Distracted driving has surpassed fatigue as the leading cause of accidents in commercial trucking. A driver taking their eyes off the road for just 5 seconds at 65 mph travels the length of a football field blind. Yet many drivers still use phones, eat, adjust GPS, or engage in other distracting activities while driving. And many carriers don't have clear policies against it. What Counts as Distracted Driving Distracted driving includes anything that takes your attention away from the road: Phone use: - Texting or reading messages - Making or receiving calls (even hands-free) - Using apps (maps, music, social media) - Taking photos or videos Eating and drinking: - Eating meals while driving - Drinking beverages (even water) Adjusting controls: - Changing radio stations - Adjusting climate controls - Adjusting mirrors or seats Grooming: - Shaving, applying makeup, combing hair - Changing clothes Passenger interaction: - Talking to passengers - Disciplining children (if applicable) Fatigue-related: - Rubbing eyes or adjusting posture to stay awake - Nodding off momentarily Vehicle maintenance: - Checking gauges or warning lights excessively - Adjusting cargo while driving The Legal Reality The FMCSA has strict rules about phone use while driving: Prohibited: - Holding a phone while driving - Dialing a phone while driving - Reading text messages or emails while driving - Reaching for a phone in a way that requires removing your hands from the steering wheel or your eyes from the road Allowed: - Hands-free phone calls using Bluetooth - Using a phone mounted on the dashboard (if you can reach it without removing your hands from the wheel) - Using a phone for GPS navigation (if mounted) Violations carry fines up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $27,500 for carriers. The Insurance Impact Distracted driving accidents are increasingly scrutinized in litigation. Plaintiff attorneys will subpoena phone records to prove a driver was texting at the time of an accident. Dashcam footage showing a driver on their phone is devastating evidence. Carriers with documented distracted driving policies, training, and enforcement see lower accident rates and lower insurance premiums. Carriers without these policies face higher premiums and increased liability exposure. How Dashcams Help Driver-facing dashcams provide objective evidence of whether a driver was distracted at the time of an accident. This evidence is invaluable in litigation: - If your driver was distracted and caused an accident, the video proves it — but it also shows what happened and may reveal that the other driver was at fault despite the distraction. - If your driver was not distracted, the video proves it — eliminating a major line of attack by the plaintiff. Drivers who know they're being recorded are significantly less likely to use their phones while driving. Building a Distracted Driving Prevention Program 1. Establish a clear policy. Define what counts as distracted driving. Specify consequences for violations. Make it clear that distracted driving is a terminable offense. 2. Train all drivers. Provide training on the policy, the legal requirements, and the safety risks. Make it clear that this isn't about micromanagement — it's about everyone going home safe. 3. Install driver-facing dashcams. Make it clear that cameras are there to protect drivers, not spy on them. The footage protects drivers when they're not at fault and helps identify coaching opportunities when they are. 4. Review footage regularly. Don't just install cameras and forget about them. Review footage from accidents and near-misses. Use it as a coaching tool. 5. Enforce consistently. If you have a policy against distracted driving, enforce it. If you let some drivers slide, others will feel the policy isn't real. 6. Lead by example. If you're a fleet owner or manager, don't use your phone while driving. Your drivers are watching. The Conversation with Drivers Many drivers resist distracted driving policies, arguing that they need to check their phones for dispatch messages or GPS directions. Address this head-on: - Provide a phone mount so drivers can use GPS without holding their phone - Use a dispatch system that sends alerts through the truck's communication system, not the driver's personal phone - Allow drivers to pull over safely if they need to check their phone - Acknowledge that some phone use is necessary, but it must be done safely What Trux Recommends We work with carriers to develop distracted driving prevention programs that are practical, enforceable, and effective. We help you select and implement dashcam systems that capture driver-facing footage. We review your policies to ensure they align with FMCSA regulations. Most importantly, we help you build a culture where safety is valued over speed. A driver who arrives 5 minutes late but arrives alive is a win.