Ban on HANDHELD cell phones starts today

[Fredog]

ATA Applauds Final Rule Banning Handheld Cellphone Use by Truck Drivers -- ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

[Windwalker]

Two years ago, I knew about a push to ban "hand-held" electronic devices in commercial vehicles. But, what I read back then implied that they could also include the mic for your CB. Actually, from my own experience, I would say that cell phones are really a smaller percentage of all the distractions the driver encounters. To be honest, there are other things that are just as much a distraction as the phone. But, I don't see any way of getting rid of all of them.

[Malaki86]

Have you seen the new 'almost' handsfree mic setup that Cobra has? You wear a boom mic and the pushbutton gets attached to your gearshift. I rarely turn my radio on, but if I used it a decent amount, looks like a cool product.

As for the hands-free cellphone, I've been doing that for the past 5 years or so anyway.

[Jackrabbit379]

Our company has banned us of using cell phones, even hands free. I figured at some point they would outlaw it all together. I didn't click on the link, it might be already passed, but I believe they should also pass a law against the usage of phones, hands free for not only the truckers, but for people in their cars (etc).

[Roadhog]

I've always hated talking on the phone.
Maybe it's from all the times Shania slammed the phone in my ear.

One time I heard a " tink--buzz " and I think that's the sound you get when someone throws an ear piece against the wall.

[Fredog]

maybe if you would quit calling her while I am talking to her ..

[Sharlie]

I really shouldn't talk on my phone as much as I do. When I don't answer though.... people always think I'm ignoring them and then I have to spend twenty minutes explaining that I was driving and didn't want to answer.

I agree with Windwalker, I shouldn't eat and drive and I think smoking and driving should be banned too.

[VPIDarkAngel]

[QUOTE=Sharlie;505445
I agree with Windwalker, I shouldn't eat and drive and I think smoking and driving should be banned too.[/QUOTE]

If you're hauling haz-mat, it already is.
Also, there was a guy in Ontario who faced some sort of reprimand for smoking in the cab, since it was deemed that the cab was his workplace and it fell under workplace smoking laws.I believe that thread was on here somewhere, but I can't remember when it happened.

[Instigator]

Wow, whats next? No CB radio, are they kidding me? How about being fair, ban cell phones for all drivers, especially four wheelers. They certainly cant talk and drive at the same time. When are we (Truckers) going to take a stand against all this government rules and regulations? First 2010 CSA will cause you to lose your job and now this! You cant get any tickets, you cant talk on your cell phone, you cant fart in your seat, spit out your window, hell you cant roll down your window because the wind may get something in your eye and cause a wreck! What a bunch of pussies in Washington that need a wake up call. Well after a few more years of drivers being knocked out of this industry, they will know they made a huge mistake when there are no more CDL drivers! I for one am sure glad that I am getting near the end of my driving career, I dont know how much more regulation I can stand!

[GMAN]

I see some problems with the new rule. I believe the driver can be fined more than $2,700 and his carrier can be fined $11,000. I don't see how any carrier can guarantee that a driver not talk on his cell phone while driving. More and more carriers dispatch and communicate with drivers via cell phones rather than other means of communication. It is insane to hold carriers responsible for drivers talking on their cell phones. With fines this high and including the carrier's, this is nothing short of another money grab by the government. This is something that should be addressed by the states. I think Nevada already prohibits cell phone use in any vehicle.

[golfhobo]

Wow, whats next? you can't fart in your seat..

Uh oh... Hobo's in deep chit!

This has been my favorite pastime!

I roll up my window and choke on my own cig smoke just so I can enjoy it! What'll I do now?

Dang that Obama socialist! I KNEW he was no good!

[Windwalker]

Wow, whats next? No CB radio, are they kidding me? How about being fair, ban cell phones for all drivers, especially four wheelers. They certainly cant talk and drive at the same time. When are we (Truckers) going to take a stand against all this government rules and regulations? First 2010 CSA will cause you to lose your job and now this! You cant get any tickets, you cant talk on your cell phone, you cant fart in your seat, spit out your window, hell you cant roll down your window because the wind may get something in your eye and cause a wreck! What a bunch of pussies in Washington that need a wake up call. Well after a few more years of drivers being knocked out of this industry, they will know they made a huge mistake when there are no more CDL drivers! I for one am sure glad that I am getting near the end of my driving career, I dont know how much more regulation I can stand!

The cell phones are bad enough. How about the ones with a laptop computer on the steering wheel (obviously working to perfect their auto-pilot)

You'll never get Washington to admit they made any mistakes. No matter how short the supply of drivers may get, it will not be their fault.

[Mr. Ford95]

This issue is back in the news today as findings of a deadly MO crash were published. The NTSB went on record as saying that ALL cellphone usage should be made illegal nationwide for ALL drivers unless it's an emergency.

[Malaki86]

From what I've seen out here so far, either people don't know about this rule, or simply don't care. Hell, coming across the CT scales on I-84 this morning, there was a driver holding the phone to his head as he went across the scale (not the bypass, the scalehouse itself).

[Mr. Ford95]

I've seen the same thing around here Mal. The local rock haulers are still running around yapping away holding the phone up to their ear. It wasn't a big deal to me when this came out, I can't answer my phone anyways due to how loud it is inside the truck while going down the road. I simply can't hear it ring, even if I did hear it ring I can hardly hear the other person.

It is funny how the car drivers are suddenly up in arms over what was said yesterday. It was just a recommendation, it's not like Congress is voting on the issue this morning to make it a new nationwide law of the land. It is nice to see that someone with the Feds has finally wised up to the fact that it's not the act of holding the phone to one's ear causing problems. It's the conversation itself that causes the problems. Anymore I'm not sure what's worse, people on a cellphone and driving or people talking with passengers while driving.

[Roadhog]

This is a revenue raiser... plain and simple.
I'll tell you whats next...

it will become illegal to do anything to distract the driver.
If you are in the back seat...talking to the driver, you will be subject to massive fines, and/or imprisonment.

...soon after... all drive-thru's will become illegal, because food will distract the driver.

etc.

[Malaki86]

I have no problem with the hands-free part of it whatsoever. Use a damn headset (wired or wireless) or a BT stereo (my car has one). Talking hands free is less dangerous than talking to someone that's in the truck with you as you have no need to try to turn and face them in a normal conversation.

But, ya, it's funny how the 'normal' people are freaking out about this. Good.

[Mr. Ford95]

Actually I'd rather talk to someone next to me in the truck than thru a phone. They at least have some sort of idea of when the best time to talk is and the conversation isn't very flowing and continuous like a phone conversation normally goes. I just had a car try to drive into the side of me a few minutes ago, she was on her cellphone. The guy in front of her that was talking to his mate beside him in the pickup, no problem whatsoever........just sayin.

[Roadhog]

.....well, I'm still for putting people in the back seat annoying the driver in jail.

[lennyb06776]

does this also include police officers because i see alot of them driving while on their phone