can you wear a headset while hauling HazMat?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Jabber1990, Jun 27, 2014.

  1. Lux Prometheus

    Lux Prometheus Heavy Load Member

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    Headsets are very useful, if only because they free up BOTH hands for driving.

    They can't solve the real problem, tho: the act of speaking takes up to 40% of one's available brainpower, which is partly why the "miles fly by" when talking on the phone.

    But, by having both hands on the wheel while talking, you pull your visual focus out away from your face (which happens when you hold the phone up to your ear), and out toward the road, which is a far better place for it to be.

    The headset, whether it's wired or wireless, is a far better solution than actually holding the phone to your ear. And if you're halfway smart, when you see something happening on the road, you'll tell the party on the other end to hold and UTSF, you're busy driving.

    AFAIK, there are no restrictions on hazmat yet. States and municipalities have various levels of cellphone bannage, and you should assume that they're banned in any and all school zones. Outside of that, it'll be up to the company.
     
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  3. bergy

    bergy Road Train Member

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    Is ^^^this ^^^ typical?
     
  4. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    darn. the permitted loads i have been pulling are 30 minutes after dawn to dusk. you must be an outlaw or not pull the same type over size that i get permitted for.reckon you'd be fined big time if the DOT worked at night?
     
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  5. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    man you need to not be so scared.you are missing out on much higher paying loads by living in fear of anything. life is too short to not push your own personal limits.it is a rush at times with the close calls as i pull over width/length and then some loads that stick or uneven dumping spots when i pull the frameless/spread axle end dump. i like the sensation and the adrenaline swings/highs. guess enduros and hare scrambles on dirt bikes thru the woods help keep me seeking the next rush. make sense? probably not.

    get over the frightened aspects of your life.you are too young to live mundane.
     
  6. Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    not for most...I have yet to be hit, a lot of close calls with those idiot 4 wheelers and a couple with even truckers but I have always been lucky with quick reaction speeds.

    As for the headset like someone stated its fine by dot but your company can be more strict about them. My company does not want anyone using them, I only use mine pretty much when talking to my DM/Planners. I never answer my phone when im in heavy traffic though like on the 405 through LA.

    To me other things distract just as much as a cell phone, music, audiobooks, passengers etc. I listen to a ton of audiobooks and I pause those too when im in heavy traffic.
     
    Tonythetruckerdude and bergy Thank this.
  7. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    I haul hazmat and talk on my headset all the time. Hazmat doesn't make you more likely to have a wreck, it hauls like any other product, you just have a placard. If talking is so bad will they ban trainers or passengers from talking?? What about singing?

    Even if DOT makes a rule banning hands free I will still use mine, you can't see it when I'm driving and I'll take my chances.
     
  8. Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    singing can be a disaster, I think if I chose to sing out loud my truck computer would even crash ;)
     
    Lux Prometheus and bergy Thank this.
  9. Jabber1990

    Jabber1990 Road Train Member

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    I thought you worked for Schneider, who doesn't allow you to use the headset or phone while driving

    give it time and they'll probably ban conversation and radios while driving in any vehicle
     
  10. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    No I don't work for Schneider anymore. When I did I broke the rules, just like thousands of other Schneider drivers.
     
  11. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    No.....sorry to be short pal.
     
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