A ban on text messaging, while at the wheel, was proposed for interstate truck and bus drivers. This is a follow up call on measures that will reduce crashes that, in many cases, have serious consequences – including fatalities.

The proposal would make permanent the current interim ban that had been announced in January, by the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, which applies to all drivers of commercial trucks and buses weighing over 10,000 pounds. A driver caught violating this ban would face possible civil and criminal penalties.

Safety advocates, as well as the government, have pushed for greater restrictions as cell phones, mobile electronics and vehicle navigation systems have become more commonplace in cars and trucks. Reports from the Transportation Dept. indicate that 5,870 were killed along with 515,000 injured in 2008 as a result of driver distraction, which, in many cases, involved the use of cell phones and other mobile devices.

A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has shown that a driver who sends and receives a text message will take their eyes off the road an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds, while texting. If the speed of the vehicle is 55 per hour, it translates into the vehicle travelling the length of a football field without the driver looking at the road. This can easily result in a catastrophic auto accident.

MVAs such as these frequently occur in our local cities such as Frisco, Plano and McKinney, TX. If you’ve suffered an injury or property damage in the DFW metroplex or Dallas TX area as the result of a car accident, you should consult with an experienced local personal Dallas injury lawyer.

Our personal injury law firm will offer an initial free legal consultation regarding your potential personal injury case. If you, or someone you know, has been injured you should contact a Dallas, Texas personal injury lawyer, without delay, to know your legal rights regarding compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. Call Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Kristopher Barber at (972) 231-5800 for more information or you click here to contact him by email.