Truckers Sending Text Messages – The Impact on Kentucky Truck Accidents

There has been a recent movement to ban commercial drivers from texting while driving in interstate commerce. The Truck Safety Coalition and Parents Against Tired Truckers have supported this ban.

Without question, driver distractions can lead to deadly consequences, including a fatal Louisville truck accident. In response to this immense danger, many states have enacted bans on handheld cell phone devices and even texting and driving. Kentucky legislatures are currently looking into enforcing such a ban. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has also taken action to ban cell phone texting by drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce.

Large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, acting as a potential deadly weapon when not operated properly. In 2008, 5,800 people died and 515,000 were injured in accidents caused by distracted drivers in the United States. Driver inattention is a major problem. Researchers with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have found that drivers who text take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every six seconds while texting. Truckers should avoid driver distractions and focus solely on safe driving. The steering wheel should be the only thing in their hands.

It is virtually impossible to stay focused on the road to avoid a Kentucky truck accident, when looking down to compose or read a text message. If a trucker does not keep his or her eyes on the road and mind on task, the outcome can be fatal.

When a major Kentucky truck crash is caused by the trucker or trucking company, the victims involved in the accident can pursue compensation. For more information, contact an experienced Louisville truck accident attorney at the law firm of Gray and White Law at (502) 637-6000 or (800) 637-6033.