Cell phone ban

Studies aside( because like numbers if you torture a subject long enough you can get them to confess to anything.) Ask anyone driving out here daily. We all see the guy half on the shoulder, the woman slowing down and speeding up, the 50 mph rig toodling down 81.......


When you work past these people they have conversations going on judging by their face and hand movement and lack of anyone in the passenger seat. I suppose some could be arguing with a co-driver in the bunk. Cars as well. Not just the ones with their phone held to the ear. I see people talking with their hands( you know the type) just a jabbering away obliviojs to the actual operation of their vehicle which for all intents and purposes is basically on auto pilot.


Folks many believe and so do I driving is and needs to be your primary focus out here.People spend to much time wasting concentration on everything except driving. We all see it. If you do not you are either dishonest or not paying attention perhaps to busy on your own phone.

 

I said I was done with this post and I meant it. It is going no where. We all do what we do.
That said,
If you served in our military THANK YOU. I don't care whether you served 10, 20, or 2 years. I don't care if you were in any wars, incidents, or never left the base. I don't care whether you talk about it or not. You deserve everyone's thanks! I will never knock anyone's service. And yes, I am proud of my 10 years of service in the Navy, and no I don't talk about it usually. As I don't know what you did, you don't know what I have.

God Bless our Military!

 

My Daddy was a squid. While he was at the Academy, he got to sail on the Des Moines. His roomate sailed on the Wisconsin. The Wisconsin is now a museum in Norfolk. The Des Moines is now a Kenmore refrigerator in my kitchen!

 

So really what a few are saying is there needs to be a "no talking rule" while driving ?? . lets see where this takes us ..

1. this rule would need to equal a "no passenger rule"=no teams( I'm sure there are no politics with that subject..) , you might talk to your mate and get to bs'ing ...not to mention actually look over at them..
2. No CB's or electronics to distract you either.. The truck company or family would not be able to contact you while the truck is in motion ... IMO They would need to install something to gently notify (a little blinking light maybe ) you to pull over before distracting you ..

Distracted Driving which I think is more some folks problem is valid.. But -- Drivers are still HUMAN and trying to isolate them to much will only be conterproductive in my opinion ..These are peoples HOMES as well as work space..
as for technology--YES... we have the TECHNOLOGY.. to make it safe to talk on a cell and drive .. --- its called Blue Tooth .. an actual passenger would be MORE distracting .. Right ?.. You might actually look over at who you are talking too or when they speak to you... right ?

Now really is this really what truck driving is moving too ? I doubt it or at least I hope not..


This and the "no idle" thread really have my intrest peaked as to how these things will shake out over the next couple of years..

My wife and are are considering team driving in a few years..I'll be watching to how these companies treat these things.


I think the posted earlier hit it on the head... Its not about the talking on the cell phone that is the issue IMO... its holding it your hand....I can't for the life of me understand why someone driving for a living wouldn't have a cellphone that was hands free. go figure..


I happen to agree that someone talking on a hand free device is MUCH less likely to fall asleep while driving also.. interaction willl keep you more alert.. thats a givin..

 

I would say before the advent of cell phones people did just fine to stay alert. They had no one to stimulate them by cell signal.

Make no mistake it is not just truck driving that is being addressed in this issue. Across the board vehicle restirctions are coming.
The NTSB cited cell phone use in two commuter train accidents last year as both operators of those trains were against company policy, and the law on their #### phones jabbering away.

In FCC hearings the discussion was brought up can it be addressed with technology and the answer is yes. I expect it like I have mentioned inside 5 years, and it will be like the switch to digital tv a network change requiring certain hardware to use it.

Will it fix every accident? Nope but if it makes that soccer mom I saw jabbering away on her little flashing blue headset as she tried to kill herself on my bumper today hang up and drive,I'm good with it.

 

I use a hands free cell phone while driving whenever I want.
I don't think that's the original issue here.
As I understand it, the question is whether a company has the right to limit your use of a cell phone when operating their vehicle.
Whether their position is factually right or wrong is of no matter.
As far as I'm concerned, it's their truck, their rules. If I don't like it, I can vote with my feet.

Now what I've seen coming down this list of posts is everything from whether it's a constitutional right (no) or CBs or radios are just as bad (probably).
I don't think there's any objective information or studies out there to support either side. It all seems to be based on who ever did the studies prejudices.
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with using a phone while driving if done in a responsible manner. If traffic is heavy, if the driver is fatigued...these all weigh in the balance.
Each person has more or less ability based on their talents.
The arguments in this thread have become something like, "My dad can whup your dad...your mother wears army boots!"
Now I've ranted my part, so I'll yield the soap box to the next one.

 

Agreed but if all it took was responsible actions we would have none of the laws we have now pertaining to speed, alcohol, drugs,equipment.........If common sense was actually common none of the current bans would be needed.


Hence the reason I believe a full on ban will be instituted.

 

love it! Please be a driver, we need more with brains!

 

I truly hope to in a few more yrs... as soon as our last two teens graduate.. thats the plan for now anyways..

 

If they ban gps then we will have to go back to maps and that is more distracting