Federal Govt. Bans Texting By Commercial Truckers
by Robert on 27/01/10 at 9:54 am
The U.S. Department of Transportation has released regulatory guidance that prohibits commercial truck and bus drivers from cell phone texting while driving. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made the announcement yesterday, which goes into effect immediately. The ban applies to inter-state truck drivers and also applies generally to commercial bus or van drivers who carry more than 8 passengers.
“We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe,” Secretary LaHood said. ”This is an important safety step and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.” Commercial drivers cited for texting can be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.
A St. Louis television station filed this report about the new ban:
Among other initiatives, the Transportation Department is pushing Congress to enact an across-the-board ban on texting in all 50 states. Nineteen states including Virginia have already banned texting while driving.
Many safety experts, including Virginia Tech researchers, believe that “DWT” (driving while texting) can be as dangerous as driving under the influence.
While most Virginians operate their vehicles responsibly, distracted driving leads to accidents virtually every day in the state. If you–or someone you love–have been injured in a Virginia automobile accident caused by a distracted driver, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Personal Injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, P.C., Toll Free 877-544-5323, for a no-obligation consultation.
Feds Want To Make Temporary Commercial Texting Ban Permanent | The Virginia Accident Lawyer
Apr 5th, 2010
[...] implement rules that would make permanent a ban on texting by commercial truckers and bus drivers. Interim rules prohibiting mobile texting went into effect in January. In making the announcement, Transportation [...]