Truckers Insist on Keeping Computers in the Cab

Well, no raiding anyway.

 

well they used to TOP trailers without GPS, but today with GPS and laptops with mapping programs in them, you at least save a ton of $$$ on maps and of course trying to keep all of the ones you needed in the truck was always a challenge.

 

I can understand someone having a GPS mounted to the dash or windshield, although I don't have one myself.

But I would never - repeat, NEVER - have a laptop computer set up where it is accessible from the driver's seat. I have talked with other drivers who have proudly shown me their fancy laptop stands, and bragged about how they can run GPS while going down the road... AND check email, AND send Instant Messages, AND surf the web...

Consider this: Let's say you have a laptop set up that way, and you give in to temptation and use it while you're driving. You just want to check if that email from your sweetie is in your inbox, or get an update on the game, etc...

Let's say you're doing this, and God forbid, you have a wreck. You've plowed into the back of one of those ####### four wheelers who insists on driving down the interstate at night at 35mph with no taillights. We've all seen 'em.

I can guarantee if law enforcement sees that notebook/stand setup, your computer will be confiscated, and forensic techs will be able to tell if you were using it at the time of the crash.

Now by every reasonable standard, the crash shouldn't be considered your fault. The other guy was driving below minimum speed on the interstate, no tail lights or reflectors. But if it can be shown you were messing around on the computer at the time of impact, DO YOU NOT THINK YOU'LL GET YOUR *SS FRIED BUT GOOD??

To me, it's just not worth taking the chance....

 

Having a GPS is very helpful, depending on it is extremely retarded.

I use my GPS to tell me when I am coming up to the road I know I need to take, the one I found on my map. It helps a great deal to have some warning, and to know that the street I need is coming up in one mile, instead of me leaning forward, looking for this street sign trying to find exactly where and when I need to turn.

I also run the GPS so I know how many miles I have left to a certain point, and to keep accurate track of my speed.

Before I start making my way into a city to find a customer, I look at the map and plan the best route for a truck to be on. I also write down/memorize the name of the street, before the one I need to turn at, that way I know when I see that street on my GPS, it is not inaccurate and I know the next street will be correct.

I find having a GPS invaluable just for the simple reason of, as I stated, it gives you warning to your next turn or off ramp, you then can concentrate more on driving at that moment, then worrying about missing your ramp or your turn. In this case I feel a GPS improves safety.

Having screens in the cab is not the problem, and should NOT be banned. The problem is irresponsible drivers who wreck it for us responsible ones. Guns are not a problem. People who can't control themselves are the problem.

Almost every single new car/SUV/pickup nowadays, comes with a Nav. system or entertainment system, with a minimum 5'' screen right smack dab in the center of the dash, but yet no one is forcing the car manufactuers to stop putting these "distracting screens" in cars, yet, ONCE AGAIN, AS ALWAYS, it's such a huge problem once it is placed in the cab of a semi.

My cab is my home, it is the place I am most comfortable being in out of anywhere I can think of, honestly, that includes my screens, lights, CB, SWR meter, CD player, CB mic swinging from the roof, just the way I like it, and it has not been a problem for me ever, nor has it ever caused me a problem.

 

I almost had my nose taken off by another truck cutting in front of me yesterday night. He keep speeding up and slowing down so I went around him. He's in there on the phone with an atlas draped over his steering wheel. So much for screens being the problem.

 

MORONS are the problem without a doubt....But it's getting so common these days to see a truck drifting from rumble strip to center line going down the road and when you finally do get to pass him he's....

On the phone
texting
fooling with his laptop
typng/reading his qualcomm
looking at his GPS
reading his road atlas
leaning over fooling with something on the floor

Just to name a few.


It's called "distracted driving" Yep! the government already has a name for it and will be coming at us with draconian laws and stupid rules thanks to "morons" that think they can drive and do all of these other things at the same time.

Like I told an England driver yesterday that was literally driving off the road while messing with his qualcomm...

You people don't drive well without distractions, Put the ###### thing down and wait till you stop to read it!

How complicated is that?

 

as far as the cell phone I just cannot understand why drivers don't invest in a good wireless headset, i have noticed that people on the phone driving like you describe usually have their cell phone clamped between their ear and shoulder, looking sideways thru the windshield or at the gauges just ain't the way to get it done.

 

I agree....To a point.

The problem is that there are Soooooooooo....Many drivers out there these days that misuse the technology to a point where it becomes a serious saftey issue.

We will eventually lose the ability to use these tools because of the "tools" that misuse these tools.