The sheer size of buses and semi trucks make them inherently dangerous to all passenger vehicles on the Illinois roadways. Recent steps have been taken to increase safety and reduce the number of Illinois truck accidents. A Federal rule change has been proposed to limit driver distraction by banning the use of hand-held cellphones by commercial drivers.
Why Is Distracted Driving so Dangerous?
Distracted driving is defined by the federal government as "any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving." Reaching for or dialing a cellphone, sending a text message, or even holding a phone to use the push to talk functionality while behind the wheel are all forms of distracted driving.
There are three main types of distraction: manual (taking a hand off the steering wheel), visual (taking eyes off the road) and cognitive (taking attention off the task of driving). Using a cellphone, especially to send or receive a text message, can involve all three types of distraction, making cellphones one of the most dangerous distractions for drivers.
According to information from Monash University, drivers are four times more likely to be involved in crashes when using a hand-held device, such as a cellphone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, in 2009, 20 percent of injury accidents and 16 percent of fatal accidents involved a distracted driver.
Proposed Rule Banning Hand-Held Cellphones
In November 2011, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a proposed final rule banning commercial drivers from using hand-held cellphones while driving. The rule, which is a collaborative effort of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), builds off texting bans implemented by both agencies in 2010 and early 2011, respectively.
The proposed rule would ban commercial drivers from using a hand-held cellphone to talk while driving. Commercial drivers would still be free to use hands-free technology and a hand-held phone when the truck is not in operation. An exception also exists for alerting authorities of emergency situations.
Announcing the final rule, Secretary LaHood stated, "When drivers of large trucks, buses and hazardous materials take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds, the outcome can be deadly."
When commercial drivers use hand-held cellphones, research from FMCSA shows, "several risky steps" need to be taken by the drivers that are not needed with hands-free technology. The research indicates that commercial drivers are three times more likely to be involved in an accident or other "safety-critical event" when they are reaching for an object in the cab. This includes reaching for a cellphone. Further, commercial drivers are six times more likely to be involved in an accident or other safety-critical event when dialing on a hand-held cellphone. This research led to the proposed safety rule.
Bill Graves, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), was quoted in Truck News expressing the ATA's support for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's and the Department of Transportation's efforts to limit distracted driving. In regards to the proposed ban on commercial driver use of hand-held cellphones Mr. Graves said , "studies have shown that actions like texting and dialing a phone can greatly increase crash risk, so taking steps to curb these behaviors hold great promise to improve highway safety."
Commercial drivers would be fined up to $2,750 each time they are found to be in violation of the proposed rule. Multiple violations could result in disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle. Similarly after two or more serious traffic violations, states can currently suspend drivers' commercial drivers' licenses (CDL).
Under the proposed rule it is not just drivers that face penalties. Commercial truck and bus companies would also be fined a maximum of $11,000 for allowing their drivers to use hand-held cellphones while behind the wheel.
Whether a commercial driver is distracted or not, an accident involving a semi truck or bus can have disastrous consequences. If you have been involved in an accident with a semi truck, speak with an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney to learn your legal rights.
