Dialing your Cell Phone while Driving Could Cost You

Effective January 3, 2012, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) adopted a new rule which bans the use of hand-held cellular phones while driving commercial motor vehicles. This rule was created partially as a result of a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) study that cited that the likelihood of being involved in a driving incident were three times higher when the driver is reaching for an object, and six times higher when the driver is dialing a cell phone.

This new rules prohibits:

Push-To-Talk & Dialing (can use single button controls)
Reaching for phone (must be located where driver can easily manage phone with use of a single button)

This new rule permits:

Wired and wireless earpieces (hands free use)
Speakerphone function
Wireless connection of the mobile phone to the vheicle allow use of single button contraols on steering wheel or dashboard

Violations can be very expensive with fines of up to $2750 for each offense and disqualification of CDL for multiple offenses. States are permitted to suspend the CDL(commercial drivers license) after more than two violations. Suspensions can be 60 days with a second offense in 3 years and 120 days for each subsequent office within three years. Motor carriers that permit usage of hand-held phones face a max penalty of $11,000.

Right now this rule is specific to commercial vehicles, however each states laws vary when it comes to personal use. If you travel across state lines take the time to review hand held laws at handsfreeinfo.com.

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Smith Buckley and Hunt Insurance's Blog

Dialing your Cell Phone while Driving Could Cost You