Is That Text Message Worth It?

So this past weekend I got put in a room with another driver, not the most friendly and out going person. I kept to myself and he to himself. Occasionally he would get into a screaming match with someone on his phone, I am assuming it was his DM. Apparently he was on a run with his co driver something happened he got dropped off and the co driver continued on.

So Monday we are back at the CRST terminal. I have passed him a few times and notice he seems to be wandering around lost and confused, okay that pretty much describes everyone here.

So I ended up in the common area having coffee waiting to get a lead trainer. The Driver came over and sat down he didn't look well, before I could respond he goes I got fired! Me😵😐😕, I of course asked what happened?

I got a text I responded, i was barely on my phone for five minutes, I didn't loose control of the vehicle no one was ever in danger

He went off on a tirade about CRST being unfair and stormed off.

Needless to say I don't feel sorry for the guy . we all know how badly things have gone when some idiot decided to text or update their Facebook account while doing 65 down the freeway.

CR.England and CRST both make it clear they have a absolute zero tolerance no bargaining, no second chance policy about using a hand held device while on duty and driving. CRST made it clear the second they find out you violated this policy your gone.

I could only shake my head. First there was his absolute disregard to the fact of seriously bleeping wrong that could have gone.

Second if busted by the D.O.T he could have been fined which can be up to $2,750😵 then CRST would be facing an $11k fine potentially.

So how important is that text message?

When I finally get a trainer and head out. I plan to use my phone for two actually three things in the morning.

1) email or text the wife letting her know where I will headed to and that I will contact her later and that my phone will be off.

2) second Google maps or earth if making a delivery that morning to see where we are headed too and plan for potential problems

3) the weather. I don't know I could be wrong but I think being kind of update on the weather might be useful for a driver.

My answer? Not in a million years.

The answer you should give? Well it depends. Factors include but are not limited to 1. Do you value your life? 2. Would you be able to live with the fact you killed someone else because you crushed their car like a soda can? 3. Can you afford to pay the fines and your bills for the next couple of years while you are learning a new trade on account of your instant gratification mentality?

Just use voice text. That's how I can text while driving. Just hit the button on my headset and say text my wife. Then say the text and say send. Done. Didn't touch the phone. If needed my GPS can read emails and text to me. Stopping when needed is also a possibility.

My answer? Not in a million years.

The answer you should give? Well it depends. Factors include but are not limited to 1. Do you value your life? 2. Would you be able to live with the fact you killed someone else because you crushed their car like a soda can? 3. Can you afford to pay the fines and your bills for the next couple of years while you are learning a new trade on account of your instant gratification mentality?

The only time I use my phone while driving is while using maps and once I put in the information and get going I don't touch it, The rest of the time my phone is normally in the back seat area with my five year old daughter who likes to watch us moving on Google maps

Just use voice text. That's how I can text while driving. Just hit the button on my headset and say text my wife. Then say the text and say send. Done. Didn't touch the phone. If needed my GPS can read emails and text to me. Stopping when needed is also a possibility.

That is a choice, however voice text never seems to work for me. Besides eventually I will stop and can call or text her then. I am sure there is a number she will be able to call if it's serious enough and a message can be sent to Qualcomm letting me know I need to call my wife

Joseph hands-free devices like Blue Parrot are perfectly legal. If you have contacts setup on your iPhone, you can voice dial.

I don’t suggest using one of these while training, but once you gain some experience it’s a viable alternative.

One last thing, not all companies allow hands free devices, check before you spend any money.

Just use voice text. That's how I can text while driving. Just hit the button on my headset and say text my wife. Then say the text and say send. Done. Didn't touch the phone. If needed my GPS can read emails and text to me. Stopping when needed is also a possibility.

That would be a problem if you were in an accident while texting, even hands free. There is no way to prove you were hands free, but easy to prove you were texting

Grumpy wrote:

That would be a problem if you were in an accident while texting, even hands free. There is no way to prove you were hands free, but easy to prove you were texting

Many carriers have event-triggered drive cams; all are road facing, some companies have cab facing as well.

Not sure what equipment Big Scott has in his CFI tractor, but using your example, if he had a cab facing drive-cam triggered by an impact, it’d be a piece of cake to prove he was obeying the law.

Grumpy wrote:

That would be a problem if you were in an accident while texting, even hands free. There is no way to prove you were hands free, but easy to prove you were texting

Many carriers have event-triggered drive cams; all are road facing, some companies have cab facing as well.

Not sure what equipment Big Scott has in his CFI tractor, but using your example, if he had a cab facing drive-cam triggered by an impact, it’d be a piece of cake to prove he was obeying the law.

Good point. If they don't, I would get my own, to cover my butt.

Grumpy wrote:

Good point. If they don't, I would get my own, to cover my butt.

I like the way you think.