Truckers can see stiff fines if caught texting while driving

The Department of Transportation recently enacted measures to improve truck driving safety by banning commercial drivers from using mobile devices while driving.

"Drivers using their phones to send text messages or check their Facebook accounts are clearly distracted and just as dangerous as people driving drunk," said Nathan Williams, a truck accident attorney in Brunswick, Georgia. "A distracted truck driver is a significant road hazard. This new rule is an important safety measure."

Drivers caught using their smartphones or tablets can face finds just shy of $3,000 per offense, with multiple offenses concluding in a suspended license and trucking companies being charged up to $11,000.

Distracted driving has become a large problem in the trucking industry, with approximately 500,000 people being injured as a result of distracted driving incidents every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Research conducted by the NHTSA found that in 2010, 3,675 Americans were killed due to accidents with large trucks. These recent regulations placed on truckers are working to make the highways safer.

Truckers can see stiff fines if caught texting while driving

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012