"Not a good idea to do while driving"
An accident happened on the NY Thruway (I-90) back on Decemeber 12, 2009. A 33 year old female driver mother of two had struck a deer and her car had become disabled, in the road. The driver was able to call 9-1-1, but was killed in another accident shortly after.
This is a bizarre story not because of the tragic death of a 33 year old mother of two young children. But, because of what NY State police say was the cause of the accident that killed her. Police charged a truck driver with manslaughter after they say he was tired and "watching a pornographic movie on a laptop" while driving his tractor trailer.
Police investigated the accident on Dec. 12th, 2009 didn't make the connection that day. But, troopers found a laptop in the truck and did all the normal checks on truckers who are involved in accidents. Like checking logbooks to see that the times are correctly marked to match toll tickets, fuel receipts, cell phone records, and QualComm GPS tracking. As well as any other electronic devices within the drivers reach at the time of an accident.
The police determined the laptop had been in use during the time the accident occurred. They (the police) investigated more and found that the laptop had been streaming a porn movie at the time of the accident. Facts that led investigators to this were, several cars had been able to swerve to avoid the disabled car just before the tractor trailer crashed, the weather was clear that day, and the road was straight and clear although the accident did happen at the top of a grade.
Investigators also determined the Truck Driver was in violation of his log book. A federal regulation is in place that keeps truckers from driving while they are tired. Elevan hours of driving and a driver must have 10 hours off duty. The investigators determined that this driver had rested for four hours in the last 27 hours prior to the accident.
Texting and driving was banned for commercial drivers Tuesday Jan. 26th, 2010. Texting is dangerous, but what this driver was doing is just outrageous. Although it is common for some drivers do use their laptops while driving to look at maps. This is bad enough, but watching movies is down right uncalled for. If you as a truck driver or any driver for that matter, is feeling the need to watch a "PORN MOVIE" please pull into a truck stop or a rest area and do so.
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