Cell Phone Restrictions for U.S. Truckers in Effect
WASHINGTON — As of today, interstate truck and bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving.
Under the final rule posted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous materials Safety Administration, drivers face penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification for multiple offenses. States may suspend a driver’s commercial license for multiple convictions of state or local cell phone violations.
Companies that allow their driver’s to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000.
FMCSA said research shows that drivers reaching for an object are three times more likely to be involved in a safety-critical event, and dialing a cell phone increases that risk to six times.
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