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Commercial trucking is the backbone of our economy. Many companies are relying on big-rig truck drivers to transport goods across the country in a safe manner. Most truck drivers are very aware of safety issues, but when drivers are distracted while driving, they may be involved in collisions. 

According to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 202 large trucks involved in fatal distracted-driving crashes in just one year, and 22 of the drivers involved in the crashes were using a cellphone at the time the accident occurred. 

“The importance of this issue was witnessed by an associate of ours. She and her husband were driving in the passing lane on I-75 in Florida. A big-rig truck was in the middle lane traveling very close to the vehicle in front of it. When her husband looked at the truck driver, he saw the truck driver looking down at his cell phone. Although an accident did not occur, the inattention of the truck driver was worrisome,” said Fort Myers Truck Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. 

Distracted driving for truck drivers is a particularly significant concern given that large trucks tend to be involved in very serious crashes. A study of the causes of large truck crashes emphasizes that tractor-trailers weigh much more than the average automobile. This means that when a collision with a smaller passenger vehicle occurs, passenger vehicle occupants are more likely to be killed. 

Studies show the odds of crashes increase if a truck driver is distracted. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) conducted research which indicated that both reaching for, and dialing, a mobile phone increase the odds of the truck driver's involvement in a safety-critical event, such as a crash, near-crash, or unintended lane departure. 

• The odds of being involved in a safety-critical event are three times greater when the driver is reaching for an object than when the driver is not reaching for an object. 

• The odds of being involved in a safety-critical event are six times greater while the driver is dialing a cell phone than when the driver is not dialing a cell phone.  

SmartDrive Systems conducted an analysis of in-cab video and observation gathered over 14.5 billion driving miles, which showed that: 

• The most distracted drivers are 36 percent more likely to be involved in a near-collision than all other drivers. This number jumps dramatically to 88 percent for drivers most distracted by a mobile device. 

• The most distracted drivers are 84 percent more likely than other drivers to roll through a stop sign or red light, and those most distracted by a mobile device are 2.5 times more likely to not stop, increasing the risk and severity of collisions. 

• Overall, the most distracted drivers are 87 percent more likely to drive 10 mph or more over the speed limit, but if they are distracted by a mobile device, they are nearly three times more likely than all other drivers to drive 10 mph or more over the speed limit. 

• The most distracted drivers drift out of their lane almost two times more frequently than all other drivers. This number jumps to 2.3 times more than all other drivers for those most distracted by a mobile device. 

What regulations have been put in place to curb distracted driving by truck drivers? 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has imposed strict regulations regarding the operation of trucks and other commercial vehicles. Texting or using handheld devices as a commercial carrier (truck driver) is strictly prohibited.  

The rule imposes sanctions for driver offenses, including civil penalties up to $2,750 and driver disqualification for multiple offenses. Motor carriers are also prohibited from requiring, or allowing, their drivers to text or use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, and may be subject to civil penalties up to $11,000. Texting and calling on a hand-held phone carry the maximum violation severity weighting. 

“If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a truck, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at our firm to determine your rights,” said Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers Truck Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.