Don't be a boob: turn off the boob tubePosted by Adam Ledlow at 01:09 PM
During my 45-minute commute every morning, I've seen every manner of dangerous habits from four-wheeler and trucker alike: gabbing on the cell phone, fiddling with GPS maps, texting feverishly on the Blackberries, and among the latest techno-distractions, watching video on dash-mounted flatscreens. Up until now I thought this was solely the pursuit of car drivers (a least from what I've seen), and it's usually been used to sedate fussy child-passengers in the backseat.
But in an article I read from the Associated Press this morning, it seems some truckers are getting in on the action as well. A British trucker has had his license suspended after alledgedly watching episodes of Battlestar Gallactica on his laptop set atop his dash. Though the driver's lawyer claims he was accessing Google Maps while listening to the show, the driver pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at an earlier hearing. I guess I know why they call it the "boob tube."
And now I'm just curious: Has anyone actually seen another trucker watching TV while driving? What's the most ridiculous thing you've seen a trucker doing while driving? Did you report it?
Comments
I may use my cell phone but my eyes never leave the road for more than a second.I've even put people on hold in city traffic until the hazard clears.
The most shocking thing I've seen from a trucker was a guy hauling doubles while reading a book.
Posted by: David Robson | October 6, 2008 09:03 PM
In between Golden and Revelstoke BC, I passed another trucker who was watching something on a laptop placed on his dash. He was so into his show, I don't think he even acknowledged i was passing him. And I sure am glad it was on a four lane stretch, but it doesn't take away the fact it is a very unorthodox way of driving.
Posted by: blackjack | October 12, 2008 01:41 PM
I think people need to be careful whom ever uses a cell phone or otherwise.. Please note not all truckers are bad drivers their are a lot of people whom cut off these truckers for no apparent reason other than they want to be first. My husband is a trucker and he had this fellow pass him and slow down to 60 km,in a 70 km zone. He could have caused and accident, they don't care then they just step on it and take off.. I feel for the drivers of big rigs as there is a lot of poor drivers out there without class 1's. If you drove with them for one day you would have a different outlook on driving and jumping in front of big rigs. People think they can stop on a dime. Not even the ordinary vehicle can stop quickly. Sorry if I got off track,but yes there is more smaller vehicles on the cell than big trucks. They are not paying attention to the road or conditions ahead of them. Rhoda
Posted by: Rhoda Gobbi | October 17, 2008 07:39 PM
I am amazed on how many trucks in northern ontario that drive on the wrong side of the road
Posted by: wayne | November 18, 2008 02:00 PM