The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been advocating a ban on the use of mobile phones by commercial vehicle operators, and this ban would include even hands-free versions of the devices. This dramatic recommendation is the latest escalation in what has become a war by the federal government against road accidents due to distracted driving.

According to the NTSB, distracted driving in the US is a growing problem which puts all drivers at increased risk. The targeting of commercial truck drivers has to do with the increased danger of collisions with their massive vehicles, which can weigh up to 40 tons and travel at standard highway speeds. The board cited a recent example of a fatality due to distracted driving in Kentucky, where a truck driver talking on his mobile phone caused a fatal crash in which 11 people died.