On Jan. 26, 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a nationwide ban that prohibits texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large truck and buses.

“We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is an important safety step and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.”

USRider, the national provider of roadside emergency assistance for equestrians, applauds the ban.

“Driving is an activity that demands close attention. At USRider, while we think no one should text while driving, we urge horse owners to voluntarily comply with this ban while transporting horses,” said Mark Cole, managing member for USRider.

The combined weight of a loaded horse trailer and tow vehicle can approach that of commercial vehicles, and they should be treated as such. With the increased weight, they have a much longer stopping distance than passenger cars and light trucks.

Evidence shows that even hands-free devices do not reduce the risk of an accident. The underlying problem is that the brain is distracted.

“From our trailer accident study, we found that distracted driving was one of the primary reasons for trailer incidents,” Cole added.

Such accidents are easily preventable.

“The solution is very simple and low-tech – keep your mind and your eyes on the road, and pull over if you need to text or make a call,” said Cole.

Driving while using a cell phone can pose a serious distraction and impair driver performance. Research by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that drivers who send and receive text messages take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds while texting. At 55 miles per hour, this means that the driver is traveling the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road. Drivers who text while driving are more than 20 times more likely to get in an accident than non-distracted drivers.

“Trailering horses is no different than any other aspect of being a good steward toward your animals. It is a huge responsibility and should be taken very seriously,” said Cole.

The national ban is the result of the Department’s interpretation of standing rules. Truck and bus drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.

Because of the safety risks associated with texting, 19 states, the District of Columbia and Guam already prohibit drivers from texting behind the wheel, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Another 10 states restrict texting by novice drivers.

“In addition to the possibility of causing injury or death to their horse, horse owners who text while driving pose a risk to other motorists,” added Cole.

Through its Equestrian Motor Plan, USRider provides emergency road service to its Members in the lower 48 states as well as Alaska and Canada. Designed for those who travel with horses, USRider provides emergency roadside assistance and towing services, along with other travel-related benefits geared especially toward horse owners, such as towing up to 100 miles plus roadside repairs for tow vehicles and trailers with horses, emergency stabling and veterinary referrals.

For more information about USRider and more equine trailer safety tips, visit the USRider website at http://www.usrider.org or call (800) 844-1409.