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Truckers Oppose Banning of Communication Devices

September 28, 2009

The trucking industry opposes a bill that will prohibit truckers from using communication devices such as mobile phones, CB radio, and laptop computers, the American Trucking Association said in a statement released recently.

Association spokesman Clayton Boyce said the proposed legislation should exempt truck drivers from texting while driving, adding that banning communication devices will not improve safety.

Boyce said they do not condone texting behind the wheel, but said the federal bill is “an overkill” as it also prohibits truckers from communicating with their dispatchers and from using computers equipped with GPS and navigation technology.

“Truckers will not read the screen every second. And besides, the computers they [truckers] are using require less concentration than phones”, Boyce added.

Boyce also said that communication devices are very important for truckers as these can send traffic alerts and warnings, new orders, and important messages from their dispatchers.

The US Department of Transportation, traffic experts, and safety groups are discussing the passage of the proposed bill and its impact to the US highways and roads.

According to a study conducted by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 25 percent of traffic accidents in 2008 were caused by “distracted drivers” who were using communication devices such as phones and laptops at the time of the accident.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted a study which found that truckers who are using on-board computers are 10 times more likely to crash compared to drivers who are not using such devices.

According to the findings, truckers look at the on-board screen for an average of four seconds, enough time to cover the length of a football field at 65 mph, which is the speed limit in most US highways.

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