New Rule For Truck And Bus Drivers: No Texting

[AC120]

article here
What do you think about it?

[Jackrabbit379]

I think they aughta pass a law that folks can't text in their cars/pickups (4-wheelers). Do those big shots really think that those pesky 4-wheeler drivers are more professional than truck drivers? I understand the fact that truck drivers shouldn't text, but I believe 4-wheelers should fall under the same rule.

Our city finally made a good move. They made a city ordinance, that no one is to be using a cell phone while driving through school zones. They have signs posted at the school zone blinking lights.

[Mr. Ford95]

As Jack said, fine whatever but how about going after the 4 wheelers while your at it Dept. of Transportation. Don't allow it to be a secondary offense either.

[Snowman7]

Is it just texting or does that mean I cant post on CAD and watch DVDs on my laptop while driving too?

[GMAN]

The new rule says that you are exempt, Snowman7.

I see more 4 wheelers texting than those in big trucks. In fact, it is rare that I see a big truck driver texting. Talking is another story. It seems that some of them can't drive without texting. This is just another feel good piece of legislation that won't impact the majority of voters, such as those driving 4 wheelers. If they really wanted to have an impact they would have it apply to ALL vehicles. Hopefully, they will expand this to include the 4 wheelers.

[Snowman7]

The new rule says that you are exempt, Snowman7.

SUHWEEEET!

How bout peeing in a jar while I drive? Can I still do that too?

[USMCRebelGuardnU]

PA's state ban on texting while driving just passed the state House, and yes it's a primary offense. I have to say that I disagree with Dept of Trans only targeting CDL drivers, but I doubt that they have authority to pass it against 4 wheelers. The solution that worked with the drinking age (an argument for another day) is to have Congress attach it to a highway funding bill. State doesn't have a prohibition against it, state doesn't get the federal money.

[GMAN]

SUHWEEEET!

How bout peeing in a jar while I drive? Can I still do that too?

Yep, that is still cool. Just as long as you have at least one hand or knee on the steering wheel.

[GMAN]

PA's state ban on texting while driving just passed the state House, and yes it's a primary offense. I have to say that I disagree with Dept of Trans only targeting CDL drivers, but I doubt that they have authority to pass it against 4 wheelers. The solution that worked with the drinking age (an argument for another day) is to have Congress attach it to a highway funding bill. State doesn't have a prohibition against it, state doesn't get the federal money.

I don't think that anyone should be texting while driving. It is all that I can do to talk on my cell phone while checking the computer for loads and driving. I can't imagine texting along with everything else.

I would not be surprised if they came up with a way to include 4 wheelers. It seems that when a single CDL driver is involved in an accident and found doing something such as texting, that they want to put everyone in the same group together. I think most commercial drivers are too busy to text while they drive. It is much easier for a 4 wheeler since they don't usually need to worry about shifting gears, etc.,

[Jackrabbit379]

Is it just texting or does that mean I cant post on CAD and watch DVDs on my laptop while driving too?

They didn't say anything about typing. It said, no texting. I think you can still log on, and post on CAD, while driving.

I see more 4 wheelers texting than those in big trucks. In fact, it is rare that I see a big truck driver texting.

Those were my thoughts exactly when I read/heard about the rule. I wonder what a DOT man thinks when he sees someone in their car, texting.

[jd112488]

what about eating a cheesburger, talking on the phone without a handsfree device, looking at my newest playboy, and uhmm..doing what i do while looking at playboy, all at the same time?? is that cool? oh, and that is with my wiggles.

[Roadhog]

EJECT - EJECT - EJECT !!

hahahahahaha ( cof ) ... I just made Snowman take an exit.

[Jackrabbit379]

Breaking news:... UPS driver run off of road by crazy driver. It appears that this driver has been accused to roadhogging.

[Snowman7]

, looking at my newest playboy, and uhmm..doing what i do while looking at playboy,

Thats no problem Jed cuz from what I hear your hands probably wouldnt be away from the wheel for all that long anyway. From a time standpoint thats much safer than texting while driving!

