While many states are instituting bans on mobile devices and cell phones behind the wheel, truckers are asking to keep their right to text, email, and talk while driving their trucks despite studies that say it is a major cause of truck accidents.

Blog

Truck and Bus Accidents

view all

Testimonials

  • Andrew did everything he said he would.
  • Andrew Kim and his law firm have done an outstanding job for me.
  • I'm very satisfied this time and every time prior.
  • I really appreciate Andrew's realistic view on things.
  • Thank you Andrew for working so hard on my case. You are a great lawyer and a great person.

more

News

view all

Library

Truck and Bus Accidents

view all

Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC | Washington Legal News

Despite The Dangers, Truckers Want Exemption To Future Texting Laws


Posted on Oct 09, 2009

The Seattle Post Intelligencer reports that truckers may want exemption from any future federal legislation banning texting, emailing, mobile phone use, or computer use while driving.

The truckers argue that they use work computers in order to stay updated on traffic, routes, new orders, and work-related information. The on-board computers also keep them in contact with their dispatchers while on the road. They also argue that unlike smaller mobile devices like Blackberries or iPods, large computer screens are not as dangerous or distracting.

However, recent studies have found that any driver distraction exponentially increases the chance of truck accidents. A study released earlier this year found that truckers using texting features on mobile phones were 28 times more likely to cause a truck accident while truckers using on-board computers were ten times more likely to cause a truck accident. The dangers of distracted driving may be even more serious for truckers, who drive much larger, heavier vehicles that are more likely to seriously injure or kill those they hit.

Although the American Trucking Associations spokesperson has called the bill overkill, Washington lawmakers still want to discuss the issue further at the national distracted driving summit being held this week. Many speaking at the summit will argue that new technology of all kinds are increasing the number of truck accidents and truck accident injuries.

Truckers say they often feel pressure to use their computers while driving because deadlines in the trucking industry are so tight. Using the computers takes the truckers' eyes of the road for an average of four seconds at a time.

Read More About Despite The Dangers, Truckers Want Exemption To Future Texting Laws...

back to top


Name *

Phone *

Email *

Tell us more *


Bellevue
10655 NE 4th Street
Suite 208
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 289-1990
Fax: (425) 289-1991
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676
Get Directions

Tacoma
3848 S. Junett
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 682-2000
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676
Get Directions

Offices

Bellevue
10655 NE 4th Street
Suite 208
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 289-1990
Fax: (425) 289-1991
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

Tacoma
3848 S. Junett
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 682-2000
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

FAQs

Truck and Bus Accidents

view all

Web Resources

View All

©2012 Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC, All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission Privacy Policy
Attorney web design by Foster Web Marketing, the best attorney website design solution on the Web offering search engine optimization for attorneys, lawyer website design, video for attorneys, and more.
Get SEO Tips from The Attorney Internet Marketing Blog