What is distracted driving?

[cheri1122]

Linda, when it comes to these stats, they seem to be an aggregate of all of the accident reports with some being assumptions, not facts. This is illustrated with the justification of the sleep apnea requirements we go through, the studies done on accidents don't include valid truck related accident data and when it is used and broken out, it is not correct data in context to the accident.

Same way they insist speed is a cause of [or contributor to] crashes without any justification except 'we say so'. If the driver of any vehicle involved was exceeding the posted limit [even if they're just guessing], speed is listed as a contributing factor.
It works for their purposes - more money budgeted for LEOs to catch the dangerous speeders and insurance companies increase rates for speeding tickets, courts and the cities benefit from the fines - but not a bit of it is based on solid proof.
DOT and FMCSA are following the same pattern: allege a safety hazard often enough, it is accepted as fact, and then they can perpetuate their own jobs by creating programs to counter the threat.
It would be great if they had to prove their contentions, but apparently, they don't.

 

[Jenny]

Every driver regardless of vehicle drives distracted, we all think about something

 

[layoutshooter]

Every driver regardless of vehicle drives distracted, we all think about something

I don't think about driving when I am driving.

 

[pearlpro]

Some people cant do two things at once, what about a Airplane Pilot, theyve got to manage being LEVEL, and staying at an airspeed above a Stall, and all this while gazing at another 5-6 gauges, Flying with both hands and both feet, Gazing at the scenery and talking to numerous Air traffic controllers.....

Truckers do the same thing, we balance the lane, we keep the rig Stable and Level and at speed, we manage the traffic and cars on all four sides, while reading and managing the Gauges, etc that we need to do a good job, then managing a qualcomm message, routing software, GPS, CB, and Least my Smartphone which Talks and I dont need to hold for it to operate functionally.

But put a person in a car, Put a buddy in the passenger seat, 2 kids in the back seat, Radio on in the front, Movies playing on the Onboard rear DVD and all four of them Texting while driving.....

Who would you trust to be in the vehicle with, Its plain stupid to be texting if your in traffic and people are swapping lanes etc, its not the time, But I can send a text with my voice, take a call with no hands, dial and input GPS with no hands....

Its really about the Professional who can Multitask and does it daily and is a practical user, not a casual user...Theres a time and a place as I wouldnt be trying to do GPS while landing my plane in a crosswind, Nor would I use my devices in rush hour traffic unless its at a standstill.

Common Sense tells us when and where to do these Multi tasks, Common Sense applications, Not Casual Nonsense usage of Technology...

 

[greg334]

Well there is a BIG difference between a pilot and a truck driver.

OK of course you have to compensate for the plane's movement, adjust your trim and scan your gauges to a point but if you take your training to another level to say Instrument Flying, then you have to train yourself to be diligent about scanning those gauges and more concern with situation awareness.

In a truck, you don't have to and that's part of the problem - many do not even know what's going on around them let alone train themselves to look at the speedometer or OP gauge or scan everything at given intervals. The training is lacking for this and knowing whats going on around you.

 

[pearlpro]

I like to feel like Im in the ****pit of a big ole Plane when Im driving, I enjoy it and all the workings of it, Yes its not a plane and wont fall out of the sky but a few moments of Inattention and the results can be the same, DISASTER....Yet I manage to operate the truck, use my devices, communicate with dispatch and family and do it safely because I have experience with these types of technology and they work FOR me not against me as in fumbling with a midget keyboard, etc....its long past due for trucks to have a more advanced heads up display, gauges in the windshield, Radio, Quallcomm and other controls on the steering wheel or a pedastal located nearby, program these Smartphones most of them will accept voice and or pre-program the keypad, 1- OFFICE, 2- Home, 3- 911 Etc....therefore its about learning how to use the tech, apply it to our jobs, and safely do the job...CBers use a Talkback feature that could be incorporated into a Headset thats available in any newer or retrofitted vehicle....use your voice not your fingers and you never take a hand off the wheel or your eyes off the road, especially if Eletronic dispalys are incorporated into windshields.

 

[LisaLouHoo]

Wow, the forum censor software blocked out the first syllable of a perfectly clean word. Whoever wrote that software is either an uptight prude, has a dirty mind, or did it in a hurry while they were behind the wheel.

I found out yesterday driving isn't the only thing that suffers when that isn't the only focus behind the wheel. At home I fold t-shirts much neater.
"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008

 

[iceroadtrucker]

Four wheeler inhabitants displaying private parts to truck drivers before they realize the sex of the driver...usually on 476 or 81. Pretty Durn distracting. At first I thought the man had a boa constrictor wrapped around his seat...about wrecked

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Bet they had to dispatch all unites on that one. 0077 587 in progress on 81 south bound handle code 3. Question u about wreck or the 587 BOA ROTFLMAO you got to be kidding MissKAT. HG.

 

[MissKat]

I was so embarrassed I looked and then the Durn guy stayed in the lane next to me for miles "petting" the "snake" hoping I'd really look I guess . Two things: its a good thing I wear a hat and two, I did not mention it to my husband for some time. He's the night driver. Lol

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[LisaLouHoo]

Here is an example: taking pictures of autumn trees from behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.

"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008

 

[Ragman]

This is enough to distract me.

 

[Rocketman]

I was so embarrassed I looked and then the Durn guy stayed in the lane next to me for miles "petting" the "snake" hoping I'd really look I guess . Two things: its a good thing I wear a hat and two, I did not mention it to my husband for some time. He's the night driver. Lol

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

I have been distracted by women doing this sort of thing a very few times actually. I am somewhat unhappy about it too.

 

[LisaLouHoo]

I have been distracted by women doing this sort of thing a very few times actually. I am somewhat unhappy about it too.

Jeffman had this happen in his straight truck. He said it disgusted him because of the danger she was creating with her own distraction, she could have hit someone...and little kids in higher profile vehicles could have seen, too.

"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008

 

[LisaLouHoo]

This is enough to distract me.

Jeff gets off the road for a few days on Thursday...I am getting him Halo Burger for his dinner that night, but I won't tell him in advance because I don't want him driving distracted for the next 4 days.

"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008