A British truck driver faces five years in prison after killing a man in a crash caused by the distraction of using a mobile phone.
Paul Browning admitted to causing death by dangerous driving in the June accident, but he had denied sending the text message on the mobile phone, saying blowing papers in the truck cab had distracted him and he had only glanced at his mobile phone to see if his girlfriend and sent him a message.
The judge, after hearing witnesses, decided that the trucker had indeed been keying in a text message while he was driving.
The victim, Paul Hammond, was standing next to his mother's car, speaking to her through the window, when Browning's truck veered off the roadway and hit the parked cars.
The text message found on Browning's telephone read, "Oh yes! A real scorcher! Well, just leaving Benfleet 4 West Thurrock job no 7 of 11. S***! Call you back." The prosecution claimed, and the judge agreed, that Browning had sent the last sentence of the message after the crash occurred and the truck had come to a stop.
British safety advocates are calling for officials to make it illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, even hands-free versions.
British Trucker Gets Five Years for Mobile Phone-Related Crash
A British truck driver faces five years in prison after killing a man in a crash caused by the distraction of using a mobile phone
More Safety & Compliance

FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming. What Fleets Need to Know Now
The long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls.
Read More →
Nominations Open for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026
Heavy Duty Trucking is searching for forward-looking leaders at trucking fleets as nominations for HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators 2026. Deadline is May 15.
Read More →
Freightliner Expands Detroit Assurance with New Intersection and Turning Safety Tech
Detroit’s next-generation ABA6 safety system adds cross-traffic detection and enhanced side guard assist with left-turn protection, targeting high-risk urban scenarios.
Read More →
'Beyond Compliance,' Regulations, Driver Coaching on ATRI’s 2026 Research List
The American Transportation Research Institute will examine driver coaching, regulatory impacts — including the "Beyond Compliance" concept —and weather disruptions that shape trucking operations.
Read More →
FMCSA Revamps DataQs to Improve Fairness, Speed of Reviews
New requirements add firm deadlines and independent review steps, addressing long-standing complaints about inconsistent rulings and slow response times.
Read More →
FMCSA Extends Paper Medical Card Exemption … Again
Five states still aren't ready to accept commercial driver medical exam information directly from the medical examiner's registry.
Read More →
HDT Honors the Best New Products of 2025 at TMC [Photos]
Heavy Duty Trucking's Top 20 Products awards recognize the best new products and technologies. Check out the award presentations at the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.
Read More →
Detroit Engines: Trusted Performance, Built for What's Next
The Detroit® Gen 6 engine platform proves that real progress doesn’t require a complete redesign. Built on 20 years of trusted technology, these engines are designed for efficiency, stronger performance, and greater reliability than before. And they do it all while complying with 2027 EPA standards on every mile.
Read More →
Aperia Expands Halo Platform with Steer-Tire Inflation System, Fifth-Wheel Integration
Aperia Technologies introduced a new automatic tire inflation system for steer axles and a partnership with Fontaine Fifth Wheel to integrate coupling status into its Halo Connect platform.
Read More →
Fleetworthy and HAAS Alert Expand Partnership Stopped Truck Protection Alerts
Fleetworthy and HAAS Alert expanded their partnership to deliver real-time digital alerts that warn motorists when commercial trucks are stopped roadside and notify truck drivers when approaching emergency responders.
Read More →
