January
2010
"STORIES"

There have been so many things happening in our country lately, in our industry, or directly affecting our industry, that I have been having a very difficult time choosing a topic to focus on for my articles. I have decided to just jump in this month with one subject that truly affects us all. Texting.    More specifically, texting while driving. I'm sure you are all aware of and have actually seen people texting while driving four wheelers, but as I have said before, we have come to expect average motorists to do just about anything. What alarms me are the numbers just released from an 18 month study conducted where researchers have followed truck drivers around the country and have observed 23% of us who were doing this while operating a commercial motor vehicle. 23%, that’s nearly one quarter of all of us!

The comments made about this practice noted how unsafely these trucks were being driven while these drivers were texting. Duh.

I see it every day, literally, a truck swerving all over the road, slowing and speeding up if you try and pass, or coming over on you as you are in the process of passing them. I even see it when they are passing me. Come on people, texting while driving IN THE LEFT LANE!?! There is no shoulder in the left lane and all the traffic is on your right, your blind side; there is no margin for error.

I enjoy texting these days, although I never anticipated that I would. I even Twitter and joined a social networking site, but I do not text while I'm driving.  It's just too dangerous. I use these toys before and after my driving shifts and am able to keep up with everyone just fine. My family and friends know I don't text while I drive and if they need to reach me, they can call. I always use a hands free headset, so I can talk safely and legally. There is nothing so urgent that it requires me to take my eyes and hands off the road and the wheel at the same time.

Being safe is my number one priority, getting my load up and down the road intact and on time is my job. Nothing can interfere with that. All my attention must be focused on it. I need to use all of my experience and skills to do it safely. I cannot allow myself to be distracted. None of us can afford to allow ourselves to be distracted; it’s just too important, too dangerous.

Please, if you are among the 23%, stop now. If you see anyone else doing so, speak up, ask them to stop. It's up to each and every one of us to keep our workplace safe for all, including ourselves. We have enough hazards and potential hazards already without creating more.

While I am on the subject of distractions, why do so many of you operate your DVD players and laptops while you are driving? More and more I see these types of things on dashes in trucks being used while going down the road. I know the difference between them and satellite radios and GPS's. Taking our eyes off the road while operating commercial vehicles is unacceptable, it only takes a millisecond for something to happen in front of us that we must respond to immediately. If that millisecond happens to be the one you are using your eyes elsewhere, you, me and everyone within miles of your location is in jeopardy.

Please, everyone, do not allow technology to distract you. Use your toys often, just don't use them when you drive.    We also run the very real risk of having our ability to use our cell phones while driving taken away from us for good because some of you refuse to use hands free. I know that if that happens, those of you not using the hands free now will still be using your cell phones when you drive anyway, but those of us who are compliant will be punished.

Please, people, please, use your technology legally and safely. Do not be caught up in a tragedy simply because you were momentarily distracted. Tragedies are very real and their after effects will last forever. You do not want to have to live with being the cause of anyone losing his or her life. It just isn't worth it.

'Til next month, y'all be safe out there, and God Bless!