Joy Thompson - Comments

I feel that the new CMV cell phone law in ridiculous. CMV drivers talk on their radios and walkie-talkies while driving, in order to communicate with dispatch and other CMV drivers. This restricts the driver to the use of one hand and distraction, because their REACHING for the radio, HOLDING the radio and being distracted while discussing the nature of the call, which puts the occupants of the vehicle in danger as well. This is ABSOLUTELY no different than talking on a cell phone. The law should prohibit the use of ANY communication devise while driving, unless you are pulled over to the side of the road with the vehicle in park and the hazard lights activated. AND it should apply to ALL drivers of ANY vehicle. Unless a driver is seen talking on a cell phone by a police office, there is no telling what a driver could be reaching for. Also, drivers, in particular certain people, can be given a ticket by a police officer for the very appearance o, because whose word is it actually when the driver says that he/she was reaching for the radio and the police officer says that it was a cell phone? If it's actually about SAVING LIVES (and not making money), then the law needs to be revised to eliminate the use of cell phones with all drivers or allow the CMV drivers to pull over and use the cell or radio while the vehicle is parked.