FMCSA Eyes Trucker Cell Phone Ban

http://blog.freightaccess.com/2010/12/fmcsa-cell-phone-ban-pending-for-truckers-and-freight-carriers/

The Governing Administration is Continuing To Move Forward regarding Controversial Legislation Excluding Use of Cellular Phones When Driving

Washington DC.

Today, Monday December 20, 2010, the united states Department of Transportation proposed a new safety regulation which, as part of its commitment to safety, would likely make an effort to lower distracted driving through reducing use of hand-held mobiles while you are operating a commercial freight rig on interstate roadways. This specific idea has surfaced several times and situations caused by the creation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010 guidelines.

The top of the United States Transportation Authority, Secretary Ray La Hood indicated his support for such restriction. Mr. la Hood thinks that this kind of regulation could significantly help make the roads safer by way of recommending the freight delivery driver maintains their entire focus on the highway and not just on a portable cellular phone. Mr. La Hood emphasizes that whenever a commercial freight driver or owner operator takes his or her's attention off the road, there is a prospect of accidents or fatalities on Our country's Roads.

If this sort of legislation is suggested, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) could possibly prevent commercial truck drivers, in operation, from operating a cellular phone whilst driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would most likely propose federal civil penalties ranging up to $2,750 for each occurrence and multiple offenders of a cellphone ban might face disqualification of driving privileges. While at present only in the discussion phase, this kind of restriction being considered may move to suspend a driver's CDL after the second violation of any active state restriction with regards to cell phone usage even while operating commercial vehicles.

The significance of this unsafe practice might not be limited to only the driver - offender. Current versions of legislation being considered would probably hold the freight carriers liable for their truckers who use cellular telephones for driving as well. LTL and Truckload Carriers could very well face a maximum penalty of more than $10,000 for each occurrence. This important proposal, if executed, can effect as many as four million interstate commercial drivers.

The Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Anne Ferro is convinced that implementation of this sort of regulation would probably make the streets less dangerous and aim to lessen the impact of the top reason behind inattentive driving. Ms. Ferro explained the FMCSA's commitment to applying all resources to make certain that commercial truckers are operating safely at all times. FMCSA Research demonstrates that operating a cellular phone whilst driving takes a significant amount of attention away from the driver's operation of the vehicle. Truckers who had reached for an object including a mobile phone while driving were more than three times more likely to be involved in an accident or other safety critical incident. The stakes go up more than 600% for drivers who are dialing a telephone during operation of their semi truck. These data are not new to many of the industry's top LTL or Truckload Carriers. Trucking companies such as UPS, Covenant Transport, Wal-Mart and more have enforced company policies and have banned truckers who have engaged in use of phones during driving. These carriers have taken proactive steps in eliminating these unsafe driving habits.

FMCSA research shows that using a hand-held cellphone whilst driving requires a commercial driver to take several risky steps. In particular, commercial truck drivers reaching for an object, this kind of as a cellular telephone, while you are driving are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event. Drivers dialing a hand-held cell phone during driving increase their risk through six times. Many of the largest carriers, this sort of as UPS, Covenant Transport, and Wal-Mart, already have company policies in place banning their truckers from using hand-held phones. In September 2010, FMCSA issued a regulation banning text messaging during operating a commercial motor vehicle.

Despite the FMCSA being very busy with the role-out of Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010) implementation, the Administration is moving forward on this important rule rapidly. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is providing a 60 day period for the public to reply to the rule making. The comment time period begins after the proposed rule is released in the Federal Register.

FULL ARTICLE HERE.


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http://www.freightaccess.com: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has taken quite a few actions during the course of 2010 towards broaden its governance of the Transportation Industry along with Freight Carrier Market. The FMCSA isn't stopping at simply implementation of controversial CSA 2010 Program. . The Administration is actively seeking to control use of hand-held mobile phones by truckers along with truck drivers.