The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration makes it very clear that truck drivers should typically not use mobile phones behind the wheel. They are not allowed to use handheld devices. In some cases, they can use simple hands-free systems so that they can still communicate without having to hold a phone in their hand.
The goal of these types of regulations is to reduce truck driver distraction. A driver who is looking down at the screen of their cellphone while driving an 80,000-pound vehicle could be very hazardous to those around them if they drift over the center line, run a stop sign or make other critical errors. In order to be safe, drivers always need to be focused on the road.
Extended stopping distances
A related issue is that a semi-truck has a stopping distance of around 525 feet. This is significantly longer than the roughly 300 feet needed by a 4,000-pound passenger car.
Distraction behind the wheel can delay reaction times. A driver who is looking at their phone may not notice that traffic is slowing down ahead of them, for example. But because that truck driver needs a greater physical distance to stop than the vehicles around them, they must be aware as soon as conditions change. They need to maintain safe following distances and brake quickly when necessary to avoid causing rear-end accidents and pileup collisions.
Seeking financial compensation
Have you been injured in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver, perhaps due to cellphone-related distractions? If so, you may have a right to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.