Truck drivers face enormous pressure to spend as much time on the road as possible to avoid delays. As such, it is incredibly tempting to save time by multitasking while driving. This includes taking calls, eating, fiddling with dispatch devices, or texting, among other non-driving tasks. These types of distracted driving can have enormous consequences.
According to the NHTSA, 3,275 people were killed by distracted drivers in 2023. Far more were injured by distracted driving incidents, about 424,000 in 2019 alone, according to one CDC study. The same research found that 20% of those killed in these incidents were pedestrians walking, jogging, or cycling. Another study conducted in 2009 revealed that 71 percent of accidents involving large trucks happened while the driver was distracted.
Besides threatening drivers, fellow motorists, and pedestrians, distracted driving increases the risk of tickets, fines, or regulatory actions. Drivers can be fined up to $2,750 per offense and have their license put on hold for up to 120 days. Additionally, your employer could be fined as much as $11,000.
At 55 mph, a truck travels the distance of a football field (including end zones) in as little as five seconds.
This post reviews the most common types of distracted driving and how drivers can strategically avoid them.
The Main Types of Distracted Driving
There are several ways to consider the driving distraction categories affecting truckers. The CDC, which has studied distracted driving for decades, defines distractions in three broad categories:
- Visual: Distractions that cause you to take your eyes off the road
- Manual: Distractions that involve taking one or both hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: Anything that takes your mental focus off the road
The worst types of distracted driving involve two or all three categories. For example, texting or phone calls involve taking your eyes, hands, and mind off the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can have distracting or deadly consequences. At 55 mph, a truck travels the distance of a football field (including end zones) in as little as five seconds.
More broadly, you can define distracted driving in two categories:
- Distractions inside the truck
- Distractions outside the truck
Also read: What is a DOT physical?
Common Types of Distracted Driving
Distraction in the truck interior:
- Smartphones – Texting, calling, or engaging with social media, apps, or games
- GPS – Programming or adjusting your route
- Eating or drinking – Involves taking one or both hands off the wheel
- Radio – Interacting with dispatcher tools, CB, or onboard music devices such as AM/FM or satellite radio
- Reaching – Taking one hand off the wheel to retrieve an item from the back seat or any other area of the cab
Exterior distractions:
- Billboards
- Other motorists
- Sirens or police activity
- Accident sites
Mental distractions:
- Poor sleep or illness
- Stressful conversations or upsetting news
- Over-caffeination, caffeine pills, or energy drinks
As much as all these distractions apply to truck drivers, it’s essential to know that other drivers on the road also have these temptations and to drive defensively, in other words, by carefully watching other cars on the road.
Also read: Etiquette: Let It Make (Not Break) Your Chances At A Job – Pace Drivers
Plan Ahead to Avoid Distracted Driving
Here are actions truck drivers can take to avoid all types of distracted driving through planning.
- Set your route in advance. Use a GPS device to plan your route before starting your trip. If you need to adjust your route, pull over safely or make a stop before interacting with the device.
- Adjust vehicle settings. Configure your seat, mirrors, and temperature settings before departure.
- Prepare entertainment. Create playlists, queue audiobooks, or download podcasts to enjoy during the drive without interacting with your devices during the journey.
- Secure food and drinks. Finish eating and drinking before driving, and ensure beverages have secure lids to prevent spills.
- Complete communication ahead of time. Call or respond to texts and emails before hitting the road.
- Enable ‘Do Not Disturb.’ Activate your phone’s ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature to minimize notifications and distractions. Several apps automatically engage the ‘Do Not Disturb’ functionality when they detect you are driving.
- Store your phone. Place your phone in a glove box, purse, or bag out of reach to avoid further temptation.
- Notify others. Inform family, friends, and coworkers that you’ll be driving and unavailable for calls or texts. Let them know in advance your downtime and not to contact you unless there is an emergency.
- Plan breaks. Schedule regular rest stops to take breaks, stretch, and check messages safely.
- Avoid driving when mentally fatigued. Do not drive if you are upset, fatigued, or unwell, as this can increase the risk of distractions.
- Use driver assistance features. Utilize features like cruise control, lane assist, or other safety technologies that minimize the need for manual adjustments while driving. Newer truck models have hands-free controls for making calls or using voice commands with your phone. Before driving, familiarize yourself with these controls and remember that hands-free doesn’t mean distraction-free.
- Stay organized. Keep your truck organized with items like maps, logs, and other documents stored in accessible but secure locations to avoid clutter.
When in doubt, pull off the road safely to handle any task that could be a distraction. Any lost time will be far less than the time lost to accidents or traffic stops.
By following these steps, drivers can significantly reduce all types of distracted driving and enhance their focus on the road.
At Pace, we offer comprehensive, ongoing training and mentorship for our drivers and connect them with the resources they need to succeed. We can help you assemble a winning resume, prepare for an interview, or think about the practical considerations of the job, like meeting compliance requirements.
Contact a recruiter today to start your journey.
