America's commercial vehicles help deliver distracted driving message

It's no secret that I am serious about our fight to end distracted driving.  For three years, DOT has been actively working to make our roads safer by getting drivers to focus on one task and one task only: driving. 

Throughout that time, we've been fortunate to have terrific safety partners to help us deliver the message that one text or call could wreck it all.  And I'm happy to add the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) to the roster of organizations and companies supporting our work.

Last month, a semi from Smith & Solomon, a commercial driving school, pulled up in front of DOT headquarters here in Washington, DC.  Driver John Diab, the CVTA Vice Chair and Smith & Solomon's Chief Operating Officer, was greeted by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro, Deputy Administrator Bill Bronrott, and CVTA Executive Director Mike O'Connell. 

An hour later, Diab's truck was festooned with large decals bearing our signature message.

The "One Text or Call Could Wreck it All" decals were designed to be large so they would be easy to see wherever the truck goes.  And, with the support of the CVTA, we hope trucks all over America will soon be carrying this important safety message.

FMCSA Deputy Administrator Bill Bronrott, driver John Diab, and FMCSA Administrator

As Administrator Ferro said, "It is powerful to have the trucking industry behind us, enhancing our campaign against distracted driving, because as traveling billboards, those trucks are so visible to other drivers across the country."

DOT has taken several regulatory steps to ensure that commercial drivers don't text or use handheld phones behind the wheel.  But we've had to leave passenger vehicle laws to the States or to Congress.  Now, with this campaign, truck drivers and commercial driving instructors are helping us educate non-commercial drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.

Administrator Ferro gets decal placement advice from John Diab

Said driver John Diab, “We are honored to represent CVTA and our industry’s commitment to eliminating distracted driving. We believe strongly in DOT’s campaign because it reinforces our commitment--instituted throughout our training programs--to ensure our drivers are aware of the dangers of distracted driving.”

Well, John, to see the nation's commercial drivers take up the banner in this important safety mission is really something, so I think the honor is all ours.

 

Comments

[Dwayne Noel Jr]

This is working, but what are you going 2 do with all the 4 wheelers? I see hundreds of drivers, daily, driving with the phone in their face & both hands Texting! Doesn't seem like you are trying 2 make the highways safer, just blaming the people who bring you Everything 4 the problem!!!

[Cassandra Robinson]

You claim safety is your #1 priority,yet my sister Francine with down syndrome,and high fall risk isn't allowed to ride Dial-a-Ride because after Jan Jurgan,City of Midland,MI.1st call and said they could not back up and give her curb side service because they might run her over and I said WE wait under the carport.A month later she called and said they can't back up and give her curb side service because she could slip under the bus,again I said WE wait under the carport.I know she is a high fall risk,and so does her work.Arnold Center.So Feb.6th Jan Yurgan called me Cassandra and said thet will not do curb side service.I said Oh yes they wil that day they tried to let Francine off in the middle of a three way intersection with one stop sign.I walked to the middle got on the Dial-A-Ride had Francine sit on the step grabbed the bars used to get on and of and refused to let Francine of until her civil rights and satety were met.After 2or 3 cb calls in we were dropped at the curb in front of our houseat our driveway,as a result Francine can't ride on Dial-a-Ride and I take and pick her up every day now.You tell me violation of her rights,and safety.Really Jan Yurgan-City of Midland MI.Is that really safer the middle of a 3way intersection.We have to worry about more than cell phones and big letters,we have to worry about people that want to drop those with disabilaties in the middle if intersections to.Regretfully and ashamed of City of Midland Cassandra R.

[Aly]

Hi there - I work for a personal injury law firm here in Houston and appreciate the effort that has gone and continues to go into eliminating distracted driving. Distracted driving is hard to combat but greater awareness is a good first step.

Anyhow, thanks for sharing! - Aly

[Tony p]

How can I get some of those decals

[eron iler]

How many truck related accidents are caused by distracted driving? Compared to cars and light vehicles, there is a ton of money and effort being spent on a statistically small number of accidents with big trucks. CSA is a huge expense and overkill based on the statistics that I've read. We stand to benefit financially if CSA goes ahead but I don't want to be taxed on everything we buy because the cost of trucking goes up to meet these requirements. It will be another form of taxation.

What are you going to do about tuning the radio? Anything in cab can be a distraction. What about boredom as a threat? With no secondary stimulus tunnel vision sets in, you are distracted by thoughts and can have an accident just as easily on a long-haul. We've all driven a mile and then could not remember how we got there because we were thinking about something else. Music, podcasts and other stimulus break up our thoughts.