| Since text messaging was first introduced as an | | | | enforcement sometime during the third week of |
| option for cell phones, studies have been | | | | October (or 30 days from when the information |
| conducted to determine just how dangerous it | | | | was first announced on September 21, 2010). |
| was to send and read texts while driving. | | | | Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of |
| According to many of these studies, the act was | | | | fatal car accidents every year. According to the |
| actually more dangerous than operating a vehicle | | | | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| after imbibing alcohol, seriously affecting both | | | | (NHTSA), approximately 16% of fatal accidents |
| stopping distance and reaction time. | | | | stemmed from distracted drivers. Due to the |
| Taking that information into mind, the Federal | | | | prevalence of text-messaging and the proven |
| Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently | | | | dangers it has on safely operating vehicles, it is |
| announced new legislation banning truckers from | | | | considered probable that the rise in such activities |
| text-messaging while operating their vehicles, | | | | has played a part in this fatality rate. |
| setting the potential fine as high as $2,750, | | | | The passage of the law does not dramatically |
| depending on the circumstances of the violation. | | | | change the current rules surrounding the operation |
| The law is effective in all jurisdictions of the | | | | of commercial trucks. Texting while driving has |
| United States, and applies to the drivers of most | | | | been illegal in the industry since a rule change |
| commercial vehicles. | | | | earlier this year, and the new law serves strictly |
| It is currently unclear when exactly the law will go | | | | to strengthen this informal rule. |
| into effect. Due to procedures, it will come into | | | | |