Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/369526
SAFETY FIRST THE ODDS OF being involved in a safety-critical event are 23.2 times greater for professional drivers who text while operating commercial motors vehicles than for those who do not, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Despite these staggering statistics, distracted driving continues to be a national epidemic for the 3.5 million professional truck drivers in the United States and the entire trucking industry. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) reports that more than 90 percent of drivers are solo operations and are away from home 201 to 300 plus nights a year. With drivers spending so much time alone on the road, mobile device usage can be especially tempting to stay connected with others. Roughly one-in-fi ve drivers admit to texting, emailing, or using social media while behind the wheel, according to a recent study by global market research company, Ipsos. Though in reality, the actual percentage of drivers who use their phone while behind the wheel is much higher. Recently, the driving practices of professional drivers and individual owner-operators alike have been infl uenced by rules established by FMCSA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Aimed at decreasing the number of on-road crashes, the rules specifi cally prohibit interstate truck drivers, bus drivers and drivers who transport "placardable quantities of hazardous materials" from texting or using hand-held devices while operating their vehicles. In addition, the rules impose sanctions for driver offenses, including civil penalties up to $11,000 and driver disqualifi cation for multiple offenses. Despite these new regulations, distracted driving continues to be a serious issue and a growing concern for the industry. As a result of the severity of the risks presented by having mobile New Software Solutions Prevent Distracted Driving To Protect Professional Drivers & Individual Owner-Operators • • • ByPaul Zimmerman • • • 12 DrivingForceMag.com September 2014 • • •