Skip to main content

Guide to complying with FMCSA handheld cell phone ban

Effective yestereday, a new US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rule prohibits an estimated four million commercial truck and bus drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.
March 22, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Effective yestereday, a new US 4170 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rule prohibits an estimated four million commercial truck and bus drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. Under the new rule, individual drivers face civil penalties up to US$2,750, while employers can be held liable and fined up to $11,000 per infraction committed while drivers are carrying out company business or otherwise acting on the employer’s behalf.

To help commercial fleet operators understand and conform to the new regulation, ZoomSafer, a provider of software to prevent distracted driving, has published FMCSA Cell Phone Use Regulations: A Guide to Compliance for Truck and Bus Fleets.

“FMCSA has made it abundantly clear that employers are responsible if their employees violate the rule,” said ZoomSafer CEO Matt Howard. “This new white paper offers commercial fleet operators a detailed explanation of the handheld phone ban and guidance on how to measure and manage employee compliance.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Right ways to deter wrong-way
    August 6, 2020
    After research, California’s Caltrans is reviewing its highway design standards.
  • Telematics agreement for construction machines
    December 8, 2015
    Major progress has been made with regard to construction machine manufacturers agreeing on a standard for telematics communications. This is of key importance to contractors running mixed fleets, as data transfer from equipment will now be much easier. This progress has come with a new construction equipment telematics standard from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP). This has added key features to allow data gathering, and a test da
  • Proven safety barrier installation practices
    June 27, 2013
    Barrier selection criteria should pay close attention to risks for stretches of road as well as regulations. Roadways need to have barriers to provide passive protection for users and to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a vehicle leaving the roadway. A wide array of regulations and legislation covers the design and installation of barriers on Europe’s roads. However, there are still a number of loopholes for certain types of roadside protection and further agreement is required to close th
  • New array of earthmoving machines
    August 7, 2020
    Several firms are introducing new earthmoving machines with increased performance