Kentucky State Police report that the Alabama truck driver who crossed the median and caused a crash in March that killed him and 10 other people had been using his cell phone to send and receive calls leading up to the crash. This tragedy is just one example of the dangerous consequences of distracted driving.

Statistics show that driving while distracted is a factor in 25% of police-reported crashes. Given the rising number of automobile accidents caused by texting, the US Department of Transportation issued a nationwide ban in January that prohibits texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large truck and buses.

USRider, the national provider of roadside emergency assistance for equestrians, applauds the ban and urges horse owners to voluntarily comply with this ban while transporting horses.

"At USRider, we think no one should text while driving, and we urge horse owners to voluntarily comply with this ban, especially when trailering," said Mark Cole, managing member for USRider