Distracted truck driving is one of the biggest risk factors of motor vehicle accidents on the roads. It creates a dangerous road situation that can cost many lives. Big vehicle such as trucks can cause severe damages to other vehicles and more critically their passengers. This is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has published rules to increase road safety.
However, the question is what causes distracted driving and how can it be stopped?
A truck driver may be distracted from driving due to many reasons, including the use of a cellphone. Use of phones causes one to lose focus from road. It causes the truck driver or other driver to take their eyes off the road and distracts them. This distraction can lead to dangerous and severe accidents.
The FMCSA has published rules specifically for the truck and bus drivers to decrease the number of road accidents due to unfocused driving. These rules include –
Penalty – The penalty for distracted driving includes fines and disqualification of driving privileges. For texting, drivers can be fined up to $2,750 and employers can get a fine up to $11,000. Employers will be fined only if they allow truck drivers to use mobile phones on duty. Texting can also lead to the FMCSA disqualification of driver. The time of disqualification depends on the level of law violated. For several violations, this period can go up to 120 days. Violation of law also affects Safety Measurement System (SMS) results.
Every year, distracted driving causes many accidents and claims many lives. Every truck accident law firm handles cases that could have been avoided if the driver was more attentive to the road. It is important for everyone to follow road safety rules and regulations to avoid accident and serious physical, economical and emotional damages.
However, the question is what causes distracted driving and how can it be stopped?
A truck driver may be distracted from driving due to many reasons, including the use of a cellphone. Use of phones causes one to lose focus from road. It causes the truck driver or other driver to take their eyes off the road and distracts them. This distraction can lead to dangerous and severe accidents.
The FMCSA has published rules specifically for the truck and bus drivers to decrease the number of road accidents due to unfocused driving. These rules include –
- Truck Drivers are not allowed to read/send texts on duty. Texting is defined by reading and typing messages from cellular phones. It includes all types of message services such as e-mails, short messages (SMS), instant messaging and any other type of electronic text.
- Typing on a phone to open a web page or clicking more than one button to make or end calls also falls under this rule.
- These rules apply on the hand held phones. Hands free cellular phones do not fall under this law. Drivers are not restricted from using hands free communication devices to speak, but it should be located in their close range.
- According to the law, drivers can use an earpiece to receive calls. They can also use speaker phone and voice-activated dialing to avoid typing numbers on cell.
Penalty – The penalty for distracted driving includes fines and disqualification of driving privileges. For texting, drivers can be fined up to $2,750 and employers can get a fine up to $11,000. Employers will be fined only if they allow truck drivers to use mobile phones on duty. Texting can also lead to the FMCSA disqualification of driver. The time of disqualification depends on the level of law violated. For several violations, this period can go up to 120 days. Violation of law also affects Safety Measurement System (SMS) results.
Every year, distracted driving causes many accidents and claims many lives. Every truck accident law firm handles cases that could have been avoided if the driver was more attentive to the road. It is important for everyone to follow road safety rules and regulations to avoid accident and serious physical, economical and emotional damages.