Iowa trucking companies ahead of the curve in trucking safety

While the U.S. Department of Transportation recently enacted legislation that bans interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held mobile telephones, a number of trucking firms in Iowa already had restrictions on cellphone use due to the trucking safety hazard they pose, reported the Des Moines Register.

"Distraction with cellphones is a major issue, and it’s not just the trucking industry," John Briley, vice president for safety at Jacobson Transportation, told the Register. "It’s been a policy of ours for several years that our drivers are not allowed to use cellphones while moving."

The recent restrictions from the DOT will only give drivers a warning if they are caught driving and using a cellphone in 2012, but in 2013, drivers may encounter a steep fine, reported the paper.

Iowa trucking companies have been engaged in a long-standing effort to improve trucking safety in the state, aiming to keep truck drivers off of cellphones completely.

The newspaper said the American Trucking Associations believes there should be a nationwide ban on hand-held device use and texting while driving, because it can affect all drivers.

While Iowa trucking companies are focused on safety, one Iowa-based company reports it is also experiencing extreme success, according to the Missoulian, a news source based in Montana.

The news source said Decker Trucker Line recently outgrew its Montana business location and is moving to a larger space.

Iowa trucking companies ahead of the curve in trucking safety

Friday, January 13th, 2012