“Texting while driving is one of the worst types of distraction, because it is a visual, physical, and mental distraction. To text, you have to take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off driving.

Studies have shown that texting while driving can impair a driver as much as driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent.

Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for at least 5 seconds. At 55mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field blindfolded.

Because of how dangerous it is, commercial motor vehicle operators are prohibited by the FMCSA from texting while driving and using a handheld telephone. If you hold a CDL, this means you cannot reach for, hold, dial, or answer a cell phone when driving.

To comply with the FMCSA, drivers must use the hands-free feature on their cell phone, and safely answer or terminate a call by touching a single button. Reaching is not allowed. Drivers can also use an earpiece, the speaker phone function, or voice-activated dialing.”