We just read an article about the potential problems of people texting while driving their car. This week we take the discussion a step further and look at truckers’ activities while driving. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.
What uses of technology by truckers do you think is justified? What impact would the banning of using computers in the truckers’ cabs have on safety and on their income? Respond to the following quotation: “The study found that truckers using on-board computers take their eyes off the road for an average of four seconds, enough time at highway speeds to cover roughly the length of a football field.” How do you feel about Mr. Long’s explanation for not pulling over to read messages? Look at the multimedia graphic about understanding why truckers crash. What is most interesting or surprising in the graphic? If you were writing a federal bill to control the use of technology while driving, what would you include in the bill?
Trucker Article
26 comments:
I think that the use of the device where you only have to touch one button is justified. It is as safe as using the radio and the truckers can still get all of the information the need. If the government banned the computers then the truckers income would become lower because they would have to pull over and waste time every time they needed to use it, and it would also have an impact on their safety because some truck drivers need those distractions to keep them awake and alert. The quote, “The study found that truckers using on-board computers take their eyes off the road for an average of four seconds, enough time at highway speeds to cover roughly the length of a football field,” scares me because I’ve always been scared of big trucks while on the highway and just knowing that they are taking their eyes off the road that long while I could be passing by just disturbs me. What’s really interesting in the graphic is that truck drivers would clean there mirrors or something like that while driving. If I wrote a bill I would ban texting from a cell phone and using computers while driving. But then also I would also add in that all truckers should have the devices that just use a button to get all their information by voice.
Having only to touch a button is the use of technology by truckers I think is justified. Sometimes you don’t even have to look at the computer because you only touch a button. If the use of computers in truckers’ cabs is banned the would affect their income because if they waste their time pulling over they lose those minutes that could be used driving on the road. If they don’t get to their final destination on time, their paychecks get cut and they won’t be able to get a greater income. It would impact their safety because truckers drive for hours and hours and they begin to lose focus so without the computers they don’t have those distractions so keep them awake and aware. I kind of disagree with the explanation made by Mr. Long about not pulling over to read messages because getting those four second depends on how the traffic is and how clear the road is. It scares me a bit because as you are using those four you never know what is going to come up, most likely resulting in an accident. The thing that interested me the most in the multimedia graphic is that the truck drivers also can clean while driving like the side mirrors. If I wrote a bill I would ban the use a cell phones and computers in any type of transportation, but I would include that anyone who is controlling a form of transportation should have a ear piece connected to the cell phone so that they could have both hands on the wheel and focus on the road.
-Rachel
I think if you use the touching two buttons system it would be better for truck drivers to drive safer on the road, and it wouldn't take them that much time to get out of the car and using it each time they want to. I think it wouldn't be as dangerous, and distracting as using a blackberry, or any modern type of phone. Usually when it comes to trucks you wouldn't want as much accidents as normal cars do, it's very dangerous, that's why their trying to give them the best system that would distract them the least. That is the two buttoned system. I think that would make the best undistractable technology system, and it wouldn't make AS much accidents as any other. But, what I would also suggest is not having any phones at all in trucks since they can be easily distracted, and if they get into an accident it gets very bad, and lots of injuries. I think the buttons should be illustrated by voice, for example when the truck driver starts driving and he can't look at the two buttoned technology computer system, then while he's driving it would be better if he just speaks out the buttom that he is looking for, therefore he can drive in a better way, no distractions, and doesn't have to look at the screen which would make him nervous with all the driving.
I think that the one touch button is pretty much the only justified use of computers in the trucker’s cabs. Banning the use in my opinion wont help, people will still do it, instead though this time they will try to do it secretly which is more dangerous and could result in serious injury or death. Along with danger it will decrease the income because the system makes it easier for truckers to find their way and in shorter time therefore giving them more time to finish another job. I think that even if it will take their eyes off for 4 seconds it is still necessary to direct them to where they want to go. I feel that the explanation is usual of everything people do at work, the faster you do something the more you can get done which in return gives you more income especially for truckers. I’m surprised on of the largest reasons was using a calculator, why would any trucker want to use a calculator? I would ban the use of the phone but instead allow drivers to use a hands free device to make up for it.
