A Truckers View

 

Textface is not the only dash cam on the road! Many semi-trailer trucks have been equipped with cameras for various reasons. As you can imagine, being a truck driver, always on the road for a living, you would have to deal with the dangers that come with that job. Everyone has dealt with traffic, road hazards, weather, and OTHER drivers. What kind of OTHER drivers? Oh you know, the ones that think they are driving but they really aren’t.

All this gives truckers a very good reason for using dash cams. Some of those reasons are:

• Prove what really happened in an accident with actual video evidence.


• Prevent expensive lawsuits, lawyers, insurance claims / deductibles and higher insurance rates.


• Video proof helps prevent unfair tickets & fines.


• Prevents theft, robbery and vandalism.


• Provides Safety & Security for drivers while parked.

It’s also picking up your texting and driving habits!  Truckers witness a lot on the road and Textface got to ask “Lady Driver”, from Calvert County, MD her views as a trucker and some of the things she has captured on the road. She is a fan of Textface and wants to share her view from the cab.

Q: So Lady Driver, how long have you been on the road as a truck driver?

LD: Been driving since 2003.

Q: How often do you see drivers texting and driving on the road?

LD: 7 out 10 that pass me are texting

Q: How does it make you feel when you see others texting and driving

LD: REALLY ANNOYED THAT THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY SO LITTLE CONCERN FOR OTHERS. IF THEY WANT TO BE RECKLESS, SO BE IT, BUT DON’T DO IT AROUND OTHERS.

Q: Have you seen any accidents due to texting and driving?

LD: Not sure didn’t stay tuned to find out. Plenty of near misses due to texting that I have witnessed.

Q: Can you tell us the craziest things you have seen on the road.

LD: I don’t think you can publish some of what I have seen! Just keep in mind though we can see EVERYTHING you are doing in your cars!

The view as seen by a trucker.

Q: What do you think drivers should know about truck drivers?

LD: Those few seconds are NOT going to get you there any quicker! I know what it’s like being “stuck behind a truck”, take a breather. That trucker may see something up ahead up head you can’t. That trucker is STILL AT WORK. Give us a break, just a little consideration, like we used to have back in the day.

Q: What you would to tell drivers who text and drive.

LD: Grow up! I used to have train horns on another truck I drove. I’m going to get another set, it is funny as hell to watch them after dropping the phone & giving me the finger to tell me I am #1!

Q: Do you enjoy driving?

LD: I used to LOVE driving. People just act so ignorant on the roads. Sorry if I seem to offensive but I am being totally honest! They say “cars will drive themselves in the future” we would be safer!

I see folks behind the wheel that couldn’t even say car last week, now they are driving one?

I have a scanner in my truck too, officers need translators, that means they can’t read the signs, they don’t know the rules of the road, which causes more congestion.

An 8 hour trip has now turned into a 12 hour because Johnny is texting Sue and Jose’ and his family is lost and went the wrong way down a one street and banged into a semi which now has DOT involved. So no, I really don’t enjoy driving anymore.

Q: What are habits you do when you drive or when you need to use the phone?

LD: I am teased a lot. Told I drive with “blinders” on! I have a HUGE habit of watching my mirrors a lot ! My cell is mounted on my dash right next to my steering wheel. So if I have to make a call it is an easy 1 touch call. My blue tooth is the Jawbone Noise Assassin 2 (need that with all the noise in the cab) BUT it needs frequent charging. When it is charging I do NOT take or make any calls. There is a nifty little thing in settings on the iPhone called “do not disturb”.

Q: How do you think the issue of texting and driving should be handled? Laws? Tech?

LD: I think it should be treated as vehicular manslaughter, really. Think about it. These people know what they are doing and yet they still do it. To stop it, stiffen the fines even more, hike them way up! Fines should be tripled. Fines should pay for it’s own task force!

Q: Technology?

LD: Cell providers LOCK devices when in motion. So what if the passenger can’t use it. What did we do as kids? Hold cell providers liable for innocent lives lost!

Q: Education?

LD: Can’t fix stupid…we all know that!

Q: Common sense lol?

LD: Exactly there is hardly any left! Talking on the phone without a hands free is just as bad. I could ramble on and on but this has got to stop somewhere. I just wish you guys could get yourselves into a semi, an SUV is ok but you are not going to see what the “4 wheelers” are doing in their laps!

Textface would like to thank Lady Driver for her time and hope you keep this in mind next time you see the “Big Trucks” on the road.

Keep an eye out for more interviews! If you like to see your story on Textface.com then send an email to rdickey@textface.com. Stay Safe on the road!

 

 

A Truckers View
#textface #ItCanWait #textinganddriving #donttextanddrive