Illegal In Virginia (And Every Other State): Truckers Texting On Cell Phones

Virginia State Police have confiscated the cell phone of a milk truck operator after a fatal big rig accident on Interstate 81 left one student driver dead and others seriously injured. The warrant for the mobile device suggests that authorities suspect that the trucker may have been using his mobile device to text or browse the internet in the moments before colliding with the sedan.

While a bill that would have made talking on the cell phone illegal in Virginia failed this year, texting while driving, reading emails while driving, and browsing the internet while driving are illegal for all drivers across the state. In addition, a federal law bans commercial truck drivers from using mobile devices to text or web surf while behind the wheel. This law went into effect in 2010 after a Virginia Tech study revealed that truck drivers were significantly more likely to cause accidents while texting and driving. Today, truckers who text while driving can face thousands of dollars in fines, up to $2,750, as well as possible civil and criminal charges.

Why is texting so dangerous for commercial drivers? Texting takes a driver’s eyes off of the road, a driver’s mind off of what they are doing, and one hand off of the wheel. Any one of these three distractions is dangerous, and all three can lead to accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Especially for truckers, who drive heavier vehicles with larger blind spots, texting truckers poise a threat to everyone on the road.

Traffic safety experts believe that over 6,000 people died as a result of distracted driving, such as text messaging, each year.

Have you been injured in a Virginia truck accident that may have involved distracted driving or texting while driving? Speak with a Virginia Beach tractor-trailer accident attorney today and make certain your crash is properly investigated.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling truck wreck cases. Check out our truck accident case results and our free consumer guide on what to do if you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck.

We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Newport News, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Jim and Rick have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers receive this honor.

In addition, our VA injury law firm was the first in the commonwealth to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms, and we have the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization. The rating indicates we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

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