Federal Government Bans Texting by Heavy Truck Drivers

The U. S. Government has at last banned texting with handheld devices by anyone driving a heavy commercial truck and or bus to help prevent the major danger that is distracted driving.

This prohibition took effect on January 26^th. It follows a nearly identical ban issued in December banning drivers from texting with a handheld device while behind the wheel of a government vehicle.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s office put out the following public statement:

“We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe. This is an important safety step and we will be making more effort to eliminate the threat of distracted driving. Research by trucking regulators show that drivers take their eyes off the road for much of the time that they send and receive text messages. As a result, they are significantly more at risk of getting into an accident than someone who is not texting.”

An advocacy and research group, The National Safety Council, has estimated that 200,000 vehicle accidents have occurred on U.S. roads each year due to drivers operating text message devices. Almost 24 states ban reading or sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle. Numerous other states are currently debating such laws. Legislation is currently pending in the U.S. Congress to ban the practice. Numerous companies also ban sending and/or reading text messages by employees while behind the wheel on company time.

Due to the obvious differences in size, when a passenger car crashes with a heavy truck those in the passenger car damages are quite likely. Those damages tend to be catastrophic, serious injuries and include major damaged property for those riding in or driving the passenger car. The truck operator generally walks away with no or very little injury.

Our firm believes that those who cause accidents need to be accountable for those accidents. This includes heavy truck drivers and their companies. We also believe that accident victims need to have their damages made whole.

Carabin Shaw has a long record of getting recoveries for those who choose to hire us after they are injured in a truck accident. This record includes numerous multi-million dollar client recoveries. If your loved one, or you, have been in a truck crash, let us use our experience and our skills for you. Give us a call as soon as possible after your accident.

Truck and hauling companies usually place a higher priority on speed than safety. This misguided priority exposes helpless drivers and passengers on the highway to an increased risk of being the victim of a heavy truck accident.

Heavy truck stats indicate that 18 wheelers and other heavy trucks account for 4% of all traffic injuries and 12% of all traffic deaths. These alarming statistics also clearly indicate who generally gets the bulk of the impact in such truck collisions: 86% of the deaths and 77% of the injuries are the drivers and/or occupants of non-commercial small vehicles.

Are you in Corpus Christi? Have you been in an accident with an 18 wheeler or other big rig?

Give Carabin Shaw a call. We can help. Call us at 361.444.1111, local if you’re in Corpus Christi.