Personal Injury Blog

Final Rule on Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban for Truck Drivers

December 4th, 2011
Cell Phone BanThere is a high risk when drivers operate cell phones and other electronic devices while driving

The US Department of Transportation has issued its final rule on cell phone ban for commercial truck and bus drivers traveling on interstates.  This is one of the last steps in the enactment of a rule that is strongly supported by trucking safety groups and San Diego truck accident lawyers.

The rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, is the latest strategy by the Department of Transportation in its war against distracted driving.  Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood has focused heavily on reducing distracted driving in the general population.  The agency has recently turned its sights to commercial truck and bus drivers, because of the high risk to motorists when drivers operate cell phones and other electronic communication devices while driving.

Distractions can have lethal consequences for any drivers.  However, these distractions can be even more devastating when a cell phone is being used by a commercial truck or bus driver.  A truck driver is operating a massive vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.  These trucks can be virtual killing machines when they’re involved in accidents.  A commercial tractor-trailer driver should have his attention focused 100% on the task of driving, and should not be distracted by cell phones and other devices.

Commercial bus drivers are responsible not only for the safety of the dozens of passengers on their own buses, but also the safety of the motorists who share interstates and highways with them.  Passengers and motorists are much safer when bus drivers can focus 100% on operating the bus without getting distracted by text messages and phone calls.

Under the final rule approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial truck and bus drivers are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone while operating the vehicle.  Commercial truck and bus drivers will be fined up to $2,750 for each violation.  In case of multiple offenses, the driver may be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle.  There are other penalties too.  States may suspend a driver’s commercial driver’s license if he has more violations to his credit.

Commercial trucking and bus companies will also be held accountable for their driver’s actions.  These companies may be fined maximum penalties of up to $11,000 if their drivers are caught using hand-held cell phones while driving.  The rule is expected to cover more than 4 million commercial truck and bus drivers around the country.

 

 

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