I think that the use of the device of having to touch only one button is justifiable. You just touch one button so you rarely look on the computer. And, it also can act like a navigator, so for truck drivers, it could be their entertainment and navigator. If using computers on truck is banned, then they would have lower income because the truck has to be pulled over to be used, which sums up to great loss of time. It think it also impacts their safety because if they don't have the two-button computer,which takes the least distraction, they would have more distraction and stress. The quote “The study found that truckers using on-board computers take their eyes off the road for an average of four seconds, enough time at highway speeds to cover roughly the length of a football field,” caught my eyes and scared me off because all members in my family hate big trucks because when big trucks on the highway is seen distracted, they gets in our way, which leads to big accidents. I also think we have to listen and agree to Mr.Long's explanation for not pulling over to read messages, because if truck drivers keep pulling over and check messages, the chance of an accident will highly increase. What interested me in the multimedia graphic is that truck drivers spend time cleaning their mirrors used in driving. Because most trucks I see, their mirrors are very dirty. If I was writing a federal bill to control the use of technology while driving, I would include in the bill to upgrade the two-button computer by leading people by sounds. Which leads to comfort and no distractions.
I think that this article is making things seem a lot scarier in regards to the computers in the trucks than it really is. The "[the drivers while using computers] take their eyes off the road for an average of four seconds, enough time at highway speeds to cover roughly the length of a football field." isn't justified. Did they also mention that most highways are very, very straight? No, because then it doesn't seem scary and people don't want to read on. On a straight highway, all you need to do is hold the steering wheel with you're knee for the small amount of seconds that they're typing. And the companies can just give the truckers some keyboarding lessons.
The one button idea is justified because it saves a lot of time and concentration for the truck drivers. I'm completely aware that the computer idea might be a bit dangerous, but with all the pressure and deadlines weighing down on the driver, (which would build up if the driver had to keep pulling over,) the driver would be under a lot of stress and face the risk of getting a cut pay. I realize that having one's eyes of the road for the length of the football field could be dangerous, but it might be a good idea if truck drives had typing classes to learn to type while having their eyes on the road, then they could look back just to know where to click next. I agree with Mr. Long because if the pulled over multiple times, their salary would get cut significantly, which is not good. The multimedia graphic is surprising because someone could crash if they look down for a brief moment to just pick up their coffee. If I was writing the bill I would definitely include typing classes for extra safety precautions.
The use of technology by truckers is only justified when all they have to do is push a button. The banning of computers in the truckers' cabs would increase safety. I do not buy the idea that technological devices improve safety by keeping drivers alert. In my book, any distraction from the road is dangerous. However, the banning of computers would also have a negative impact on the situation, because if the drivers were forced to pull over, they could fall behind schedule and arrive late, which would hurt their incomes. Four seconds is much too long for a driver's eyes to be diverted from the road, especially when on the highway. Mr. Long's explanation for why truckers cannot pull over is fair, but I wonder if it is worth the risk. Looking at the graphic, I was surprised at how dangerous it is to text while driving, compared with dialing a cell phone or looking at a map. If I wrote a bill, I would ban driver texting and cell phone use, but I would allow the devices that simply require pushing one button.
I think it is justified for truckers to use the necessary computer systems they already do. Banning the computer systems would probably improve their safety, but not that significantly so that it would be worth the big losses of income due to lack of time and being late on deliveries. The quote definitely shows how risky the computers can be, but people take their eyes off the road all the time for a number of different small reasons. Mr. Long’s explanation for not pulling over to read messages was very understandable, but also shows a lack of the sense of responsibility. What I was surprised about the graph was that looking at a map was such a low risk, because it requires you to look at it more carefully than for example at a calculator, which was still a higher risk. If I were writing a federal bill, I would require the use of a hands free machine while using the phone, and ban texting and the use of computers for entertainment.
