Anyone pursuing truck driving jobs should become familiar with the term “distracted driving” and avoid the habit at all costs. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. According to the National Safety Council, 26% (or 1.2 million) of crashes taking place in 2012 involved talking on handheld or hands-free cell phones or texting. Distracted driving occurs anytime the driver diverts their attention away from the road. According to http://www.distraction.gov/, examples of distracted driving include:
- Texting, checking social media, or talking on a cellphone
- Eating or drinking
- Self-grooming
- Reading or watching a video
- Using a navigation system
- Adjusting the radio
- Talking to a passenger
Because texting and updating a social media status on a cellphone requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention, these actions are the most alarming distractions of all. If you don’t already believe these activities are inappropriate while truck driving or operating a vehicle, consider some alarming statistics from distraction.gov, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FMCSA:
- Nearly 6,700 people were killed in distraction-affected accidents between 2011 and 2012.
- 21% of fatal crashes involving 15 to 19 year olds are caused by cellphone distractions.
- The visual-manual subtasks associated with texting and driving makes those with truck driving jobs 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash, near-crash, or unintentional lane change. Simply dialing a phone number makes a truck driver six times more likely to be involved in these safety-critical events.
- 69%of surveyed Americans age 18 to 64 admitted to talking on their cellphone while driving within the past 30 days.
- 31%of surveyed Americans age 18 to 64 reported they sent or read an incoming text message while driving in the past 30 days.
The numbers tell it all: distracted driving is incredibly dangerous—both for four-wheelers and CMV operators with truck driving jobs—yet a huge percentage of people still text and drive. That’s why many states are enacting laws to make the activity illegal.
According to the CDC, texting while truck driving became illegal in October 2010. The FMCSA states that those with truck driving jobs are permitted to talk on the phone while driving only if they voice dial and use a hands-free unit within reach of the driver’s seat. If a driver is caught using a hand-held phone, the civil penalties include up to a $2,750 fine and disqualifications for multiple offenses. A motor carrier that requires or permits its drivers to talk or text while driving may face up to $11,000 in civil penalties.
The risks associated with distracted truck driving simply aren’t worth it. One text or call could wreck it all, so leave the phone alone until you reach your destination. For more information about staying safe while making a living with truck driving jobs, please visit our website and find us on Facebook and Twitter.
