The US Department of Transportation ruled that commercial truck drivers may no longer use cell phones or handheld devices of any kind, according to sources. Violators can face up to $2,750 fines for each instance, and repeat offenders risk losing their commercial vehicle licenses. Companies who fail to enforce the regulation for drivers face up to $11,000 as a maximum fine.
US DoT research shows that drivers reaching for an object—such as a phone—are 3 times more likely to cause a truck accident. When using the phone, the chances increase to 6 times as likely.
“This final rule represents a giant leap for safety,” said DoT administrator Anne Ferro. “It’s just too dangerous for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle. Lives are at stake.”
The Moore Law Firm, a personal injury law firm in Cincinnati, Ohio with a focus on truck accidents, discussed this rule when it was still under review, describing it as an "admirable attempt to help reduce unnecessary tragedies". Now that the rule is final, we can all agree that it is a step in the right direction.
Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando wrongful death attorneys.