I think having a device where you only have one button is vindicated. It wouldn’t make sense at all for the drivers, to waste lots of precious times on their hands, which they could be earning their family, some money behind the wheel of the truck, instead of just stopping every minute, while they could be producing money. Using the device doesn’t matter; it won’t affect the driver, because it’s exactly like turning the radio ON or OFF, it’s simply a glimpse of seconds and its done. “The study found that truckers using on-board computers take their eyes off the road for an average of four seconds, enough time at highway speeds to cover roughly the length of a football field.” This quotation, would make everyone worried and terrified, as well as me because each one in this world having to look up to something large such as a truck is scary, ex. little kid looking at a senior. Trucks could be very distracting which could lead to accidents. I would definitely agree with Mr. Long, and you might be surprised but the truth of the matter is that the prices, and the income will be cut down extensively, and nobody wants that. I think the most surprising thing I realized on the multimedia graphic is that the fact of you can lose your life of just cleaning a side mirror, but it still sounds ironic to me for someone to be using a calculator, what are the chances? Low? If I wrote a federal bill, I would most definitely including big, bold letters NO PHONES USED WHILE DRVING, IF YOU ARE CAUGHTYOU WILL BE FINED $400.
Honestly, I think it makes sense the truck drivers use technology to help them get orders and satellite maps but it is the same thing as texting and it is very distracting. So I think it should be voice automated so they don’t have to take there eyes of the road. Banning computers will do nothing these people need some sort of way to communicate and if they don’t have computers they will just use phones. It will do nothing to affect the safety what they need to do is improve ways of communication. There income won’t be as much because they will do less orders because it will waste time these computers are helping them not waste time. I think this is a good point and this is why I don’t think computers should be allowed. I also think they should pull over. Is how many of them took there eyes of the road and how they thought of it lightly. That there should be a way to improve communication between truck drivers and there dealers and until then ban computers in trucks.
I believe the idea with a computer with only one button is justified because it will help truck drivers to save a lot of time. Yes, the whole idea with a computer could be potentially dangerous, but with all the time limits, as well as with money constraints, the drivers are under constant pressure to arrive on their destination on time. I think that truck drivers should be exempt out of this law, as they are not texting messages or doing anything for themselves. They should definitely be banned from using cell phones or sending messages while driving. The fact that the truck drivers have in their cab a screen that has 2 – 4 lines of text (and since they are not reading the screen often), makes a solid ground for them to request an exemption! The fact that in recent years fatalities involving large trucks have fallen slowly, also makes a good supporting case for truck drivers. It should be noted that some companies forbid the drivers of their trucks, while on regional routes, to use a cell phone or to text while driving.
I think the ability to use the computers for truckers while they are driving should be prohibited. If a trucker looks at the screen for an average of 4 seconds then there is an extremely high risk that they will run a red light, or that a pedestrian will be run over while crossing the street. The government is completely justified to ban the uses of the computers because what is the difference between a computer and a cell phone? If the government were not to ban the computers I would say that they should legalize the use of phones. The truckers should also worry about their own safety and other citizen's safety, that is more important then digits on a clock telling you whether you are on time or not. I think Mr. Long's explanation was not a valid explanation and should not be taken seriously. I did not understand the Multimedia, on the other hand I did see that truckers have a higher percentage of crashing. I believe this is because they are constantly in a rush, need to drive in any condition's, and do not have a reasonable amount of sleep making them tired while driving!
If I wrote a federal bill I would make sure that I either have "Phones are OK so are computers" or " Phones are prohibited as our computers." I find that the idea of using phones and computers while driving come hand in hand.
