If you had been watching news programming last summer, you probably saw a clip of a bus driver in Texas who caused an accident by paying more attention to his phone than to the road in front of him. If you didn’t catch the clip, check out the incredible video that shows it all caught on tape at: www.oneillinsurance.com/texting.html.
Texting while driving is a major distraction and risks lives. Data compiled last year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that texting drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 out of every six seconds. This means that at 55 mph a texting driver travels the length of a football field without looking at the road.
And, that’s exactly why the U.S. Department of Transportation has put in place a ban on texting for all commercial truck and bus drivers. Your company and your employees driving your commercial vehicles can be held liable for violating this ban and can be subject to stiff penalties and fines on top of any damages and injuries he/she may cause in the process.
Our best advice is to make sure that your employees are aware of the new regulations and the dangers of texting while driving. Make it known that texting won’t be tolerated while they are operating your company vehicles.
