Texting Ban for Truck and Bus Drivers | Washington Mass Transit Accident Lawyer

Truck and Bus Drivers are now prohibited to text while driving, as announced by The Transportation Department Tuesday.

The ban of texting while driving, which is effective immediately, will apply to drivers of interstate buses and trucks over 10,000 pounds. The Department of Transportation stated that those drivers who are caught in violation of this new ban may be subject to penalties, either civil or criminal of up to $2,750.

The District of Columbia and nineteen other states, including Washington, have already prohibited texting while driving.

Trucking and bus officials say that they are in support of the ban. The President of the American Bus Association, Pete Pantuso, said that many of their members already have policies against texting while driving and that it is just "smart and safe" to do so. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has data that those who text while driving have their eyes off of the road about 4.6 seconds for every 6 seconds they spend texting meaning if that person is driving 55 miles per hour, they are potentially driving a little more than the length of a football field without looking at the road.

Texting while driving is a negligent act and can cause serious accidents and injury to others. If you have been injured as a result of a negligent driver texting at the wheel, it would be beneficial to speak with a trustworthy Washington State Auto Accident Lawyer.