Truck Drivers and Mobile Devices

Texting or talking on a cell phone is dangerous for all drivers.  Research shows that texting while driving makes it over 23 times more likely that a driver will deviate from their lane, be in a near-accident, or cause an actual accident.  Because large commercial trucks have the tendency to cause much more severe accidents than regular passenger cars, truck drivers who text are even more dangerous.  For this reason, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) strictly regulates use of handheld mobile devices among truck drivers.  If you have been injured in an accident caused by a truck driver violating cell phone regulations, you should contact a Clayton County Truck Accident Lawyer as soon as possible to start working on your case.

Many states ban motorists from texting while driving.  However, the FMCSA completely bans truck drivers from texting while driving across the entire United States.  “Texting” refers to reading text from a mobile device or entering alphanumeric text into a mobile device.  This includes sending short messages, emails, instant messages, typing in web addresses, or pressing more than a single button on a mobile device to make a telephone call.

Furthermore, truck drivers are banned from reaching for or holding a handheld mobile device while they are using voice functions.  They also cannot press more than a single button (i.e. speed dial) to make an outgoing call or to answer an incoming call.  Truck drivers can, however, use mobile phones with headset or speaker functions, as well as use voice-activated programs to place outgoing calls.

If a truck driver is caught violating regulations regarding mobile devices, he may face fines up to $2,750 and possible disqualification of his commercial driver’s license if caught multiple times.  Furthermore, if a truck driver causes an accident, he should be held liable for all of the damage and injuries he caused.  Victims of truck accident should always consult with a truck accident attorney at Shane Smith Law for help.  Call (980) 246-2656 today.

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