The National Transportation Safety Board made an interesting recommendation after a hearing earlier this week. At the hearing, the board had determined that a 2010 fatal accident was caused by a trucker making a call on his cell phone. The driver crossed the median and slammed into another vehicle. Eleven people were killed.

Charleston has had its share of truck accidents, especially on Interstate 26 just north of the city. Locally, the board's recommendation will likely be welcome.

News media report that trucking companies have already instituted such bans. One company, with a fleet of 43 lumber trucks that travel across the South, has adopted a policy prohibiting drivers from talking on their cells or texting while driving.

One of the company's managers explains it this way: "Any kind of distraction when you're pulling 80 thousand pounds down the road ... you just don't need that."

The company has found safer ways than cell phones to keep track of their drivers. Each truck is equipped with a GPS unit, and each truck has a message board. If someone needs to talk to the driver, the company will send a message, telling the driver to pull over at the next safe opportunity, then call the office.

From the beginning, the drivers agreed with the new policy. Drivers from other companies may not be so keen, though. Some may argue that Blue Tooth devices and other hands-free technology would be safe.

The NTSB itself has no authority to impose the ban, nor can the board enforce a ban. The board's recommendation will be passed to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state legislatures for further action.

Source: CarolinaLive.com, "Possible cell phone ban for truckers," Joel Allen, Sept. 14, 2011