FMCSA and PHMSA Issues Final Rule on Restricting Use of Cellular Phones
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) have published a final rule 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 restriction and new driver disqualification sanctions for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders who have multiple convictions for violating state or local laws 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. The final rule becomes effective January 3, 2012. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-02/html/2011-30749.htm