Cell Phone Policy Acknowledgement
Studies by the National Safety Council, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, several universities and others have determined that people who use cell phones while driving may be as much as 300% more likely to become involved in an accident.
Studies show that it is the mental (not just physical) distraction that causes cell phone related driving accidents. Tests show that phone use while driving led to significantly reduced driving performance regardless of whether hands-free devices were used. The reduced performance included (A) missing twice as many simulated traffic signals as when not talking on the phone, and (B) taking longer to react to signals that the drivers did detect.
It was concluded that drivers who use cell phones while driving not only present an increased risk of injury to themselves and others, but also create a greater potential for increased liability for their employers.
*TEXTING IS PROHIBITED WHILE TRUCK IS IN MOTION (IS NOW ILLEGAL)
Cell phone "Hands Free" devices must be used at all times while driving, a driver should limit the time spent on a "call" to a bare minimum when behind the wheel. When a call must be received or placed, pull off the roadway to a safe, protected location and complete the call when possible. Apply the same techniques that would be applied should you need to read a map, check directions, retrieve a dropped cigarette, obtain a water bottle from a cooler in the floorboard, etc. Pull off the road, park, take care of business, secure everything within the vehicle, then re-enter the roadway.
Safe driving always demands complete concentration on the duties of driving. To permit distractions is to increase your chances of catastrophe.