Back in the 70's when Chip Davis was recording "Convey" under his alias.. CB's were hot, The band was a jumping and if you hung a receiver on 19 it was hard to drive a mile without hearing something.
Today.. not so much,, I still find them useful, I've heard official DOT broadcasts of road conditions and other stuff that I was very much interested in hearing.. I've found out about traffic issues down the road, and chatted with a few folks.
But mostly I hear... NOTHING.
However this is a fact: When "Stuff" happens, (And Stuff always happens) it pays to have multiple channels of communications on hand.. Cell phones are great.. IF you have a signal.. If not then CB may just save the day (Chan 9 first, then 19 and pray for a trucker with "Ears on") I also have several ham bands I can try (But that requires a license). Communications can, and for many, many, people has already, Make the difference between an article "How Radio Saved My Life" and "We are gathered here today in remembrance of our dearly departed __Author's name here___