Understanding the Dangers of Distracted Driving


The average tractor-trailer weighs about 80,000 pounds, more than 20 times the weight of the average automobile. The tractor trailer will take nearly 550 feet to make an emergency stop. The average car or small truck takes about 315 feet to stop. Federal traffic officials say nearly 95 percent of traffic crashes stem from distracted driving.

What do all these numbers mean? Simply, distracted driving poses a serious danger to life, limb and property.

However, experts say taking some simple precautions to avoid both distracted truck driving and distracted driving in cars can prevent most crashes, like putting away your phone.

FMCSA Establishes Traffic Regulations for Trucks

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration bars CMV drivers from both reaching for mobile devices or using them during driving. Drivers are also prohibited from pressing more than one button on mobile devices while driving. However, they may use hands-free devices to communicate provided they don’t press more than one button to talk. Use of voice-activated devices is permitted.
Fines for using hand-held phones while driving can reach $2,250 per incident and increase for repeat offenses.

Analyses by federal authorities found that risks of crashes rose more than 23 times when drivers used mobile devices for texting while driving. Even talking or listening to hands-free devices increased the crash risk 40 percent, according to a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study.

Governments in 39 states and the District of Columbia ban text messaging by all drivers. The study also stated that teen drivers are four times more likely to crash while driving distracted than adults.

Tips for Staying Safe

American Trucking Associations offer five tips to help avoid distracted driving crashes:
  1. Keep your phone out of sight and even forget you have it
  2. Don’t text while driving
  3. Prepare yourself to drive before driving
  4. Make sure everything is properly secured in your commercial van or truck before driving
  5. Set a good example for others by talking about the importance of safety, especially with younger, less experienced drivers

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