By snoadmin
Using a cell phone while driving is illegal, but the university’s shuttle bus drivers are allowed to use Push-to-Talk cell phones, a spokeswoman for the Parking and Transportation Department said.
These cell phone walkie-talkies are one of many ways to ensure safety while still allowing drivers to communicate with one another to “prevent benching,” department spokeswoman Alyssa Thomas said.
Benching occurs when shuttles don’t maintain an equal distance between one another, Thomas said.
Thomas declined to give resources as to why the Parking and Transportation Services office chose Push-to-Talk phones over other communication devices.
According to the California DMV, drivers of commercial vehicles are exempt from the hands-free cell phone law. However, the vehicle must have “registered commercial plates,” communications and technology supervisor Greg Pascal said.
The law will be re-evaluated in July 2011. Pascal speculates that the reason that the law allows Nextel Push-to-Talk phones is because only two cell phone providers carried Bluetooth technology when the law was passed.
Some students agreed that using communication devices behind the wheel didn’t seem harmful to their safety.
Kelsey Ketchum, a senior who uses the shuttle frequently, said she doesn’t have an issue with behind-the-wheel communication as long as it’s with hands-free devices such as a Bluetooth headset.
Ketchum said the bigger issue with communication devices is texting, as it requires you to “actually take your eyes off the road.”
Despite the cell phones, Tiffany Thompson, a sophomore and regular shuttle rider, said she always feels safe in university shuttle buses because drivers do an outstanding job of following safety rules and procedures.
“Their driving is always excellent. The only problem that I have is some drive slower than others,” Thompson said.
However, Nicole Radovcich, a sophomore who rides the shuttle, said she is really appreciative of shuttle drivers as she understands their jobs are difficult.
“I think that the drivers have one of the hardest jobs on campus. You have to keep the students and the shuttle company happy,” Radovcich said.
She also said she appreciates that drivers really care about students’ needs. They do their best to fill the shuttle to capacity in order to get students to class on time, Radovcich said.
Shuttle bus driver Gary Herron said the job does have its challenges, but it also has rewards that come along with it.
“The students are the ones that make the job great,” Herron said.
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