:)
I think the idea of having to just touch a botten to make somehting wokr is cool. If a computer just needs one touch to make it work that it's better than using a phone in the car because that's really dangerous and it takes alot of consentration to text and drvie because of all the numbers but i think it's easier to use the one touch botton computer because you don't have to try so hard to just touch a botton.
The idea of a truck covering the distance in a second, you will probably be hit before you know what is happening. But the larger display makes it quicker to read than on a handheld, which is also a small improvement. Also that they can stay in contact and even awake in a long overnight trip. The second though in most cases is not to bad, but to check everything on the display takes a bit longer than that. I would not allow any such things in a ruck, because of the above reason.
I think that truckers should be aloud to use the device where you only touch one button. It helps them to navigate and find the places they need to go.
But still I think that it’s necessary to pull over if you want to read messages because it’s really risky to read while driving, and especially risky t0 answer while driving.
If there would be a total ban of using computers while driving the owners of the trailers think they will loose up to an hour driving time daily for each driver, and that represents a lot of money. But on the other hand that would make the journey much more safe. In 2007 larger trucks were involved in 12 percent of all traffic deaths in the US.
If you drive in high speed, not looking at the road the length of a football field, you are just lucky if you don’t hit something on the way. It’s indeed dangerous driving. What if at kid on a bicycle drives along the road and suddenly just comes a little bit too far out on the road? The trucker wouldn’t have a chance to stop.
It is easy to understand that Mr. Long doesn’t want to pull over to read messages. If he looses money, of course he won’t. But at the end he proves himself to be wrong. You can‘t use devices in order to stay awake. In that case you shouldn‘t be driving at all.
It is indeed surprising that texting on a cell phone is so much more dangerous than for example cleaning a side mirror and looking at a map, or writing in a notebook.
If I were to write a federal bill to control the use of technology while driving I would ban all use of hand-controlled devices in order to encourage the developing of voice-controlled advices.
IDUNN
I thinnk the uses of technology is where you only have to touch the button once to justify. They can just listen to the radio and learn stuff from the radio. If they took out the computers from the truck, people wont buy trucks a lot they would loose money and its a waste of time for the driver. When they said that quote i got scared because its scary how ppl take there eyes out of the road and not pay attension infront of them.
I think that the idea of having computers in cars isn't that bad but when you abuse the idea like using the computer while on a busy highway. For a bill that would go against abusing technology in vehicles I would put that you are allowed to use the computer while in a car but not when you are driving like if you are stuck in traffic sure go ahead but if you are driving then no way.
I think that this is even more dangerous than texting while driving, because even though texting is more distracting, trucks are much harder to drive, turn and control. A lot more accidents happen with trucks because of this, and their large size effects how hard it is to avoid an accident. I think technology use should only be justified for drivers if they can only use it when the vehicle is not in motion, in order to cause less accidents. The banning of using computers in trucker's cabs would probably be safer, and it wouldn't lower their income because they wouldn't be delayed by it. If four seconds is enough time to cover the length of a football field, it is definitely more than enough time to cause serious damage. I think that Mr. Long's explanation for not pulling over to read messages makes sense, but he should still pull over, because his safety is more important. The multimedia graphic about understanding why truckers crash is surprising because I expected the numbers to be higher. If I were to write a federal bill to control the use of technology while driving, I would try to eliminate it as much as possible.
