Truckers Question Potential Ban on Texting While Driving
There’s a growing consensus that texting while driving is highly dangerous and many states are banning the practice altogether. This stems from a myriad of car accidents and studies indicating a strong correlation between texting and distracted driving. For example, a UK study revealed texting while driving was on par with driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Our firm has written a special FREE report on distracted driving, which includes extensive information on texting while driving. Be sure to take a look.
Even with states taking action, a federal ban has been bandied about on Capitol Hill. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has legislation which would deny states a percentage of federal highway funds if they don’t implement a texting while driving ban.
Most people concede texting while driving is something that needs to be restricted. Nevertheless, there is one group of drivers who don’t support such major action – truckers. Many truck companies have computers and handle-held devices in their vehicles in order to communicate with drivers and provide directions. They contend this type of technology should be exempt from any federal legislation.
However, the evidence is not in favor of the trucking industry. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute videotaped drivers who use the computer technology in the cab of their trucks and found they’re at 10 times greater risk of crashing, nearly crashing or wandering from their lane than truckers who did not use those devices, according to the New York Times.
In Virginia (VA), Old Dominion Freight Line is in the midst of a legal battle stemming from a major accident where their truck driver was using a hand-held device and smashed into a motorcyclist. If stories like this continue to emerge, truck companies may not be able to escape federal texting regulation and could be forced to remove, or dramatically alter, their on-board computer devices.
As an injury lawyer who regularly represents people seriously hurt in car/truck accidents, I’m for whatever helps decrease the incidences of these types of accidents. The damage trucks can inflict on people is disturbing and drivers needs to remain alert at all times when they’re behind the wheel.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and our attorneys have experience handling truck accident cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) although our lawyers hold licenses in NC, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube . Furthermore, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.
PA
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
October 11, 2009
Tags: accident, accidents, driving, injury lawyer, Shapiro, texting, truck, trucker, trucking Posted in: Virginia (VA) Trucking Injury/Accidents Topics
Leave a Reply