TRUCK DRIVERS: ON-BOARD COMPUTERS ARE A DISTRACTION
There has been discussion throughout the country regarding the need to institute a ban on texting while driving. The ban would also apply to computers located in the cabs of trucks. Many individuals and groups are in support of the ban; however, according to the New York Times, the trucking industry is against such a ban saying that these devices can be used safely.
Clayton Boyce, spokesman for the American Trucking Associations, said, "we think that's overkill" referring to a federal bill that would force states to ban texting while driving if they want to continue to receive funds from the federal government for highways. Mr. Boyce argues that computers used by truck drivers require less concentration than phones. Mr. Boyce suggests that the trucks "have a screen that has maybe two or four or six lines of text." Mr. Boyce went on to say, "And they’re not reading the screen every second."
As an attorney in Chicago who represents victims of trucking negligence cases, I am definitely not convinced that the computers require less concentration than phones. Frankly, truck drivers do not need any distractions while driving. Given the amount of weight that the average tractor-trailer weighs going at highway speeds, a split-second of distracted driving could have disastrous effects. Truck drivers should be required to pull over to use their computers and they should be banned from operating them en route.
