Trucking Company Allegedly Encourages Cell Phone Use While Driving

Case Overview

This case involves a fatal trucking accident that was caused by distracted driving. The truck driver was using his cell phone to communicate with his employer while operating the truck on a major interstate highway. At the time, the weather was very rainy with limited visibility. The truck driver ultimately rear-ended the car in front of him, causing 4 fatalities. It was alleged that the operating company was to blame for the incident for encouraging drivers to use cell phones while operating vehicles. An expert in human factors expert with experience relating to distracted driving was sought to discuss the impact cellphone use can have on a driver’s ability to properly operate motor vehicles.

Questions to the Occupational Health and Safety expert and their responses

Please explain your human factor experience and how it pertains to this case?

This case is right in my area of expertise and I am glad to assist. I am a licensed professional engineer, and I specialize in human factors. I hold a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a Ph.D. in industrial engineering with a research focus in human factors, ergonomics, and biomechanics. Presently, I serve as the president of a human factors consultancy. I have extensive experience analyzing driver behavior, including cell phone use and other in-vehicle distractions. I have reviewed and testified on similar cases as a human factors expert.

Do you have extensive knowledge of what effect speaking on the phone has on a driver?

My research during my time as a university professor focused on in-vehicle distractions and the effects of cell phone use while driving. I am well-versed on the current science related to this topic.

About the expert

This highly qualified human factors expert earned his BS and MS in Industrial Engineering at the University of Tennessee, and PhD in Industrial Engineering with a focus in Human Factors, Ergonomics, and Biomechanics at the University of Michigan. This expert has extensive experience analyzing driver behavior, including cell phone use and other in-vehicle distractions. While an assistant professor at West Virginia consultancy this expert's research focus was cell phone use and automobile distractions. This expert is a member of several professional organizations including the Society of Automotive Engineers, American Society of Safety Engineers, and Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Presently, this expert is the President of a Human Factors consultancy.