Distracted driving is a serious problem among all drivers. Specifically, use of cell phones to talk and text while behind the wheel causes thousands of accidents and injuries across the United States every year. Distracted driving is especially dangerous for commercial truck drivers, because the resulting accidents may potentially be significantly more dangerous and destructive than regular motor vehicles. For this reason, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict regulations for truck drivers regarding the use of mobile devices while operating their trucks. If a truck driver violates one of these regulations and causes an accident, they should be held responsible for their negligent actions and should compensate victims for any resulting injuries. Such accident victims should contact a Coweta County truck accident attorney to help them recover.
According to the FMCSA regulations, commercial truck drivers are prohibited from doing the following:
- Texting, which includes reading from an electronic device or manually entering any alphanumeric text into a mobile device for any sort of messaging service, email, or requesting a website
- Reaching for or holding a mobile device
- Pressing more than one single button to initiate a voice conversation
In short, the only way a truck driver is allowed to use a cell phone is if the device is hands-free, located in close proximity to the steering wheel, and has speed-dial or other one-button dialing capabilities.
Contact a Coweta County Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
Truck drivers should all be familiar with the FMCSA guidelines on distracted driving and cell phone usage. If a truck driver violates one of these regulations, he should be held liable to pay for any injuries or other losses he causes in resulting accidents. If you have been in an accident and believe the truck driver was at fault, an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656 for assistance.