Restrictions on Texting While Driving Increase
It isn’t just Texas lawmakers who are concerned about texting while driving; now, the Obama Administration is taking steps to prevent distracted driving accidents by banning texting while driving for bus drivers and truckers. It will also push states to pass their own laws against distracted driving.
According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, President Obama recently signed an executive order banning texting while driving for all government workers while on government business, in government vehicles, or using government equipment. The administration is also trying to disqualify for a commercial driver’s license any school bus drivers who are convicted of texting while driving.
Driver distraction, which often involves texting, killed 5,870 people and injured 515,000 last year, according to the Transportation Department. Lawmakers across the country have placed restrictions on texting while driving, including the District of Columbia, where it is illegal to drive and text. Washington D.C. and seven states have even banned handheld cell phone use completely while driving.
One group of people these changes will affect most is truck drivers. Truckers frequently use computers to communicate with their company dispatchers, and often use this technology while driving. The American Trucking Association said they will work with the Transportation Department to reduce driving distractions, although Mississippi personal injury lawyer Robert Kisselburgh wrote an interesting blog recently exploring the Association’s financial interest in keeping these laws from going into effect.
I think this new law is great. Anything to make the roads safer. And if it makes the truckers a little inconvenienced, then so be it. What is more important—saving lives or texting your dispatcher?
Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached toll free at 877-294-1115, or contacted by clicking here.
