Nationwide Ban On Texting While Driving for Truck Drivers and Bus Drivers | Dallas, Texas Personal Injury Attorney Blog

The federal government formally barred truckers and bus drivers from sending text messages while behind the wheel. Under this new legislation, drivers of commercial vehicles caught texting could be fined up to $2,750.

Although some critics of the legislation claim that enforcement of texting ban is problematic, and that it might prove more symbolic than practical. However, most legislators see this as a first step towards creating an environment that discourages distracted driving. “We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.”

LaHood has made the effort to curtail driver distractions a centerpiece of his tenure as the nation’s top transportation official. A study released by Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute found that when truckers text, they are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or close call. In announcing the ban, LaHood mentioned data compiled last year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The agency said that texting drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 out of every six seconds. At 55 mph, he said, that means a texting driver travels the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road.

In addition, there appears to be a growing movement towards a nationwide ban against texting while driving that would apply to all drivers. One group of senators has drafted legislation that seeks to bar all texting while driving. In addition, members of the House of Representatives are working on their own bills to restrict texting while driving.