Welcome back and thanks for reading The Bottom Line! Today I wanted to make sure I passed around new info on the FMCSA’s Cell Phone Ban…this is an important note and I hope you read below.
…Special Thanks to David Bartosic from the Ohio Trucking Association for sharing…
“It probably comes as no surprise that FMCSA issued its final rule basically banning the use of all handheld cell phones by commercial motor vehicle drivers in INTERSTATE commerce, which becomes effective 30 days after appearing in the Federal Register.
Because this new rule comes equipped with an $11,000 fine for employers who fail to require their drivers to comply, you might want to get started if you haven’t already banned the use of such devices. Drivers face a fine of up to $2,750 if caught using one.”
Directly from FMCSA:
FMCSA and PHMSA are amending the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to restrict the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This rulemaking will improve safety on the Nation’s highways by reducing the prevalence of distracted driving-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving drivers of CMVs. The Agencies also amend their regulations to implement new driver disqualification sanctions for drivers of CMVs who fail to comply with this Federal restriction and new driver disqualification sanctions for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders who have multiple convictions for violating a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones. Additionally, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers of CMVs to use hand-held mobile telephones. Click Here Read the Full Text of the Ruling
The Bottom Line: This is a big deal. This new rule and its accompanying fines are significant. For your own sake, dust off your driver manuals and REQUIRE that your drivers stop using phones while driving. Aside from the fines, you should be concerned about what can happen in court if you are lax about the policy.
Hopefully you’ll check back soon to see our weekly updates. And always, if you have any questions for the Truck Insurance Pro…please just let us know and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Keep on Rollin’!
Jason Stevenson, MBA, CPIA
Truck Insurance Pro
The Hoffman Group–Transportation Services
800.826.4006
jstevenson@thehoffmangrp.com
