DOT Entry Level Driver Training – Safe Operating Procedures: Distracted Driving

Whether you are driving in city traffic or cruising along on a quiet country road, your focus and attention must remain on the job at hand – safely transporting cargo or passengers to their desired locations. Whenever you are driving and your full attention is not on the road, you are putting yourself, your passengers or cargo, other drivers, and pedestrians in danger. Driver inattention is a factor in many accidents and near-misses. In 2019, over 3,100 lives were lost and around 424,000 people were injured in crashes that involved a distracted driver. Cell phones and other in-cab devices can be a big distraction, which is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) specifically addresses cell phone use by drivers of commercial motor vehicles. This course discusses the dangers of distracted driving, fines and penalties associated with cell phone use by CMV drivers, and ways to stay alert and in control while driving. After all, a safe driver is the best driver.

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Course Details

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • List things you can do to help stay awake, alert, and in control while driving
  • Identify potential in-cab and outside distractions for CMV drivers
  • Recall cell phone practices that are illegal while driving
  • Describe what happens if you are caught using a cell phone illegally while driving a CMV

Specs

Course Level Fundamental
Languages English
Compatibility Audio, Video, MobileReady, Responsive

Bob Jonas

Bob Jonas began his trucking adventure in 1973, at the age of twenty-three, driving for a new company that manufactured windows. First employed to drive 20-foot straight trucks, over the next 15 years he logged over a million miles in 11 western states. Starting with 40-foot dry vans, increasing in size to 53 feet, he also pulled doubles, occasionally triples, flatbeds, and reefers (refrigerated trailers). In addition to delivering windows, he was required to back haul everything from raw glass, cereal, oyster shells, potato flakes, paper, Christmas trees, and swinging horse meat. He was also given the responsibility of testing new hires. After leaving the company he had worked for so long, Jonas's life headed in another direction, where he was still able to use his driving skills for part time work. In the next few years, he worked the Christmas rush for UPS, hostling, driving doubles and triples. He also worked for another company delivering 5,000 lbs. spools of newsprint, as well as container pick and delivery to the docks and rail yards. His final miles were logged part time for another window manufacturer. Never knowing what road he would travel next, Bob didn't give up his CDL until 2014.

Course Applies To

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