Distraction Driving Truck Laws
Although cell phones are extremely useful throughout our everyday lives, they have also created a serious hazard on the road. Drivers of all types of vehicles—cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, buses, semi-trucks, commercial vehicles—have become distracted by the myriad functions their phones are able to perform.
Attorney Todd Clement holds distracted truck drivers accountable for their actions by seeking the maximum compensation possible for victims.
Driving Distraction Statistics
While this distraction is dangerous for each driver regardless of vehicle type, special concern is given to semi-truck and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers due to the size of their vehicles and the potential for fatal distraction accidents. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s research shows that light trucks, large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes in 2009 account for 21,338 out of 45,435 (almost 50%) total accidents.
Additionally, a 2009 Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study showed that texting distracted driving increases a truck driver’s risk of being in a crash by 23 times.
Because of these startling numbers and the relationship between the driver being distracted and their involvement in a serious accident, state and federal laws have been proposed and/or passed banning the use of cell phones for calling/texting/emailing purposes for truck drivers while they are driving.
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Federal Distraction Driving Laws for Trucks
In 2010, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood’s issued a federal regulation banning commercial bus and truck drivers from texting while driving. Distractions such as texting cause accidents and fatal injuries, and drivers being distracted behind the wheel by texting may face civil and criminal penalties.
In December of 2010, the U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also proposed a separate rule that would prohibit commercial drivers from reaching for cell phones, holding cell phones and manually dialing cell phones. Drivers found in violation of this rule would also face fines for each offense and disqualification of their CDL for multiple offenses.
These laws represent the ongoing effort to prevent catastrophic distraction accidents and life-threatening injuries. Cell phone use and other driving distractions are difficult to ignore, but the safety of all drivers on the road depends on keeping full attention on the road. When a distracted truck driver causes a serious accident, the victims must fight for justice and to prevent others from harm.
Contact Our Distraction Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries as a result of a truck driver’s texting or other distractions, contact attorney Todd Clement at The Clement Firm. He has over 25 years of experience fighting for the justice and compensation that victims of distracted driving accidents deserve. Todd is a leader in distracted driving law and will thoroughly investigate your case.