The National Transportation Safety Board recently recommended that all states including Pennsylvania should ban commercial truckers and drivers from texting or using their phone while behind the wheel in order to prevent and reduce car and truck accidents. News of the results of an investigation that reviewed the facts of a fatal car accident caused by a truck driver bolstered the agency's suggestion.

The referenced crash occurred on Interstate 65 outside of Munfordville, Kentucky on the morning of March 26, 2010. A commercial semi driver was traveling down the Interstate when he crossed the median of the highway and slammed into a van going the opposite direction. The occupants of the van were a family of 12 Mennonites who were traveling to a wedding in Iowa. Tragically, ten family members died from the crash. The truck driver was also killed from the accident.

Investigators recently concluded that the truck driver's cell phone use contributed to the cause of the fatal accident. Seconds before the crash occurred, the truck driver placed an out-going phone call. The use of the phone distracted the truck driver. He panicked, applied his brakes but was not able to steer his rig away from the median. The 38-ton truck traveling at least 65 miles per hour broke through the wired median.

Test for alcohol and drug use came back negative, but driver fatigue may have also contributed to the crash. The commercial truck driver had already driven for 13 hours before the crash.

The National Traffic Safety Board does not have the power to pass cell phone bans, but sends traffic safety recommendations to Pennsylvania and the other 49 states.

Source: The Associated Press, "Ban recommended on trucker cell use and texting," Brett Barrouquere, Sept. 13, 2011