On January 26, 2010, U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced new federal policy to expressly prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The rule goes into effect immediately and is the latest action taken by the Department to restrict distracted driving which can cause serious automobile and trucking accidents. The new regulation follows a series of actions taken by the Department to fight distracted driving since the national summit on the issue last September. “We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe,” said Secretary LaHood. “This is an important safety step and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.”
The new enforcement policy is the result of the Department’s interpretation of standing rules. Commercial truck and bus drivers who text while driving may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750. Texting while driving can be just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than driving under the influence. If a driver takes their eyes off the road for just a few seconds, bad things can happen. If you’d like more information on steps taken by the Department to combat distracted driving, visit www.distraction.gov.
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