April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time for all of us to refocus on the most important part of the job: getting home safely. At Pohl Transportation, your safety and your career are our top priorities. While technology keeps us connected, it can also be our biggest liability if not handled correctly.
Recently, one of our own faced a $650 court battle over a hand-held cell phone violation—simply for having a phone on their lap. It’s a steep price to pay for a moment of convenience, but the cost to your career can be even higher.
The Real Cost of a Hand-Held Violation
A single citation for hand-held phone use is a “serious violation” in the eyes of the FMCSA. Beyond the immediate fines, consider the long-term impact: most carriers will not offer employment for up to five years if you have a hand-held violation on your MVR.
To protect your CDL and your future, remember that FMCSA regulations strictly prohibit:
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Holding a phone in your hand to make a call.
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Using more than one button to dial.
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Reaching for a phone if it requires moving out of your natural, seated driving position.
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Texting (which carries massive fines—up to $2,750 for drivers and $11,000 for carriers).
Best Practices for Hands-Free Success
Your phone must always be mounted and in a fixed position. Even when using Bluetooth or hands-free devices, your brain is still divided between the conversation and the road. To stay sharp:
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Mount it up: Ensure your device is secured before you hit “Drive.”
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Know when to ignore: Avoid accepting calls in heavy traffic, construction zones, or bad weather.
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Keep it brief: Save the long stories for when you’re parked at a break.
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Wait for the stop: If you need to do more than one-touch dialing, pull over to a safe location first.
Let’s use this month to break bad habits and reinforce the good ones. Keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your phone in its mount.
Stay safe out there!