Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary has made a final ruling to bar handheld cell phones for commercial drivers. This does not include hands free cell phone use. Effective January 1, 2012 violators will have to pay a fine up to $2,750 per offense and multiple offense CDL operators will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle and states will suspend CDLs after 2 + serious traffic violations.
Truck and Bus companies are also going to be held accountable for the action of their drivers. If a company allows their drivers to operate a commercial vehicle while using a handheld cell phone they will face a maximum penalty of $11,000.
The new rule will permit drivers to pull to the side of or off a highway or stop where the vehicle can be safe and stationary to use a handheld cell phone.
To read more:
Read News Release from FMCSA
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