Aug 16, 2009
Texting while trucking
Texting while driving a tractor trailer.
Recently Virginia Tech Transportation Institute completed a study claiming that truckers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to crash or get into a near-wreck than an undistracted driver, while car drivers face the greatest danger when dialing their cell phones.(read that full story here) First I want to point out that I can agree with the fact that it is obviously dangerous to text and drive. However I would like to know why this “study” was done in the first place, They claimed “we are scientist, not politicians”, yeah alright fucker. This project has to be funded by someone hmm I wonder who that is? Clearly they have a political agenda. to BAN use of Cell phones all together.
driving and texting
I personally avoid texting while I’m driving. Not just because of the danger of it but because I refuse to have a conversation with someone in text when I could just pick up the phone and talk (Chicks love to have text conversations, gets some balls and man up, tell that bitch listen this is fucking stupid call me if you want to talk). I think anyone who holds down a conversation via text or IM instead of picking up the phone to connect on a level where at least the tone of your voice carries some emotion really needs to consider, is this out of convenience or are you sheltering yourself from the outside world to live your virtual life? Technology is great, at the same time it has made it really easy for people who suffer from anti social behaviors and other mental conditions to push themselves further into a dark hole, Lurkers are the majority of internet users after all.
To get back on point, I question the validity of this study all together. With out facts as to how they came to this conclusion I wouldn’t consider the use of this study in any legislation changes. Further more, even with all the data there are so many variables in a study such as this that it would be generalizable at best. Of course it is dangerous to drive distracted or even walk for that matter. Do you really need a three year study to show what common sense already tells you. No, of course not, however to change the law you do.
The bottom line is this, even if you put a ban on cell phones you can not put a ban on stupid. There are a million and one things to distract drivers, not just cell phones. I believe using cell phones is dangerous, I also believe that people should have the right to use their own discretion. More importantly is that if goverment starts with banning cell phones while driving where does the banning end?
I see drivers all the time veering into the other lane all the time and I just think “Oh well maybe he got a little distracted” but then I pass him to see him holding the phone and his hand….its sad might as well drive drunk.
Yeah according to the study they say “TEXTING is more dangerous then drinking and driving in a big rig” I’m not to sure of that statement. Dangerous and stupid yes, more so then drinking and driving I would think not!
I agree with you 100% Steve! I’ve only “texted” messages a couple of times (& I used the computer to send them anyway), these were to my wife who was with customers (she doesnt answer when with clients) & just said “status” so she would know to contact me when she was free. I see no sense in texting when the same device youre using to do so can be used to talk live to the other party!
I text once in awhile But usually ill wait until Im at a light or a stop. I can see where it could be like driving intoxicated, especially with rookie drivers. You are responsible for what you do behind the wheel. so be smart and safe..and either call the person or wait until your stopped…
steve,there are 2 reasons they did this study.one,becase fucking virginia is looking for another traffic violation revenue source,and two those (myrons) at tech are trying to make a profitable career by doing nothing but dreaming up bullshit.i live in maryland but work in va.i drive a gto to work six days a week and get followed by those pirana at least three of those days.
Great article Steve. I am wtiting this while I drive. JK Jen is driving. Common sense is hard to come by anymore. To much money gets pored into studies to tell us that there many people who need an “I’m Stupid” sign on there head.
yep, happens all the time..i see texting drivers and those idiots that have their quallcom sitting up on their steering wheel..go figure huh?
I hope you don't mind my quoting your blog in an article I wrote on this very topic. I've linked back to you, and welcome your opinion.
No not at all, thank you very much for mentioning me in your great article.
Great article, Steve! Kind of funny how these people that do these kinds of studies NEVER get inside the cab of a Big Rig, with a truck driver, drive with “said” driver down “ANY” stretch of Interstate highway in this country, SIT THERE AN JUST WATCH HOW MANY FOUR (4) WHEELER’S COME OVER THE LINE & INTO THE SAME LANE AS A BIG RIG; “AND” THE DRIVER OF THAT 4-WHEELER “IS TALKING ON THEIR CELL PHONE”, OR “TEXTING” WHILE THEY ARE DRIVING!! Wonder when someone from one of the “so-called” think tanks, is going to get SMART enough to think this one up! Then, AND ONLY THEN, we will have the VALUABLE data that the government needs!!
Oops, forgot one thing, I’ve got incoming/out-going text messaging COMPLETELY BLOCKED on my cell phone! Did that over year an half ago, when company that I was driving for kept on sending me Text Messages…WHILE I WAS DRIVING!! They didn’t like it that I “clipped their wings”. They said they couldn’t get a hold of me! I said, you can, pick up the phone an actually talk to someone!! They DID NOT have an answer for that one!!