ARLINGTON, VA  – The American Trucking Association said that they applaud the final rule issued by the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that bans cell phone use by commercial truck and bus drivers.

“Studies have shown that actions like texting and dialing a phone can greatly increase crash risk," said ATA president and CEO Bill Graves. "Taking steps to curb these behaviors hold great promise to improve highway safety.”

The ATA’s safety agenda includes banning texting and using cell phones for all drivers, and "while the federal government cannot enact such bans for drivers of passenger vehicles," Graves said, "ATA urges all states to follow the lead of DOT and FMCSA and take steps to ban these dangerous activities for all drivers.”

Graves said that as millions of Americans head out to spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones, it’s a fitting time for the final rule to be announced.

"We urge all drivers, whether it is illegal or not, to put down their phones while on the road so this can be a safe and happy holiday for all of us.”