FMCSA Bans Hand-Held Cell Phone Use
Posted on Mon, Jan 03, 2011 @ 08:32 AM
Coming on the heels of the FMCSA’s banning of texting by truck drivers in November, the U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed a ban on cell phone use for commercial truck and bus drivers while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
The main problem with cell phone use is that it takes your eyes and your focus off the road. The FMCSA said that distracted drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 out of every six seconds. At 55 MPH, that means a texting driver travels the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road. The new rule was put in place because, to the surprise of few, calling and operating a phone is almost just as dangerous as texting while driving. The difference is texting takes your eyes and focus off the road whereas making a phone call only takes away your focus. However, while driving a commercial motor vehicle you need both to operate it properly and now you need both to avoid a heavy fine.
A study that came from Virginia Tech found that truckers were 23 times more likely to cause an accident while texting. Also, drivers are three times more likely to be in an accident while reaching for an object such as a phone. Drivers are six times more likely to be in a crash when dialing on a hand held cell phone. These numbers are too large to be ignored.
The penalty for violating this new rule will be a fine of $2,750. The fine will be issued after each offense and two or more offenses will result in the suspension of a driver’s commercial driver’s license. Multiple offenses can result in the disqualification of a driver’s CDL. The fault not only lies with the drivers, but the carriers are also held responsible. Motor carriers that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving would face a maximum penalty of $11,000. Approximately four million interstate commercial drivers would be affected by this proposal.
For some perspective, most nationwide wireless charge about 50 cents for a phone call or text message. With this new law in place, that 50 cents is the least of a drivers’ worries.