I think that the device where you use one button is justified. I think that it is safe to use that in truckers, and the truckers can get the information that they need. their income would be lower, because they would waste time, but on the other hand I think that they would be safer because they can keep their eyes on the street. I think that this quote is so true because like I said they aren't focusing on the road. The grapghic is really interessting because it does the stuff with the windows (I think). I would say in the bill that they should use the buttons and find them a way to keep their eyes on the street :D
The use of the device having to touch one button is justified. It is going to be much safer in a way, but it definitely would lower the income since they have to take a lot of time to find out the locations and other information they have to pull out. The quote, “The study found that truckers using on-board computers take their eyes off the road for an average of four seconds, enough time at highway speeds to cover roughly the length of a football field" scared me because when I see big trucks and they get into my family's cars, I get really afraid since it would almost look like an accident since they are too close to my car. In Mr. Long’s explanation for not pulling over to read messages, I agree with the statement truck drivers because if they stop over to look at messages, it would be a waste of time and the chance of having an accident would gradually increase. What is interesting about the media graphics is that truck drivers also clean their back mirrors. I never thought they would clean their back mirrors. If I was to write a federal bill to control the use of technology while driving, I would include voice explanation.
The use of the device having to touch one button is justified. It is going to be much safer in a way, but it definitely would lower the income since they have to take time to find out the locations and other information they have to pull out. The quote, “The study found that truckers using on-board computers take their eyes off the road for an average of four seconds, enough time at highway speeds to cover roughly the length of a football field" scared me because when I see big trucks and they intercept my family's cars, I get really scared since it would almost look like an accident since they are too close to my car. In Mr. Long’s explanation for not pulling over to read messages, I totally agree with it because truck drivers because if they stop over to look at messages, it would be a waste of time and the chance of having an accident would increase. What is interesting about the media graphics is that truck drivers also clean their back mirrors. I never thought they would clean their back mirrors. If I was to write a federal bill to control the use of technology while driving, I would include voice explanation.
I find that the one button touch is alot more affective Because truckers can use the computers wile driving instead of pulling over to try to use the computers. This would cost truckers alot of time but with the one button strategy it is alot more affective and saves the truckers alot of time and money.
Jan Kuttab.
Student bl ogging is a very good way for new students to learn about their new school and the students there, and also to read about what the students themselves think about the school. The negative thing about student blogging is that sometimes the blogs aren’t very good and about unimportant things and that makes the school website look unorganized and ridiculous.
I’m not sure if I think it’s ethical to use student blogs for marketing purposes. It’s OK for information reasons, but one shouldn’t mix marketing and information. I think ACS could have a blog, not for marketing, but it’s a school with a large turnover so it would be great for newcomers to get an impression of the school not just from the official side. I think blogging for the school website could be a part of a class, supervised by a teacher. In that case it would be natural for the teacher to edit the blogs, but the whole idea with blogs is to let different ideas be published, so the ”censorship” would rather be communicating with the teacher before publishing.
I think it’s fair that the student bloggers get paid in money because blogging takes a lot of time and it can be considered as a job like writing columns for a newspaper. The students could also get paid by getting it to be a part of the curriculum.
I read, "LET'S PLAY" posted by Jenny X. '13 on October 10, 2009. It’s not so much opinion as it is information about sport at MIT. It gives a great impression about student life at MIT.
Idunn
Student blogging is a very good way for new students to learn about their new school and the students there, and also to read about what the students themselves think about the school. The negative thing about student blogging is that sometimes the blogs aren’t very good and about unimportant things and that makes the school website look unorganized and ridiculous.
I’m not sure if I think it’s ethical to use student blogs for marketing purposes. It’s OK for information reasons, but one shouldn’t mix marketing and information. I think ACS could have a blog, not for marketing, but it’s a school with a large turnover so it would be great for newcomers to get an impression of the school not just from the official side. I think blogging for the school website could be a part of a class, supervised by a teacher. In that case it would be natural for the teacher to edit the blogs, but the whole idea with blogs is to let different ideas be published, so the ”censorship” would rather be communicating with the teacher before publishing.
I think it’s fair that the student bloggers get paid in money because blogging takes a lot of time and it can be considered as a job like writing columns for a newspaper. The students could also get paid by getting it to be a part of the curriculum.
I read, "LET'S PLAY" posted by Jenny X. '13 on October 10, 2009. It’s not so much opinion as it is information about sport at MIT. It gives a great impression about student life at MIT.
Idunn
Post a Comment