Cell Phones and Truckers- Like Nancy said, "Just say no".

From the Insurance Journal

I question even if cell phones are banned if it will be hard to catch them in the act. It would seem to make sense that if indeed cell phones are banned that there is a fine or penalty for having a cell phone without a wireless or bluetooth to it. Here are excerpts from the article:


Safety investigators told federal regulators three years ago that it was dangerous for bus drivers to talk on cell phones while driving and recommended a ban.

Yet the regulatory agency that would write new rules on cell phone use by commercial drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, has done little more than study the issue.

Now, after several high profile accidents that focused public attention on using cell phones on the road, the Obama administration has decided to act on the recommendation, which was left hanging by the Bush administration.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will convene a two-day summit next week on distracted driving and plans to announce actions to address cell phone use by bus and truck drivers, said spokeswoman Jill Zuckman.

The agency responded that it would not only conduct studies to learn whether a new rule was needed and whether cell phone use by all commercial drivers, including truck drivers, should be prohibited. It hoped to have answers last October.

An official for the motor carrier administration declined comment when contacted by The Associated Press.

Research clearly shows that cell phone use distracts drivers, safety experts said.

"When you are texting and talking on the phone, you might be going through the motions of doing what you need to be doing, but your head is not in the game,'' Hersman said.

As research has mounted, industry's resistance to regulation has faded.

The American Trucking Associations is neutral on a ban on cell phone use by truck drivers until they see the wording of a proposal, but "we think cell phones and other electronic equipment should have some policies and regulations on them to prevent their misuse,'' said spokesman Clayton Boyce.

Even the wireless industry, formerly opponents of restrictions, supports a texting ban and is neutral on restricting cell phone use by drivers.

Seventeen states and Washington prohibit school bus drivers from using cell phones while driving. Eighteen states and Washington have passed laws making texting while driving illegal.

A group of Democratic members of Congress introduced a bill this summer requiring states to ban texting or e-mailing while operating a moving vehicle or lose 25 percent of their annual federal highway funding. It would be patterned after Congress' requirement that states adopt a national drunken driving ban.