Effective January 3, 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued regulations banning the use of hand-held mobile phones in commercial vehicles. Here is an overview of the new rules:
What Is Banned?
All hand-held mobile phones are banned under the new regulation. This means:
- using at least one hand to hold the phone to conduct a voice communication.
- dialing or answering a mobile phone by pressing more than a single button.
- reaching for a mobile phone that requires a driver to maneuver so that he/she is no longer in a seated driving position restrained by a seat belt.
Who Is Affected?
- all interstate commercial vehicles (as defined in 390.5)
- all intrastate drivers hauling a placarded amount of hazardous materials.
Where Can I Use A Mobile Phone?
- Move off to the side of or off the highway and stop in a safe location.
What Are The Penalties?
- Civil penalties for the driver in the amount of $2,750 for each offense/disqualification for multiple offenses
- $11,000 penalty for the carrier who allowed their employee to violate.
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