New FEDERAL Law Restricts Use of Cell Phones and Similar Devices in CMV’s

The US Department of Transportation. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a notice that pertains to any organization or person operating Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV’s). This action prohibits the use of Cellular Telephones (even the “NexTel” PTT-type units) except under a set of very narrow circumstances. The rule is summarized below, with links to the actual document.

RIN:  2126-AB29
Docket #:  FMCSA-2010-0096
49 CFR Part:  383, 384, 390, 391, 392

Action: Final Rule
Summary:
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.

You can link to the actual document here: View and Print Entire Ruling in PDF Form