US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Considering Truck Driver Cell Phone Ban.

Dec. 24, 2010 - PRLog -- At this time, Monday December 20, 2010, usa Department of Transportation proposed a brand new safety regulation which in turn, as part of its commitment to safety, might make an attempt to lessen distracted driving by way of constraining use of hand-held cell phones whilst operating a commercial freight truck on interstate highways. This specific topic has come up several times and instances due to the creation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010 legal guidelines.

The head of the United States Transportation Authority, Secretary Ray La Hood pointed out his support for this kind of restriction. Mr. la Hood feels that such legislation could significantly help make the roads more secure by advising the trucker keeps his / her whole particular attention on the highway and not on a portable cellular telephone. Mr. La Hood is convinced that whenever a commercial trucker or owner operator takes their eyes off the road, there's a possibility of accidents or deaths on America's Roadways.

If this sort of restriction is suggested, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will probably prohibit commercial truckers, in operation, from using a telephone at the same time 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 mobile phone ban may face disqualification of driving privileges. Although currently only in the discussion phase, this sort of restriction being considered may move to suspend a driver's CDL after the second violation of any established state law concerning cellular telephone usage while you are operating commercial vehicles.

The significance of this specific unsafe practice might not be limited to only the driver - offender. Current versions of guidelines being considered would likely hold the freight carriers accountable for their truck drivers who use cellular telephones for driving as well. Freight Carriers could face a maximum penalty in excess of $10,000 for each and every occurrence. This proposal, if executed, can effect as many as four million interstate commercial truck drivers.

The Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Anne Ferro thinks that implementation of this sort of regulation could make the freeways less hazardous and aim to decrease the impact of the primary cause of inattentive driving. Ms. Ferro explained the FMCSA's commitment to employing all resources to make certain that commercial truckers are operating safely at all times. FMCSA Research demonstrates that operating a cell phone during driving takes a significant amount of attention away from the driver's operation of the vehicle. Truck drivers who had reached for an object including a cellular phone at the same time 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 truck drivers who are dialing a cellular telephone during operation of their semi truck. These reports are not new to many of the industry's top freight carriers. Trucking companies this as UPS, Covenant Transport, Wal-Mart and more have put in place company policies and have banned drivers who have engaged in use of telephones while driving. These carriers have taken proactive steps in eliminating these unsafe driving habits.

FMCSA research shows that using a hand-held cellular telephone while driving requires a commercial driver to take several risky steps. In particular, commercial truckers reaching for an object, such as a cellular telephone, while you are driving are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event. Truckers dialing a hand-held mobile phone while you are driving increase their risk as a result of six times. Many of the largest carriers, such as UPS, Covenant Transport, and Wal-Mart, already have company policies in place banning their drivers 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 giving a sixty day period for the general public to comment on the rule making. The comment period begins after a proposed rule is released in the Federal Register.

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