Safety & service
Why Delivery Messages Must Wait Until the Vehicle Is Parked
A delivery message may contain an address change, a customer request, or a note from dispatch. Its usefulness does not make it safe to read while driving. The same screen that helps organize a route can take attention away from a crosswalk, a braking vehicle, or a lane change. For a delivery driver in Pittsburgh, managing messages safely means deciding in advance when they will be read and answered. Sigma Continental recommends making those communication points part of the route plan.
Recognize what reading a message takes away
Texting combines several forms of distraction: eyes move toward the screen, a hand may leave its driving task, and attention shifts into the conversation. NHTSA identifies texting as especially concerning because it combines these demands. 1 Reading a short message still requires attention that the roadway may need at exactly that moment.
Work-related messages can be particularly persuasive because the driver wants to solve a problem quickly. But a question about a gate code is rarely improved by answering while approaching the gate. A safer sequence is to find an appropriate stopping place, secure the vehicle, and then review the instruction. If the turn is missed, continue safely and resolve the route while parked.
Understand the current Pennsylvania rules
Pennsylvania prohibits sending, reading, or writing text-based communications on an interactive mobile device while a vehicle is moving. Paul Miller’s Law added restrictions on handheld device use effective June 5, 2025. Its definition of driving includes temporary stops for traffic, a signal, or another momentary delay. A red light is therefore not a routine opportunity to pick up the phone. 2
The warning period ended June 5, 2026; a violation of the handheld-device law now carries a $50 fine plus court costs and fees. The law allows device use after moving to a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary and includes an emergency-services exception. 2 These are Pennsylvania rules; drivers crossing state lines must also know the requirements where they operate.
Apply the commercial driving restrictions too
Federal rules separately prohibit texting by drivers operating commercial motor vehicles covered by those requirements. FMCSA explains that reading or entering text on a dispatch device can fall under the prohibition just as it can on a personal phone. Carriers may not require or allow prohibited texting. 3 A company message is not a general exemption.
Ask the safety team which federal and state requirements apply to the assigned vehicle and operation. Follow the stricter applicable company procedure as well. Hands-free technology can reduce handling, but it does not eliminate the attention required to interpret a message or hold a conversation. Avoid replacing one distracting activity with a different version of the same interruption.
Create a communication routine that works
Before departure, set the route, silence unnecessary notifications, and secure the device in its approved location. Use driving-mode settings where available, and tell coworkers that routine messages will be answered at the next safe stop. Stop in a legal, suitable place rather than on a hazardous shoulder simply to respond quickly.
A communication routine works best when both drivers and dispatchers understand it. Dispatch can help by making messages clear, reducing unnecessary exchanges, and avoiding pressure for instant replies from moving vehicles. The driver can help by checking messages at appropriate parked intervals. Both sides should treat a delayed reply as normal when the immediate task is controlling a vehicle around the public.
Sources and further reading
Review current guidance and follow the training and procedures provided for your role.
- NHTSA — Distracted Driving
- Original Safety Articles collection
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Distracted Driving
- PennDOT — Distracted Driving and Paul Miller Law
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — No Texting Rule Fact Sheet
