I use the DIAD most of the time to communicate with the center. Last night it made me at least an extra 1 ot.
Wow, not a bad thing.
I'm totally new and just finished the one week training for drivers. I hope to be a casual driver this peak. the guy who led our group was the safety director for the district. He told us that if he, personally, ever saw us even holding a cell phone while the wheels were in motion that he'd fire us. I'm one of the two people left on Earth that don't have a cell phone, but if I start driving I'm going to have one so I can call my supe when I can't figure a way out of my DIAD. But here's what I'll do, according to my training group leader's suggestions:
Tell your wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, friends, foes, strangers that you cannot answer the cell phone while you're working. Place your phone in your bag or lunch sack, and stow it behind the bulkhead door in the cargo section. If you need to use it, be sure you're pulled over and stopped. If there is a family emergency, they should call the center, which will send you a message through the DIAD.
Using or even holding a cell phone while driving is distracting, which I know you'd all agree is extremely dangerous. Go on YouTube and look up distracted driving. There are far too many horrible and affecting videos detailing fatal collisions. I think that I'm a good driver. But I'm not super human (that's a few days away), and if I'm holding something in my hand while driving I'd be tempted to pay some attention to it, which in turn would take that attention away from driving. this includes using a Bluetooth device.
I'm completely in favor of canning drivers who use cell phones while driving. UPS is renowned for its drivers' skills. You're in a fish bowl while on duty where everyone can see you. And report you.