New law prohibits texting and driving

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Jerry Machado does not need a law to tell him that texting while driving an 18-wheeler is a bad idea.

"We could cause more problems on the road," said the veteran truck driver. "We're larger and we could hurt somebody."

But, Machado said he also realizes not everybody thinks that way. He is, therefore, embracing a new mandate that truckers and bus drivers put their phones down while behind the wheel.

The new law comes with a stiff penalty for a violation: Up to $2,750.

"Distracted driving laws must depend in part on drivers using their own good judgement and common sense," said Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood. "We also know that penalties act as a deterrent."

Studies have shows that a driver spends four out of six seconds with their eyes off the road if they are sending a text message. That means they could drive the length of a football field at 55 mph without ever seeing where they are going.

"It's dangerous," said truck driver Randall Altel. "It will get people killed."

While the truckers agree with the law, they believe it needs to be expanded to anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle.

"On many occasions I've had people cross out in front of me and many of them are unawares because they have the cell phone," said Machado. "And, I think that's a leading cause of many accidents."

Drivers who text are 20 times more likely to get into an accident than those who do not.