In recent years, thousands of car and truck accidents across the U.S. and in states like Ohio have been caused by distracted drivers. The proliferation of mobile devices and cellphones have resulted in drivers engaging in dangerous and distracting behaviors such as texting while driving, reading and sending emails and even surfing the Internet.

As of Jan. 1, a ban on the use of hand-held mobile devices went into effect for drivers of commercial vehicles. Drivers found in violation of the ban are subject to fines in excess of $2,500 and employers with employees found in violation of the ban can be fined up to $11,000 per driver.

There is no doubt that the use of cellphones and mobile devices while driving is distracting and greatly reduces an individual driver's ability to focus and concentrate on driving. While many praise the passage of such a ban for drivers of commercial vehicles, some are skeptical regarding enforcement efforts.

Several technology companies have or are in the process of developing devices that will effectively deactivate a commercial vehicle driver's cellphone or mobile device while their truck is in motion. One such device is able to communicate with a truck's computer system to determine when a commercial vehicle is in motion. Once motion is detected, the device is able to effectively block cellphone use.

In most cases, the use of cellphones for hands-free calling would still be allowed and all devices would still enable a driver to call 911 regardless of whether they were driving or not. Safety advocates are hopeful that the new ban will help reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents in which commercial vehicles are involved.

Source: Fleet Owner, "Seeking technological cures for distracted driving," Sean Kilcarr, Feb. 11, 2013