by Leon Thomas

Created on: May 13, 2007   Last Updated: May 18, 2007

As a commercial truck driver for over 40 years I feel that improper use of cell phones, especialy text messaging is by far the most dangerious new development on our roads and highways. Please notice I say improper use because some of us can communicate via cell phone while driving and continue the proper and safe vehicle operation at the same time. The problem is that the majority of the public can't. Professional truck drivers have been driving for many years using CB Radio's and Cell Phones while maintaining safe vehicle operation. I've labored in thought over this for years as I drive my eighteen wheeler. I look down the highway watching the car in front of my big rig suddenly drop it's speed by 20 mph or more just because they picked up their cell phone. It has gotten so bad that when I see a car suddenly reduce it's speed for no apparent reason, it's a no brainer for me that they just picked up their phone and as I pass them in another lane if I'm lucky enough to have another lane, sure enough they are busy looking at the phone and pushing numbers into it. If I wasn't lucky enough I've just dropped several gears and lost my momentum and forced to use excessive fuel to get by rig back up to speed when they finaly hang up the phone.

So what do we do, ban all drivers from using cell phones while driving including those that can perform the task safley? It's a tough call.
I think educating the public to the use of earpieces and voice dialing will go a long way towards safety, but some folks just can't "walk and chew gum as the saying goes".
I think we need to stop people that from dialing directly into their cell phones and force them to use voice dialing while driving. Also make the use of earpieces mandatory so both hands are free to operate the vehicle in case of emergency. So what about those that can't Walk and Chew Gum? Lets all be on the lookout for them and prey for them.
Thanks for reading.

Learn more about this author, Leon Thomas.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.