Home » Mobile Computing and PDA Articles » Federal Proposals Seek to Prevent Distracted Driving
Federal Proposals Seek to Prevent Distracted Driving
When drivers are distracted and fail to give their full attention to the task at hand, others on the road may be forced to deal with the consequences: serious automobile accidents.
January 25, 2011 /Mobile Computing and PDA PR News/ -- When drivers are distracted and fail to give their full attention to the task at hand, others on the road may be forced to deal with the consequences: serious automobile accidents.
According to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16 percent of deaths from automobile accidents in 2009 involved distracted drivers and about 500,000 people were injured in collisions with distracted drivers. If a driver is behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer and distracted, the consequences are likely to be even more severe than with smaller vehicles.
Because of the risks associated with distracted driving, the federal government has taken a keen interest in preventing truck drivers from being distracted. Commercial truck drivers are already forbidden from texting while driving, but new proposals seek to expand the restrictions placed on commercial drivers, with the hopes of further limiting the potential distractions and in turn, reducing the number of truck accidents.
In late December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed new regulations that would prevent commercial truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones at all while driving commercial vehicles. According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the proposed rule would "prohibit a [commercial motor vehicle] driver from reaching for, holding, or dialing a mobile telephone" to have a phone call while driving.
Under the proposed regulations, those who violate the rule would be subject to fines up to $2,750 for each offense. Those with multiple violations may be disqualified from driving commercial vehicles. Companies that allow their employees to use hand-held phones while driving could also be penalized, with fines up to $11,000.
The proposed regulation was published in the Federal Register on December 21, and the federal government will accept comments on the proposal for 60 days. Those concerned about distracted driving and the dangers of truck accidents can take this opportunity to make these concerns known. Hopefully the ban will take effect shortly thereafter, leaving the roads safer for everyone.
Article provided by McSweeney & Fay, P.L.L.P.
Visit us at www.mcfay.com
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