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There are many ways in which truckers can cause a truck accident, one of which is improper driving. While many might immediately think of alcohol and drug abuse or even speeding or other behaviors that can potentially cause trouble, research has also shown that texting while driving can also cause car accidents. As many may be aware, this may then result in injury or death.
Truck drivers must follow special rules for using cell phones while driving. Yet, many do not follow the rules. Our truck accident attorneys have found many instances where a truck driver denied using a cell phone, yet we proved they did.
According to research conducted by the FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “texting means manually entering text into, or reading text from, an electronic device.”
This encompasses many different aspects of texting, which includes, but is not limited to:
Additionally, the FMCSA points out that the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event, such as a crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation, and so forth, are 23.2 times greater for CMV drivers who choose to text while driving as opposed to those CMV drivers who do not. The reason for this is quite simple – no matter how “short” sending a text message is, it still requires the individual to take their eyes off the road for the duration that a text is being sent.
According to the FMCSA, traveling at 55 mph is equivalent to traveling approximately 371 feet (roughly the size of a football field) without looking at the road. As such, the driver cannot see what is in front of them, let alone react to it or brake in time.
To combat this important issue, the FMCSA has enacted strict penalties and fines that would work to discourage truckers from engaging in this unsafe practice.
Fines and penalties include:
Distracted driving is more than just texting and can include:
When one looks at the nature of distracted driving, these penalties can be easily understood. As mentioned, although texting while driving seems like a very simple activity that would not take one’s attention away from the roadway for an extended period of time, the exact opposite is true.
No matter how short the activity, even taking one’s eyes off the road for a second can cause major injuries and even death! As noted by the FMCSA, dispatching devices that are a part of the fleet management system should be used for other purposes and not for texting. Ensuring drivers understand these rules will help keep roadways safe.
Sources:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/driver-safety/distracted-driving/no-texting-rule-fact-sheet
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/driver-safety/distracted-driving
Related Resources:
The Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving
Strategies for Eliminating Distracted Commercial Truck Driving
Construction Worker Killed While Placing Cones at Crosby Freeway
