06/03/10

Texting ban while driving in States

Release to: Coach Journals
Date: March 2010
Title: Federal Ban when driving in US

Last month, Ray LaHood, U.S Transportation Secretary announced federal guidance to expressly prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. With immedate effect this is the latest in a line of actions taking place to reduce distractions while driving. LaHood stated, “we want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe”.Get caught and the penalties are high, up to $2,750. “Our regulations will prevent unsafe activity within the cab,” said Anne Ferro, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

FMCSA research shows that drivers who send and receive text messages take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds while texting. At 89 kilometers per hour, this means that the driver is travelling the length of a football field without
looking at the road. It’s believed that drivers who text while driving are more likely to have an accident than non distracted drivers.

President Obama also signed an Executive Order directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging while driving government owned vehicles or with government-owned equipment. This came into force December 30, 2009.