COLUMBUS, Ohio — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood encouraged the nation’s safest truck drivers to play an active role in combating distracted driving. “Distracted driving is an epidemic in America,” LaHood said in a speech Aug. 5 during the National Truck Driving Championships.

U.S. factory orders dropped 1.2% in June, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

Truckers in New Jersey using two-way radios are now exempted from the state’s ban on driving while using handheld communication devices.

New Jersey has exempted truck drivers using with CBs and two-way radios from its prohibition against using handheld communication devices while driving.

Delaware has become the 30th state to ban drivers from texting or holding cell phones while driving, the Detroit News reported.

The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association said 84% of its members experienced sales growth during the second quarter, with 28% reporting “substantial growth.”

The Pennsylvania House has unanimously passed a bill that would ban indemnification contracts that some shippers and receivers force trucking firms to sign.

Massachusetts and Iowa enacted laws to combat distracted driving late last week, with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) signed legislation Friday outlawing texting while driving, making his the 29th state to outlaw the practice.

U.S. factory orders declined 1.4% in April, the biggest drop since March 2009, the Commerce Department said Friday.

The Senate Commerce Committee last week approved a bill aimed at encouraging states to pass their own distracted driving laws, sending the measure to the Senate floor.