Proposed Regulations Would Limit Cell Phone Use by Truck and Bus Drivers

Proposed FMCSA regulations would significantly limit commercial drivers' access to mobile phones while driving.

2011-02-16

February 16, 2011 (Press-News.org) In a bold move, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has taken a stance against behind-the-wheel use of mobile phones by commercial bus and truck drivers. Proposed regulations -- which some see as a huge step in the direction of increasing safety on the road -- would prohibit use of handheld mobile phones as well as preventing the driver from dialing, holding a cell phone or reaching for a phone while the vehicle is in motion.

This particular proposal is seen as the middle ground between several proposals on opposite ends of the debate around using a cell phone while driving. One suggestion was to allow the use of all handheld devices, essentially putting no restrictions on those who operate commercial vehicles. On the other hand was the option of banning all mobile phones -- even hands-free models -- behind the wheel of large trucks and buses.

The FMCSA, acting upon advice from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, decided that taking no action was not an option. They concluded from their own research -- and that coming from other state and federal agencies -- that, while simply talking on a cell phone has not been shown to be a significant distraction, anything that takes the driver's eyes off the road (i.e. dialing, reaching for a dropped phone, texting, or holding a phone away from the driver's ear) can cause a deadly motor vehicle accident.

Since this regulation has yet to be approved and implemented by commercial drivers around the country, it has had no impact on the safety of drivers or fellow motorists. The hazards of operating a cell phone or other electronic gadget behind the wheel are real, and those dangers are magnified when the operator is in control of an unwieldy and oversized commercial vehicle that can be difficult to operate when the driver is completely focused on the road. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney in your area to learn more about your legal rights and options.

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