Statement from Texas Motor Transportation Association President on Texting Ban
for Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers
January 26, 2010

Texas Motor Transportation Association President and CEO John D. Esparza released a statement following the Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s announcement regarding the ban on texting by commercial motor vehicle drivers.

“The trucking industry is the safest it has ever been on the roads today and that is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the drivers we have moving Texas’ freight,” said Esparza.

According to figures released by the Federal Highway Administration last week, the truck-involved fatality rate in 2008 declined 12.3 percent from 2007. Most impressive is the substantial decline by 66 percent since 1975 when the U.S. Department of Transportation began keeping those records.

“The U.S. DOT and FMCSA have taken further measures to ensure that our industry remains safe and eliminate the threat of texting while driving with the federal ban for motor carriers,” Esparza commented. “This will enhance the policies that many transportation companies already have in place and support the safety movement that we see across the nation for all drivers.”

Nineteen states, along with the District of Columbia, have banned texting for all drivers, not just commercial motor vehicles. This is in addition to the President’s executive order directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging while driving government-owned vehicles or with government-owned equipment starting December 30, 2009.

“We know that this will be an important issue for all Texans and we look forward to working with the Texas Legislature to ensure safety on our roadways,” said Esparza.

TMTA will continue to discourage texting while behind the wheel in regards to all drivers and educate Texans on increased safety measures for our roadways.