Is That Text Message Worth It?

CFI doesn't have cameras, however Google saves everything.

Texting either with the keyboard or voice dictation is still texting in my opinion. And to be completely honest even talking on the phone with Bluetooth is still a distraction. Just because it is legal doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Just my two pennies worth.

Texting either with the keyboard or voice dictation is still texting in my opinion. And to be completely honest even talking on the phone with Bluetooth is still a distraction. Just because it is legal doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Just my two pennies worth.

It depends on the person, I think (talking on the phone). I talk on the phone and it never distracts me, but I hate the phone and just say what is absolutely necessary and get off. My wife scares the crap out of me, because she can't talk and concentrate on driving at the same time.

I talk on the phone and it never distracts me

Really? So you can use some of your attention for a phone conversation and yet still have 100% of your attention available for driving? You must be magical.

I talk on the phone and it never distracts me

Really? So you can use some of your attention for a phone conversation and yet still have 100% of your attention available for driving? You must be magical.

It isn't hard to say 3 or 4 words and hang up. I don't carry on conversations while driving. I only answer for my wife, and it's usually "pick up bread" or "I'll be late". I say OK, love you and hang up. And even that is rare, she knows I hate the phone, so she texts, and I answer when I stop.

Can you talk to someone sitting in your vehicle while driving, or talk on the CB without being distracted?

Can you talk to someone sitting in your vehicle while driving, or talk on the CB without being distracted?

No, of course not. No one can. You have to understand what the definition of distracted driving is. It means to have your attention on something other than driving. Anything you're thinking or doing that isn't directly related to safely maneuvering the vehicle is by definition a distraction. Your own thoughts will often be your worst distraction. For instance, we've all had our minds on something else and missed a turn, even when we've taken a route many times and know it well. That's distracted driving.

It isn't hard to say 3 or 4 words and hang up

I lost count of how many times I've watched a huge wreck happen because someone quickly glanced down at something like a map, their phone, something they're looking for, the scenery around them, or something they've dropped. One moment of inattention is all it takes.

One time on a beautiful, sunny morning in light traffic on I-40 in Arkansas another truck passed me. After getting about one truck length past me he must have looked down at something and started veering toward the median. When he noticed, he overreacted and cut the wheel too hard to the right. His truck swerved hard to the right and came across my lane in front of me. He jerked it hard back to the left and the trailer whipped around behind him causing the truck to barrel roll one and a half times right in front of me. Fortunately I had already been on the brakes and was able to safely avoid him. He rolled onto his roof, back onto his tires, then ended up on his roof. He only lost attention for maybe one full second, then an overreaction, and within two or three seconds he was upside down and barrel rolling down the highway at 70 mph.

In 15 years out there I've watched that kind of stuff happen time and again. That's why one of the most important things you can do for safe driving is to watch the heads of the people driving vehicles around you. Watch to see who is looking down and is distracted, or looking at the kids, or looking in their mirrors preparing to change lanes or make some kind of a move. You can predict problems that may happen or moves people will make by watching where their focus is.

Good Morning all,

When I drive long distance in my vehicle, I just put on my auto reply, and ignore it. It is absolutely not worth it. I see people all the time looking down, while driving, and hugging the yellow line...I can't imagine being upset about it, when driving a companies big rig.... Life is too short, it definitely can wait.

Chris

Fact is distracted driving is distracted driving. Even when a distraction is completely out of your control it will show in an accident report(keep those windows closed if possible). My fear would be, even if it’s not a major distraction but it’s not beyond my control I would end up with an ugly scar on my Employment history.

That's how I got into the motorcycle accident 8 years ago. The guy who hit me and my ex, was texting on his phone and didn't stop at the red light. So thanks to him we both have scars to prove that that was distracted driving. My new phone, ( I had to get, old one gave up the ghost after 7 years) has auto respond I'm driving will call you back if important. So NO PHONE CALL OR TEXT is worth the use.

Currently in class to go back out and give a class on distracted driving. Really opened my eyes to a lot of new information. Although hands free is legal studies have shown that it’s not “significantly” safer than hand held. Using hand held though is 6x more likely to be involved in an accident than drunk driving.