KANSAS CITY, MO -
Studies show that texting while behind the wheel is as dangerous as drunk driving. But while officials are meeting in Washington to discuss a possible law that would ban texting while driving, some professional drivers say they don't support the proposed law because it could seriously affect their ability to do business.
Truck drivers say that they are used to seeing a lot of distracted drivers.
"Everything from eating to applying make up, to I saw one lady, no kidding, reading a book going down the road at 70 miles an hour," said trucker Dale Wiederholt of Wiederholt Trucking.
But several trucking associations in the U.S. have concerns about a federal texting ban because many truckers need to use an on-board computer system to communicate with their companies.
"Some company drivers are required to have those in their trucks," said Norita Taylor of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). "It's how those companies manage their fleets."
A study at Virginia Tech University found that truckers driving while using the computers were 10 times more likely to have an accident. Often times, the devices are disabled for use while driving, but not all of the devices are turned off.
"A lot of those devices say don't use while driving, but you're dealing with human nature," said Wiederholt.
OOIDA officials say that no matter how many laws are passed, truckers need better training, which is something that not all states require.
Wiederholt says that driving should be a full-time job for anyone who is behind the wheel, be it a car or truck.
"You can't be distracted," said Wiederholt. "There's too many other people involved."
Truck drivers say that they are used to seeing a lot of distracted drivers.
"Everything from eating to applying make up, to I saw one lady, no kidding, reading a book going down the road at 70 miles an hour," said trucker Dale Wiederholt of Wiederholt Trucking.
But several trucking associations in the U.S. have concerns about a federal texting ban because many truckers need to use an on-board computer system to communicate with their companies.
"Some company drivers are required to have those in their trucks," said Norita Taylor of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). "It's how those companies manage their fleets."
A study at Virginia Tech University found that truckers driving while using the computers were 10 times more likely to have an accident. Often times, the devices are disabled for use while driving, but not all of the devices are turned off.
"A lot of those devices say don't use while driving, but you're dealing with human nature," said Wiederholt.
OOIDA officials say that no matter how many laws are passed, truckers need better training, which is something that not all states require.
Wiederholt says that driving should be a full-time job for anyone who is behind the wheel, be it a car or truck.
"You can't be distracted," said Wiederholt. "There's too many other people involved."
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