[cdswans]

I support the practically unenforceable ban absolutely! Bravo! I'll call it proactively unenforceable. How are you going to catch someone before anything bad happens? On the other hand, I'll bet it will be very effective in reactive enforcement:

If you find yourself in an incident (collision, most likely) of any measurable consequence and you're still alive, you'll be asked to surrender your phone and when you wisely decline, LE will waste little time in getting a subpoena for it and your phone records. They did it before the ban. Now, they'll have a new crime to add to your list and a little something extra for plaintiffs lawyers to use against you.

As for the "feel good" aspect of this, GMan is correct. It's going to make your employer, where applicable, feel very good when it's lawyer can stand up in court and declare "Not only was this lout in violation of our clearly stated company policy, he/she was also breaking the law! Surely you'll consider this as you apportion the blame!"

As Jack said, fine whatever but how about going after the 4 wheelers while your at it Dept. of Transportation. Don't allow it to be a secondary offense either.

The DOT's authority extends only to the "Federal" CDL. It's up to the states to police their own dls.

[cdswans]

Man Talking On Cell Phone Run Over By Tractor-Trailer - Kern County Mountain Area News Story - KERO Bakersfield

"The CHP said that it's important to remember that cellular phones remain a distraction for both pedestrians and motorists."

What they didn't say is whether or not the driver is facing any charges.

[USMCRebelGuardnU]

I don't think that anyone should be texting while driving. It is all that I can do to talk on my cell phone while checking the computer for loads and driving. I can't imagine texting along with everything else.

I would not be surprised if they came up with a way to include 4 wheelers.

The DOT's authority extends only to the "Federal" CDL. It's up to the states to police their own dls.

I'm not arguing against the ban of texting (or calling without hands-free) while driving. Do I text while driving my poor little Ford Focus? I did, when the phone I had used a regular keypad with T9 and I didn't have to look at it to "type". Admitting that, I refuse to use myself as an example of the average driver, 4 wheeler or not.

I agree with what CDSwans said. The only reason the USDOT is bringing this up against CDL drivers is that the feds have no means to affect 4 wheelers. The only Constitutional way for there to be a national legislation affecting 4 wheelers in this matter is for Congress to make it a mandatory condition for states to receive federal highway money. It worked to make the "national" drinking age 21, and it will work in this case. Whether the current riff-raff in office consider it enough of an issue to do so is another matter.

[Twilight Flyer]

As far as I'm concerned, whether we're talking truckers or 4-wheelers, it's only common sense to not be texting while driving. Unfortunately, more and more people are lacking in common sense, which forces the government to make a law about it.

It's the same dumbed down populace that has forced companies like Sunbeam to put warning labels on their toasters saying something to the effect, "making toast while sitting in a bathtub full of water makes you a complete moron, so don't do it."

And make no mistake, 4-wheelers are probably a whole lot more guilty of it then drivers are, because a lot of drivers understand they are supposed to be professionals. But 4-wheelers are dying every day because they are Darwin candidates. Had a 15 year old girl here locally just recently kill herself and her 17 year old passenger, because she was texting while she was driving to school. 15 years old! And let's not forget the 5 teenage girls last year in Georgia, I think, that were in a head-on with a truck because all five of them were texting! Just graduated high school 2 weeks prior and now they are dead.

Common sense...where has it gone?

[Kranky]

From the CNN article:

The focus on texting while driving comes after a few high-profile accidents.
In September 2008, a California commuter train engineer missed a stop signal while trading text messages with a friend, leading to a collision with a freight train that killed 25 people, according to federal investigators.
A mass-transit accident in Boston, Massachusetts, injured 62 people in May. The operator of a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trolley later was charged with gross negligence after admitting he had been texting seconds before the collision with another trolley, according to the Suffolk County district attorney and a National Transportation Safety Board official.

In light of the mass casualties in these 2 incidents, have they banned texting for train engineers too, or just for drivers of CMV's?

.

[golfhobo]

From the CNN article:



In light of the mass casualties in these 2 incidents, have they banned texting for train engineers too, or just for drivers of CMV's?

.

Not sure, but I think that was done some time ago.