More and more truckers openly holding cell phones?

All the time. The real kicker is the ones who will swerve into someone elses lane while doing that and then try to holler at the person they almost hit on the cb

 

I could write a manifesto on this topic but I'll try to be brief. The shorts answer is yes, there is way more distracted driving. Why? Partly, as we all know, brokers, dispatchers, and people directly involved with the job expect you to text, email, or call them while you're on the road. Also partly, the phone's blutooth has replaced the AM/FM radio for many of us. It's not much different than the big infotainment screens that four wheelers are using now. Some phone use is going to happen on the road. it's not reasonable to expect drivers to pull into a rest area for every phone interaction and also deliver on time, park on time, and follow HOS. The question is what types of phone uses are low risk and what types are high risk.

In my opinion the biggest, boldest line between low- and high-risk use is this: are you alone on a divided highway, or not? If there's a truck anywhere in your vicinity, or even a four wheeler, then wait. If you're not on a divided highway, then for the love of God make sure there isn't any oncoming traffic. You owe it to everyone else on the road that much. Especially your fellow truck drivers.

The next biggest thing is having some kind of system set up and ready before you even go into "Driving" status. Connect your blu tooth. Load your podcast apps, and HAVE A PHONE CRADLE. There is no reason to hold a phone in your hand when cradles exist. Mount the cradle up high so you can quickly shift your focus to the road (not blocking your mirrors or sight lines). Seriously, they're $20. Buy one.

The third thing would be to get acquainted with Blutooth pairing to your truck. Find the microphone inside your truck for taking calls without a headset (I realize not all trucks have microphones), and also learn the voice-to-text feature of your phone. If you're set up properly in a modern truck you shouldn't have to fumble around with a headset or switch your Bluetooth off the phone to the headset (or vice versa). I don't even own a headset anymore. And for the love of God nobody should be double thumbing a text to anyone, ever. The nerds created voice-to-text, use it.

Finally, and I can't believe I'm typing this, don't watch YouTube. Don't watch videos while you drive. You're sharing the road with professional drivers, this is their livelihood. Show some respect. Don't watch your shows or FaceTime your kids while you're driving. I've seen this done a lot lately. You're not driving as good as you think.

 

It's been like that for awhile now.

We think that's why more and more states are developing the under cover big rigs with state boys in them looking for this very thing.

One ticket like that, you're in a world of hurt.

 

I couldn't agree more but you probably aren't going to get a lot of love from this post. Still, I'm glad you took the time.

The old-timers are going to say you're stupid and dangerous and people already doing this stuff (ahem, not me of course) aren't usually going to admit it.
I do use a headset though. I also use Airpod Pros which have awesome 'live listen' which let's you hear EVERYTHING around you.

What blows my mind mostly is that anyone will drive a truck with one hand holding a phone up to their ear and I see it way too often. Also, people can't seem to grasp that the moving vehicle you're driving (truck or not) takes precedent. If you need total focus for a minute QUIT TALKING, or whatever you're doing. I can't believe I see people BACKING an 18 wheeler up while on the phone. Just pause the #### call and thank me later.

As stated above you aren't driving as good as you think and if you are the type of person who's pride gets in the way you oughta be the type to take pride in safe driving over your phone.

That's it, I'm done. None of this will change anything anyway.

 

Not sure where you mostly drive. BUT the typical foreigner I see driving. Is usually in a kw or international of any color. Except for the ones from Bosnia, Croatia etc. Unless you actually talk to them. You usually think there just another caucasian driver. But if you do talk to them, if the bad teeth and body odor doesn't tell ya. Thier French, russian, or slavic accent tips ya off.

 

What's crazy to me are the people that have large tablets mounted on the windshield, and they are watching season 4 of The Wire

 

I know, right? Season 4 sucked!

 

i think it is almost impossible to not use your phone all day while being on the business side of things... but I have never figured out how to focus on driving and talk on the bluetooth at the same time.. or the annoyance of dropping the call when getting bad service during mid conversation trying to talk business. always happens... seems some days i can drive down the road for 10 hours and not 1 phone call.. yet the minute i show up to a jobsite or am trying to back up or focus on something. the phone starts ringing off the hook.. i am more annoyed by the thing then not.. but its a necessary evil... i cant say i dont use it while going down the road.. it is mounted on the dash and is only touched if there is no traffic around me or coming near me in the near future... definately alot of guys going down the road with it glued to their face... aproximately 85% of trucks that pass me everyday encroach into my lane or tend to run the zipper...it is getting worse for sure

 

You will have to explain to most here what “ringing off the hook” means.

 

I had one today, a driver on 94 doing 45 mph in the right lane, looking at his phone. When I passed him, I saw he had his phone on the steering wheel reading something and typing. I got off the next exit and he was behind me, pissing people off by taking up more than one lane and driving really really slow. looked the name up when I stopped, it is an owner operator so it means it is useless to complain to the company.