HEADING INTO OVERLOAD

Distracted Driving?

BILLBOARDS.   AIRPLANES PULLING BANNERS.   CONSTRUCTION/LAW ENFORCEMENT LIGHTS.  

 I do not have to think about taking a drink, or eating a sandwhich.  I do not have to look at what I am eating.  Turning the station on the radio is a no brainer too.   We drive more miles in a day than most people drive in a month.  Driving is all we do.  We know our trucks and we know the roads.  There is a time when we can multi task and a time not to, and we know the difference.
The 55 mph speed limit makes me drowsey....We are used to driving speed limits of 60-75 mph and to drop to 55 for an extended length of time is hazardous.  I smoke. I smoke the most doing 55 because it gives me something to do to keep me awake.  Telling me I cannot smoke while I am driving....well those are fighting words and I will step up.
Driving is not like a 9-5 desk job, or a factory job.  Expediting is even worse.  We are on time sensitive loads, we cannot pull over any time we want a smoke or something to eat.  For us to pull over for a sandwhich or a smoke takes at least 1/2 hour, it also does not stop our 14 hr clock.  Communicating with dispatch:  if I have to pull over and use the QC to communicate, that load I am on could be sitting for an hour waiting for someone to get back to me....IF they even do.
You want us to drive keeping our hands on the wheel and eyes on the road for the long hours we drive....that would turn us into road zombies.
All these rules and regulations are not going to do anything but add more stress and pressure to an industry already carrying a heavy load and you know what happens when you OVERLOAD!
New HOS??   Our hands are so tied right now we cannot stear!!  You cannot make this a 40 hr a week..9-5 job.   Trying to overhaul the trucking industry is a never ending job.  There is such a thing as overdoing something.  IF IT WORKS, DON'T MESS WITH IT!!
 There is only so much an industry can take and if they keep adding to what we already deal with, they are going to push drivers to the point of driving these trucks straight up the anal retentive cheeks of America.   " Sorry America, we were distracted by your controlling bullshit"!