Why Cell Phone Use By Truckers is a Bad Idea
Unfortunately, it is often only in the case of catastrophe that our government and other organizations can be persuaded to make common sense changes that improve the safety and well-being of the public at large.
Such is the case with banning cell phone use of any kind by semi-truck drivers who are behind the wheel of a rig and motoring down America's roadways. Last year, in a reported accident that can be characterized as nothing less than horrific, a 45 year old semi-truck driver lost control of his rig in the pre-dawn hours of a perfect morning, crossed the median and struck a van carrying 12 people - killing himself and nine passengers in the van.
Reports indicate that records show that he had dialed a number just as the vehicle went awry - and had made a combination of 69 phone calls and text messages in the 24 hours prior to the accident. All other causes than distracted driving have been ruled out.
So, now the NTSB is calling for a complete ban on the use of cell phone devices by semi-truck drivers who are driving. That is both hand-held and hands-free devices. No phones, period. No phone calls, period. Keep your eyes on the road and your focus on awesome responsibility of safely moving an 80 plus ton vehicle from point A to point B.
Although the NTSB does not enact legislation - their recommendations carry weight.
So do yours. Contact your state and federal legislators and tell them you do not want distracted semi-truck drivers on the road.
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