A new federal law has placed a ban on texting while driving for drivers of commercial trucks and buses. The new law is designed to curb bus accidents and truck accidents caused by distracted driving.
The law will go into effect immediately, levying fines as large as $2,750 on drivers who fail to comply. Truck and bus drivers may also face both criminal and civil penalties if caught texting while driving.
There has been an increasing body of evidence indicating that texting while driving poses a serious danger to other drivers on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has presented research indicating that drivers do not focus on the road for roughly 4.6 out of every 6 seconds they are texting. Furthermore, texting while driving results in a 20 times greater likelihood of getting involved in a truck or auto accident.
Over the past year, the federal government has ramped up their efforts to curb distracted driving. President Obama recently approved an executive order prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving government-owned vehicles, and 19 states have enacted laws making it illegal to text while driving.
It is important to consult an experienced truck accident attorney if you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted truck driver. These claims are very complex, and your lawyer will need a solid understanding of both federal and state trucking regulations in order to help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
If you have a truck accident claim in the Denver, Colorado area, please contact the law offices of Burg, Simpson, Eldredge, Hersh & Jardine, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation.
