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Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers need to maintain communication while on the road, whether it to talk to their employers or fellow drivers. While communication is integral to the job, it’s crucial to do it in a safe manner.
While many drivers use standard cell phones, it leads to distracted driving, which puts them and other motorists at risk.
In addition, Governments across the United States and Canada have been introducing new legislation to penalize this dangerous behavior. As a fleet owner, your company can now be charged directly if one of your drivers is caught distracted driving. In addition to heavy fines, this could cause your insurance to become more expensive or even dropped altogether. Source
Learn more on why it’s not safe or smart to count on your drivers to use cell phones behind the wheel and how you can eliminate distracted driving and reduce the risk of by going hands free with your company vehicles.
U.S. Laws on Hands-Free Driving
According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) Distracted Driving State Laws:
Handheld Cellphone Use: 21 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving. All are primary enforcement laws — an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cellphone without any other traffic offense taking place.
All Cellphone Use: 39 states and D.C. ban all cellphone use by novice drivers (has held a license for less than two years), and 20 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
Text Messaging: Currently, 48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. Of the two states without an all-driver texting ban, one prohibits text messaging by novice drivers.
See the complete list of distracted driving laws by state here.
To stay in compliance with state laws, a driver’s device must be close enough that you can reach it while still being restrained by your properly installed seat belt. If you unsafely move to reach for your hands-free device, you will not be complying with the law.
Then, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the equipment properly:
- Use voice-activated dialing.
- Use an earpiece or the speakerphone option when talking.
- Use the hands-free function.
By upholding to these regulations, you’ll avoid paying hefty fines or getting into a serious accident.
Risks with Driving While Using a Cell Phone
Cellphones can be safe to use when utilizing their compatible Bluetooth® technology. However, many drivers may stick to using these phones the old-fashioned way, which means:
- Using at least one hand to make a phone call.
- Pushing more than one button to make a call.
- Reaching for a phone by maneuvering out of a seated driving position.
If you’re completing the actions above, you make it much more difficult to concentrate on the road ahead.
This is especially true if you’re moving so much that you’re not safely restrained in your seat belt. However, you can resolve this issue exponentially by simply reaching for a remote speaker microphone mounted onto your truck’s dash.
Additionally, if you use your cell phone to call or text, there are lots of consequences you can face.
Driving & Texting Fines and Facts
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), CMV drivers cannot text or use their mobile devices while behind the wheel.
If you’re caught using a hand-held phone or texting while driving, you may have to pay up to $2,750 in civil penalties, plus lose your license after multiple offenses. Employers can face even bigger consequences, with fines of up to $11,000 if caught using their cell phone while driving.
However, texting poses a greater threat than simply facing large fees.
Per the FMCSA, the “odds of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) are 23.2 times greater for CMV drivers who text while driving than for those who do not.”
Plus, drivers can take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds while texting. If traveling at 55 MPH, this equates to going the length of a football field without looking at the roadway.
To avoid fines or severe accidents, consider switching to a hands-free device.
Consider the TLK Series for an Integrated Communications Strategy with Hands-Free Driving Devices
By going hands free, you ensure a safe ride while keeping the line of communication open. The TLK and WAVE on Cloud Suite of products by Motorola Solutions can help you accomplish just this.
The Right Device for the Right Worker
Some of the highest quality products CMV drivers can use while going hands free are the TLK 150 mobile two-way radios. As part of the TLK Series, this radio gives you the best of both worlds:
- Nationwide Coverage (Operates on a 5G Cellular Network)
- The ease of two-way radio communication (One-button Push-to-Talk functionality)
- GPS Mapping and Location Tracking
- Instant Over-the-Air Delivery and Route management and updates
- WiFi and Bluetooth Connectivity
- Connectivity between Two-Way Mobile and Portable Radios, Cell Phones, and Dispatch Monitors (via Laptop or Computer).
On the Road Communication
The TLK 150 Mobile Two-Way Radio
Safely operate with one-button push-to-talk communication. The TLK 150 is the latest addition to the TLK Portfolio of Products designed to keep drivers safe and focused on the road ahead. This device is an in-vehicle mounted mobile two-way radio that operates across the United States on a 5G cellular network. The TLK 150 is compliant with FMCSA guidelines, therefore you can easily uphold the “no call, no text, no ticket” rule put in place by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The TLK 100 Portable Two-Way Radio
The TLK 100 two-way radio gets your team connected fast. The TLK 100 is perfect for companies that require team members to talk beyond the normal radius of a two-way radio. With the WAVE TLK 100, team members can utilize a rugged two-way radio that has the communications benefits of a cell phone. The TLK 100 offers nationwide push-to-talk but is also great in city-wide, state-wide, or other long-range communication needs. The TLK 100 is also in compliance with the FMCSA guidelines for hands-free driving devices and accessories such as Car Kits are available.
View more on this product and Get a Quote (Links to TLK 100 Product Page)
Other Applications – Connect with Home Base and Staff Members at the Office
WAVE Dispatch
Simplify day-to-day operations with WAVE™ Dispatch. Login from any Internet connection and get access to all the communication tools you need to manage your resources and coordinate an effective operation. Regardless of location, with WAVE Dispatch you’re just a click away.
Call or Email Us Today to Learn More: (800) 527-1670 | [email protected]
WAVE OnCloud Mobile Application
The TLK 100 Wave OnCloud Application allows users across your business to connect with radio users using their smart phones or laptops. The WAVE Application from Motorola allows real time updates, location tracking, and wide area push to talk capabilities on any device. This application allows for Voice Messaging and has Photo/Video Sharing Capabilities.
Call or Email Us Today to Learn More: (800) 527-1670 | [email protected]
Start Driving Hands Free Today
If you want to learn more about hands-free driving, we here at BearCom can help.
BearCom is North America’s largest solutions provider and integrator of push-to-talk wireless systems. We can get you the equipment you need to go hands free when driving your commercial vehicle.
To get started on finding the right hands-free devices for your travels, contact us for a free quote today.
