GOVERNMENT IMPOSES NEW DRIVING RESTICTIONS ON COMMERCIAL TRUCK AND BUS DRIVERS
As part of an effort to combat traffic deaths due to distracted drivers, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has formally banned commercial truckers and bus drivers from texting with any handheld cellphone or other device while behind the wheel.
For those who insist on putting their passengers and other travelers at risk, the DOT promises there will be consequences: Any truck or bus driver who violates the Federal regulations mentioned in this guidance is subject to a penalty up to $2,750.
The DOT also stated in their official blog "Welcome to the Fast Lane," that in the near future they will propose additional legal remedies and develop new tools that will help them work alongside the law enforcement community, safety advocates, researchers, and others, to find new ways to raise awareness and bring an end to the terrible dangers posed by distracted driving.
Although this new prohibition focuses on commercial truckers and bus drivers, it is important that all drivers refrain from texting while driving. In 2008, more than 5,800 people died in accidents where at least one form of driver distraction was cited in the crash report. According to government research, on average, drivers who send and receive text messages while driving take their eyes off the road for approximately 4.6 seconds out of every six seconds while texting. During that time, if driving 55mph, a car will travel the length of a football field. As a result, drivers who text while driving are more than 20 times more likely to get into an accident than non-distracted drivers.
