Texting behind the wheel became illegal for truck drivers last week under a ruling by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It will make the roads safer, assuming that truckers comply. Fines of up to $2,750 should encourage it.

Federal officials hope to work with the wireless industry — which supports the ban — to develop an enforcement mechanism. The USDOT decision is based on data that shows an indisputable link between texting and road risks.

Texting requires drivers to take their eyes off the road for more than 80 percent of the time they are punching out letters on their cell phones, according to research by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In effect, those motorists are driving blind.

Truckers are the second group of drivers for whom texting has been banned. Federal employees are prohibited from texting while driving government vehicles under an executive order from President Obama.

Meanwhile, 29 states and the District of Columbia have placed at least some restrictions on texting behind the wheel. The evidence clearly shows that nothing short of a ban is warranted.

Unfortunately, South Carolina has yet to join the ranks, though the state departments of Transportation and Public Safety last week banned texting by their employees who drive state vehicles. That ban covers about 5,000 vehicles.

And the state Budget and Control Board has banned the use of state-provided cell phones by its employees while driving, and is looking at broader restrictions.

Meanwhile, a House subcommittee last week postponed a vote on a ban for texting and using a handheld cell phone while driving.

Let’s hope that our legislators aren’t asleep at the wheel when it comes to reacting to this serious roadway danger.

The (Charleston) Post and Courier