It’s scary to think about drivers of dozen-ton vehicles taking their eyes off the road to send out a text message from behind the wheel, which is why the US is making it illegal throughout the US. The federal government has officially banned American truckers and bus drivers from texting while driving. US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that the new law takes effect immediately. So, you can drive with a little more peace of mind, starting today.
The new law is aimed at persuading fleets of the scariest vehicles on the road to drive safer. Drivers that break the new law (and get caught) will face fines of up to $2,750 for each offense. The fine is significantly greater than that levied against small vehicle motorists in states where texting and driving is prohibited. It makes sense, though, because bigger vehicles pose a greater danger to other drivers. With some 200,000 accidents a year estimated to be caused by texting, it’s sobering to think how many of those could be big-rig trucks and buses.
Do you feel safer knowing that truck and bus drivers have been banned from texting? A lot of motorists are simply ignoring their state’s texting and driving laws anyway.
[Via: Reuters]