The tide is turning against smartphones, and that means a lot of changes are underway for both commercial and passenger drivers. Distracted driving kills thousands of people in the United States alone each year, and so far campaigns haven’t made much traction in getting drivers off of their phones. That’s why people are turning to legislation and devices that limit phone usage on the road.
Why are phones so dangerous?
It’s not just the visual distraction. While texting and looking down at a GPS are dangerous risks, they aren’t the only element causing concern. Even handless phones that a driver hold onto the steering wheel and keep the conversation going are too distracted. Podcasts and music can help you stay focused, especially on long journeys that make you susceptible to driving fatigue or highway hypnosis, and they don’t disrupt your attention to the road. Even having a conversation with someone in the car isn’t uniquely distracting. Instead, it might be the other side’s lack of situational awareness causing the damage. You can ignore a song during a tense moment, and a talkative passenger knows to pause the conversation during a risky bit of road. But a phone conversation continues regardless of context, and that’s what makes the auditory distraction dangerous.
How will this impact truck drivers?
Expect devices that monitor your phone usage. As trucks get smarter and smarter, people are starting to design devices that monitor phone usage and response times, so professional drivers might have to start plugging in their phones to prove adherence to emerging no-phone policies. Companies are likely to also require employees to download apps that measure usage while the truck is in motion and makes notes in your driving record accordingly.
Being distracted on the road is dangerous, and it gets more dangerous the more weight you haul. Start looking into alternatives like audio-only GPS systems and warning friends and family that you’ll only respond during breaks. It will be inconvenient, but it will be safer. Go to J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC. to see how taking documented safety measures and keeping your driving record clean can save you money on your premiums. We provide commercial truck insurance in the states of Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.
