03/30/2018
Dangerous Semis: While driving to work this morning, I noticed a semi-tractor and trailer veer across the center line of westbound 30, then pull back into the lane, after starting from an intersection. I was not surprised that the driver was actively READING from her cell phone, while accelerating and presumably into the gear-change process. I suspect her next call will be the Safety Director with whom I spoke (and yes I stopped before doing so). In my career, I've personally been involved with at least a dozen cases of drivers using cell phones - four of which were driving semis. These are professional drivers, operating up to 80,000 pounds of freight and equipment, and violating specific rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, sometimes with deadly consequences. The Safety Director of the company I called took the matter seriously, admitting that they just had an accident where the driver was on a cell phone. If you happen to notice a semi driver on a cell phone, get the name of the company, tractor number and trailer number if possible, and report it to the company. It may seem minor, but without knowing it, you may end up saving someone from devastating consequences, and isn't that worth a 3 minute phone call?!
