. And Bluetooth headsets are just as bad. Most of the distraction comes from the conversation, not from operating the phone (texting aside, since that requires looking at the phone for most people), and talking to a passenger is probably just as bad, if not worse, because people tend to turn their head to occasionally make eye contact, or they gesture a lot with their hands off the wheel.

If we were really concerned about safety, we'd make laws that punished all forms of distracted driving. But nooo, that would offend the soccer moms in their massive gas guzzling SUVs with 30 kids and three dogs in the back, looking at the road maybe 2 out of every 30 seconds.

Meanwhile the guy in his 2002 Focus talking to a client, eyes on the road the whole time, gets a big fat ticket.

Amen, my friend. At the end of the day it's all about $$$ for the government
 
I have to agree with NKDietrich about it being more than just cell phones. I remember watching Modern Marvels a few years ago about the Autobahn and it mentioned how years ago German car companies couldn't understand why anyone would want a cupholder in their car. Cars are for driving and are dangerous. My father instilled this in me from the begining that I wasn't driving a car, I was driving a complex piece of machinery that will kill you and others if you let it.
I use my bluetooth headset when I need to use the phone while driving but prefer to not even talk on the phone, on the road or in general actually. As for other drivers, I loath inconsiderate and irriesponsible drivers. I love pointing out their recklessness with my train horns when they deserve it, but always cautiously lest I cause an accident myself.
 
surprisingly chatting with someone in the car has been found not to have a significant impact on driving performance. Apparently being in the actual vehicle causes the person being talked to to slow/stop the conversation as road conditions get more challenging.
 
This is horseshit. I too am a truck driver for the last 10 years and the government looks at us as a cash register. You wouldnt believe the laws, codes and other shit we have to be in compliance with and the amount of fines that are out there. If a trucker doesnt have a certain sticker in a certain place, $450 fine. If youre under weight but one axle is 20 pounds overweight, $450 fine AND you have to park at the weigh station and sit there until the shipper can get somebody out there with a forklift to unload or re-arrange you. If your trailer lights are the wrong hue, $450 fine. If your mustache is a little longer on one side, $450 fine. And the punchline is that these laws are different in EVERY STATE. So stuff you do normally in state "X" will lighten your wallet by several hundred dollars in state "Y".

Now theyve got the anti idling laws out there to save the environment. So long haul truckers who LIVE in these trucks, cant keep their trucks idling for the AC while they sit at a shipper for 12 hours waiting for those giant fucks to get around to unloading them. They do have some compassion though cause they let us idle if temps get down below 29. Id love for these politicians to turn of the AC in their houses during the summer or sit inside their cars for 8 hours in 35 degree weather with no heater.

And it aint for safety either. When I was going thru truck driving school years back, the stat was 85% of accidents between a car and 18 wheeler were caused by the CAR. The truck drivers are the professionals out there.

But the truck drivers dont really have a voice or lobby (we have the Owners Operators Independent Drivers Association but theyre not that powerful) so with the states looking for more and more ways to soak the public for cash, truckers are a great cash cow cause we're totally helpless and at their mercy.
 
I have to agree with NKDietrich about it being more than just cell phones. I remember watching Modern Marvels a few years ago about the Autobahn and it mentioned how years ago German car companies couldn't understand why anyone would want a cupholder in their car. Cars are for driving and are dangerous.

Because if I spill my triple vente mocha latte with a shot of espresso in it on my ascot, my car is going to be a hell of a lot more dangerous for a few seconds!
 
This is horseshit. I too am a truck driver for the last 10 years and the government looks at us as a cash register. You wouldnt believe the laws, codes and other shit we have to be in compliance with and the amount of fines that are out there. If a trucker doesnt have a certain sticker in a certain place, $450 fine. If youre under weight but one axle is 20 pounds overweight, $450 fine AND you have to park at the weigh station and sit there until the shipper can get somebody out there with a forklift to unload or re-arrange you. If your trailer lights are the wrong hue, $450 fine. If your mustache is a little longer on one side, $450 fine. And the punchline is that these laws are different in EVERY STATE. So stuff you do normally in state "X" will lighten your wallet by several hundred dollars in state "Y".

Now theyve got the anti idling laws out there to save the environment. So long haul truckers who LIVE in these trucks, cant keep their trucks idling for the AC while they sit at a shipper for 12 hours waiting for those giant fucks to get around to unloading them. They do have some compassion though cause they let us idle if temps get down below 29. Id love for these politicians to turn of the AC in their houses during the summer or sit inside their cars for 8 hours in 35 degree weather with no heater.

And it aint for safety either. When I was going thru truck driving school years back, the stat was 85% of accidents between a car and 18 wheeler were caused by the CAR. The truck drivers are the professionals out there.

But the truck drivers dont really have a voice or lobby (we have the Owners Operators Independent Drivers Association but theyre not that powerful) so with the states looking for more and more ways to soak the public for cash, truckers are a great cash cow cause we're totally helpless and at their mercy.

I'm a commercial driver as well and couldn't agree more.
 
I guess we should just outlaw doing anything other than driving in the car then. Don't reach down for that soda, don't look over and talk to someone, hands at ten and two and eyes forward at all times.
when you are driving 40 tons of truck,you better believe it should be that way,it takes a loaded truck the length of a football field at 55mph to come to a complete stop.for the average car on the road,you are just a speed bump to something moving that fast,leave ur phone in ur pocket,and drive,its a loaded weapon in the wrong hands.:D
 
I guess we should just outlaw doing anything other than driving in the car then. Don't reach down for that soda, don't look over and talk to someone, hands at ten and two and eyes forward at all times.

It would be nice if people just did the first 3, yes. But your eyes should be scanning your mirrors and forward all the time. Then you might see that suddenly irate driver you just cut off because you didn't look first or signal before abruptly changing lanes.

Honestly, if you have to look at someone to talk to them, just don't talk while you're driving. If they say "oooh, look at that!" while the vehicle is moving, smack them in the head for trying to get you both killed.

If I had a dollar for every time I was behind or next to some one who didn't realize that they veer in the direction their head is turned and their blind spot is now in front of them, I'd have minions and henchmen out there doing my bidding RIGHT NOW.

As for the texters, I just want to go Road Blasters on their asses, only I don't want the weight and CofG issues the weapons would add.

Still, this law won't do anything unless they can get the police to put down their phones first. But that would require them to feel bound to obey by the laws they're supposed to enforce when not chasing criminals.

To the truckers out there, I can see how this might seem like one more grab for cash, but honestly, would you prefer that jackoff in the left lane in his pimped out Kenworth be allowed to yak it up on his cell or texting and wandering in and out of the lane while you're just trying keep it steady and not cause a CHiPs style pileup in a snow storm?

P.S. The reason I'm in such a damned hurry to get out from between you and the truck behind/next to you is that I saw "The Seven Ups" as a small child and there's no way in hell I can duck as fast as Roy Scheider(RiP) did. Nothing personal. ;)
 
while there are other distractions while driving, i'm getting really frustrated at all the close calls i've had because some dumbass is talking on their cellphone and not paying attention. these close calls include nearly being hit while crossing the street (on foot), and being cut off while driving.

i say a suitable punishment would be have their cellphone forcibly placed somewhere where the sun doesn't shine :)
 
Back
Top