Why CSA 2010 and E-Logs are a good thing.

Hopefully, Qualcomm and elogs. Heh...

 

I guess you did not read the link I posted earlier. FMSCA is not going after complete hands free use of phones.

Meaning that Blue tooth headsets are not on the table for banning since you do not have hold or even touch the phone to use them.

If you have to hold your phone or dial your phone manually then you are against the law.

With most phones and blue tooth headsets, all you have to do is push the button on the headset and say "dial ### ### ####" and boom your phone will dial the number and you will be connected.

Now personally, I think even headset usage is almost as distracting as not using a headset. I have seen way too many drivers weaving all over the road, only to get beside them and see them with a headset on their head and their mouth engaged in a conversation.

I know that phones are part of our lifestyle and they might be needed to do business but to sit and gab for hours is not something I would call proper use while driving a big truck.

Some people also seem to think that phone use in heavy traffic is fine also.

I do and have used my phone briefly while driving. I have a Blue Parrot blue tooth for when I need to use it but that is only when I am alone on the road and not going through towns etc. Then I let all calls go to voicemail.

Same with my CB, I don't usually use it unless I am alone on the road with NO traffic. With the snow and ice season coming on, my CB mic will be mostly clipped to the over head and out of the way and the CB will be turned way down.

I am a firm believer that cell phones should mostly disable themselves when the GPS function senses movement above a certain speed. That will never happen but they could atleast disable themselves so that they can not send and receive any data while moving. Meaning they would not beable to send and receive texts etc and not beable to go on the internet while moving over a certain speed.

It is sad that they have to adopt laws for this because some people just don't get that it is dangerous to do these types of things and drive at the same time. People just can't seem to regulate themselves on these issues so our gov has to come in and do it for us.

But the gov has to step this law up and make it for everyone not just truck and bus drivers. make the fines the same for everyone. Make it like getting a dui. Loose your liscense for a short period for the first offense then longer for the second offense and perm for a third of fourth offense. It should also affect their insurance similar to a DUI.

 

I see more problems with 4 wheelers using cell phones, putting on makeup and doing everything but driving, than 18 wheelers. This is something that states should address, not the dot. If cell phone use while driving is going to be banned, then it should be for everyone, not just professional drivers. It is discriminatory to only target professional drivers and doesn't address the primary problem and that is 4 wheelers. Some states do prohibit cell phone use while driving for ALL drivers. If you want to prohibit cell phone use then it should be for everyone rather than a targeted group. I agree that we should not need more legislation for this type of thing. Most people should use common sense.

 

Touching a headset is less distracting than speed dialing ? Would a headset not be considered a device ?

 

The thing is truck drivers' phone records can be checked after the fact . Did you ever hear of an attorney asking for phone records when 2 4 wheelers are involved in an accident ?This was probably lobbied by lawyers to increase negligence awards .

 

If it were not for the potential for a big paycheck, we would not have nearly as many laws on the books in this industry. Of course, they could not get the bills passed if they said that they want the bills so that they can use the information to shake down the trucking industry. That would not work. But, mention safety and that will usually work. Who can argue against safety?!! Take away the means to use this type of thing in a lawsuit and we might see fewer of these types of laws. Remember, most laws are passed by lawyers and they structure them to benefit themselves and their industry.

 

Phone records are used all the time in accident investigation to show if that phone was being used at the time of the accident and what they were doing with it.

 

Does anyone know if they can tell if a phone was being used "hands-free" after the fact?

 

I agree with alotta of what u r saying rat I don't use my bluetooth very much I try too use it in the wide open areas so I wont have nearly the risk

Butt everybody with a brain knows once gubb mint gets the toe in the door its over I read alotta of post about the elogs qcomms an such an how they were only gonna bee for the bad people wrong bucko now they have of strangehold just how they want it an like it.

Plus like I say its just a matter of time an everybody will have cameras on them so some
bureaucrat in dc can sitt on there ### an pass fake phony ### laws for everyone else
too comply with

I replied too one dudes post cuz of the quote he had @ the bottom of his display banner
it said something too the effect u r the reason this industry is the way it is

An I replied an said tht was incorrect tht lawyers are the reason why the indusrty is the way
it is they've take the fun outta of the job in so what they can supposably provide safety
they don't provide #### except more #### they don't have 2obey an it evrryone else does

 

Yes you can see exactly what the phone was being used for.