Laptop GPS World

A laptop used by a professional truck operator is clearly not for her/his entertainment, even-though an Arizona DOT officer may feel otherwise. It's about the section 393.88 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration spokesman Duane DeBruyne said: “The title of 393.88 is ‘television receivers'. Laptop computers are not television receivers; therefore, they are not prohibited by FMCSA regulations.”

Stephen Campbell, executive director of the non-profit Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance said. “If enforcement is carried to a level of ridiculousness, I think it could be a problem for motor carriers and enforcement as well.”

Land Line Magazine, the business magazine for professional truckers, is following the story.

Has any reader here ever had an encounter with a law enforcement officer that resulted in a warning (or worse) being issued for using a laptop in a car or truck?

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Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

Luckily I haven't. But with my setup, my laptop is physically in the sleeper. When I approach a scale, my small display is always on the GPS, so they think it's nothing more than a GPS unit (dumb cops).

I've been through a couple of traffic stops with my laptop in it's mount and open. One officer didn't mention it, but the other made a point of telling me not to use it while driving.

Rick

A few years ago a lady police officer mentioned to me she thought I could get into trouble if I use my PC while driving, and if a police officer sees me. She didn't appear to know the applicable laws, though, and she didn't ask me to turn it off.

A few months ago another local police officer, who was originally going to check my paperwork, ended up admiring iGuidance 4 in 3D mode on my 15" screen. He called his partner, and then they both started telling me how bad their map on their laptop was in comparison to what I showed them. They didn't say a word against me using a computer, and after the nice talk was over, they left without even checking my paperwork.

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Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

It's amazing how distracting your laptop can be while driving. Definitely a hazard!
This type of multitasking should be avoided- haven't had any close calls but sure find it difficult to keep eyes off the screen. You can train yourself to stop and fiddle with it and change settings or set up for waypoints.
A touch screen helps - but only a tiny bit -
All I can say is BE CAREFUL! - DON'T PUSH THE ENVELOPE!
Use a swivel type mount and have the co-pilot do the diddling or the driving.
Regards andgood luck to all

I don't even look at the computer screen while driving. All I do is just listen to the driving directions given out by iGuidance version 4 combined with listening to the driving directions given out by Streets & Trips 2008.

Gordon, you have a very good point. I try to keep reminding myself quite often that an accident may happen to anyone, no matter how experienced drivers we are. It only takes a fraction of a second of not paying full attention to my driving, and the consequences may be bad. Not just our laptops may be distractions, but cell phones, car radio, car CD player, printed map (anyone still using those?), lipstick (any ladies reading this?), etc, etc. Let's keep the eyes on the road, and as Alan says, all we need to do while driving is to listen to the driving directions spoken by our laptop GPS software.

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Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

Sorry to dig up an old post... but I'm new okay...

I've been using my Laptop for about 6 years now in my Flatbed Tow Truck, and I've never encountered any negative feedback with regards to it... Well except for not having a printer on hand to print off my daily inspection report for an Ministry of Transportation Inspector... But we won't talk about that, right Marvin?

I not only use my Laptop for getting me around, I also use it for my Driver's Daily Log Book... In my travels through Ontario and the eastern USA, the computerized Log Book seems to be accepted... I was actually stopped in Vermont once, and a similar story to Marvin's, the Officer had not seen the Driver's Daily Log on a Computer before, so he called his partner over to take a boo at it too... They were impressed.

Then the Laptop comes in handy when I'm out of town, I get to the Hotel and I'm able to surf the Internet... Pretty much all Hotels offer free High Speed Internet now, but back about 4 years ago you were lucky to find one with High Speed, it was Dial Up back then...

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Ma'am, we're not going to go down there and enforce your Western Bacon Cheeseburger.

This topic will be with us for quite some time, I suspect. Feel free to dig up any interesting topic, Wayne


Long story short, Wayne did his homework, and he won the case . (Most of us wouldn't, but Wayne knows his stuff )

20 years ago businesses didn't need computers. How many businesses can exist without them today? The same goes for people who are on the road many hours each day. Many of us cannot imagine ourselves without our laptops in our cars or trucks.

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Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

Very well said Marvin!

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Ma'am, we're not going to go down there and enforce your Western Bacon Cheeseburger.

Very interesting Wayne - I guess if police can use them so can we - but it
is imperative that you keep your eyes on the road.
Simple solution to your printer problem:
Get a 300W inverter w/ 2 110V duplex outlets ( Can Tire $48 sale $25 )
I picked up an HP printer from WalMart for $19.96.
Both laptop and printer can be plugged in and Bob's Your Uncle - your reports are done.

As an aside - It's amazing how much a laptop will endure when lashed down on a raised platform built on the transmission hump - washboard
is a piece of cake - it's the big holes which jar the daylights out of you and jump the laptop from it's moorings - but it chugs along.

For an added hoot - mount a webcam on your dash and you can show
the non believers what a 4x4 can do in the backwoods.

Working on a submersible webcam for fishing - anyone got some ideas
or leads?

Good to be back

Gordon Kerr

Meh, I like being difficult, I wait until I get home to print my reports!

Oh, and my Laptop is a "semi rugged" Panasonic Toughbook CF-73.

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Ma'am, we're not going to go down there and enforce your Western Bacon Cheeseburger.

one laptop is HP tx14?? touch screen -other is dell 17".

Will post pics soon.

Whats w/ the WesternBacon Cheeseburger ?

I've been off the site for a while.

GK

Pictures are always good...

Here is the story behind my signature...

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Ma'am, we're not going to go down there and enforce your Western Bacon Cheeseburger.

I run Drivers Daily Log as well. Anytime I've been stopped for an inspection, the officers love it. I have a printer in my truck to print them out daily.

Also, I just retired my 17" HP laptop after 2 1/2 years. The laptop was still running perfect, but I felt like I was "pushing the envelope" with it. I replaced it with an HP slimline computer and a 22" monitor (in the sleeper). I also have a 7" monitor hooked up, which is mounted to my sun visor. I have pics here to show my setup (I still need to take more of my new setup).