Feb 4, 2010

FMCSA bans texting while driving commercial vehicles

Recently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an interim regulatory measure that bans all texting while driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) on public roads in interstate commerce. This ban is effective immediately.


The FMCSA will complete a more formal notice-and-comment rulemaking later in 2010.

The ban applies to CMVs subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), which includes vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds in interstate commerce on public roads. This includes all vehicles which require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate, as well as lighter trucks which could include heavier rated pick-up trucks.

Texting can only be done by a driver when the vehicle is off the roadway and parked in a legal and safe area.



This ban does not prohibit texting by a passenger and does not prohibit texting by the driver while not driving. Again, the vehicle should be off of the roadway, parked in a legal and safe manner.

This is effective immediately.  Personally, I think this is a great idea.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Ken,
    This is absolutely a great idea and I bet it will save lives. We have a ban on cell phone use (without earpieces or speakers) among drivers in Calif. and I think that needs to be expanded to include texting, too. It's shocking to see cars weaving around in their lanes or slowing down to a dangerous crawl and then, when you look at the driver, nine times out of ten they're busy with a cell phone or PDA.
    Best,
    Marty

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  2. Personally I think you shouldn't be allowed to text or use a phone while driving.
    It just isn't safe.

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  3. Ken The use of Mobile phones while driving are already banned here in the UK ~ A man got a fine the other day for blowing his nose while driving crazy but true :o) ~ Ally x

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  4. I don't think anyone should text or talk on their cell while driving. I always use a hands free that automatically picks up when someone rings through.

    And uh, yeah. About that article. That's just me. I'm weird. I can't help it. Em's great though and I appreciate you stopping by. :o)

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