Nation's Truck Drivers May Face Cell Phone Ban by FMCSA
Washington DC.
At this time, Monday December 20, 2010, the united states Department of Transportation proposed a new safety legislation in which, as part of its commitment to safety, might try to greatly reduce distracted operating by means of constraining the use of hand-held mobile devices while operating a commercial freight truck on interstate streets. This important idea has surfaced many times and situations caused by the creation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010 legal guidelines.
The top officer of the United States Transportation Authority, Secretary Ray La Hood indicated his support for such restriction. Mr. la Hood feels that this regulation will certainly significantly help make the roads more secure as a result of recommending the freight delivery driver keeps his whole awareness on the streets and not just on a portable cellular telephone. Mr. La Hood thinks that each time a commercial freight driver or owner operator takes his or her's eyes off the road, there's a possibility of accidents or deaths on Our country's Highways.
If this regulation is offered, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) might possibly prevent commercial drivers, in operation, from operating a mobile phone while driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration might propose federal civil penalties ranging up to $2, 750 for each occurrence and multiple offenders of a mobile phone ban can face disqualification of driving privileges. Though at the moment only in the discussion phase, this sort of guidelines being considered could possibly move to suspend a driver's CDL after a second occurrence of any existing state law with regards to cellular telephone usage at the same time operating commercial vehicles.
The significance of this particular unsafe practice might not be limited to only the driver - offender. Current versions of legislation being considered would certainly hold the freight carriers responsible for their drivers who use cellular telephones for driving as well. Trucking Companies may possibly face a maximum penalty of more than $10, 000 for every single occurrence. This proposal, if put in place, could very well effect up to four million interstate commercial truck drivers.
The Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Anne Ferro claims that implementation of this regulation would likely make the highways safer and aim to reduce the impact of the leading reason behind inattentive driving. Ms. Ferro explained the FMCSA's commitment to implementing all resources to make certain that commercial truckers are operating safely at all times. Fmcsa Research demonstrates that operating a cellular telephone when driving takes a significant amount of attention away from the driver's operation of the vehicle. Drivers who had reached for an object including a handset whilst 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 cellphone during operation of their semi truck. These statistics are not new to many of the industry's leading Trucking Companies. Trucking companies this sort of as UPS, Covenant Transport, Wal-Mart and more have implemented company policies and have banned truck drivers who have engaged in use of mobile phone handsets while driving. These carriers have taken proactive steps in eliminating these unsafe driving habits.
Fmcsa research shows that using a hand-held telephone during driving requires a commercial driver to take several risky steps. In particular, commercial truck drivers reaching for an object, this kind of as a cellphone, while driving are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event. Drivers dialing a hand-held cellphone even while 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 truck drivers from using hand-held phones. In September 2010, Fmcsa issued a regulation banning text messaging when 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 rule rapidly. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is allowing a 60 day time period for the general public to reply to the rule making. The comment period begins right after the offered rule is written and published in the Federal Register.
FULL ARTICLE HERE
http://www.freightaccess.com: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has taken lots of measures in the course of the course of 2010 that will broaden its governance of the Transportation Industry and also Freight Carrier Market. The FMCSA isn't stopping at just implementation of controversal CSA 2010 Legislation. The Administration is actively seeking to regulate use of hand-held cellular phones by truckers as well as truck drivers.
Brad Hollister is an Experienced Transportation Executive with Freight Access and a passion for Business Development through innovation, process improvement, and technology. Feel free to contact me with any inquiries, opportunities, or suggestions.
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