When I started working with the Allen Lund Company 13 years ago, cell phones and mobile devices were just emerging and becoming a major part of this industry. These days, it is almost foreign to think that many drivers had to stop and use a payphone in order to communicate check calls every morning. It was not uncommon for brokers to patiently wait the majority of the day before hearing from a driver because they were in an area without payphone access. However, with the speedy incline of technical advances, things have certainly changed. We now live in a world of extreme connectivity. Smart phones have made calling, texting, and emailing possible from just about anywhere on the road. With so many secure options available for communication purposes, it is easy to become impatient when we cannot get in touch with someone right away. And while technology has allowed the industry to operate more efficiently thanks to greater connectivity, the changes have also led to a need for greater responsibility when it comes to safely navigating the roads. 

So let's try a little experiment.  You are behind the wheel of your rig and driving about 55 miles per hour.  Now, put a blindfold over your eyes and drive for approximately 4 seconds.  Sounds crazy, doesn't it?  Well, that is basically what we are doing when we choose to take our eyes off the road to text, call, email, etc., on our mobile devices.  Some studies show that texting drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds and dialing drivers averaged 3.8 seconds.  This would equate to driving blind for nearly the length of a football field. Obviously, this would not be recommended as a safe-driving practice.  

The numbers show an increase in distracted-driving accidents each year and will most likely continue to increase unless we focus on making safety a priority. As a broker, I need to be aware of the distraction I might be causing when I call a driver.  As a driver, be sure to utilize hands-free devices or wait until you are stopped to make a call. Let's face it: that text, email, or call can wait. The fines are steep for drivers and their employers if caught, but the consequences (and costs) of an accident would be even worse.  

As stated on the FMCSA website, the rules are easy:  "No Reaching.  No Holding.  No Dialing.  No Texting.  No Reading."  Wishing you many safe miles ahead.