IRON MOUNTAIN - Commercial bus and truck drivers are not allowed to talk on hand-held cellular phones while driving down any roadway or when stopped at a traffic signal, per a new federal law.
The joint rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is the latest action by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving.
Upper Peninsula truckers have been issued warnings recently after they were spotted using a hand-held cell phone.
Many said they were unaware of the new law.
Jan Charles, safety specialist with the Michigan Center for Truck Safety, said all commercial motor vehicle drivers are banned from using handheld cell phones, but they could do hands free talking.
An example of a hands-free talking device is a headset. With the headset, drivers can keep both hands on the wheel.
Charles said commercial motor vehicle drivers are aware of the law, even though there was a lot of confusion at first.
"It's hand-held cell phones that are banned while driving. They (commercial truck drivers) can't use a cell phone when stopped in traffic or at a traffic light," Charles said. "They can only pick up a hand-held cellular phone if they are dialing directly to an emergency service."
The new federal law took effect Jan. 3.
Violations of the law are costly fines and even revocation of a Commercial Driver's License.
Federal civil penalties for drivers are $2,750 for each offense. Multiple offenses will result in disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Offenses will count as traffic violations and several accrued infractions can lead to a commercial driving license being revoked.
States will suspend a driver's commercial driver's license after two or more serious traffic violations.
Commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000.
Charles noted the federal law is for all commercial trucks and buses.
"It's totally for safety reasons," she said.
In Michigan, motorists can talk on a cell phone while driving but are prohibited from texting while driving.
According to the FMCSA, using a hand-held cell phone while driving requires a commercial driver to take several risky steps beyond what is required for using a hands-free device, including searching and reaching for the phone.
Commercial drivers reaching for an object, such as a cell phone, are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event.
"When drivers of large trucks, buses and hazardous materials take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds, the outcome can be deadly," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "I hope that this rule will save lives by helping commercial drivers stay laser-focused on safety at all times while behind the wheel."
In September 2010, FMCSA issued a regulation banning text messaging while operating a commercial truck or bus.
PHMSA followed with a companion regulation in February 2011, banning texting by intrastate hazardous materials drivers.
"Needless injuries and deaths happen when people are distracted behind the wheel," said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman. "Our final rule would improve safety and reduce risks of hazmat in transportation."
FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro said this final rule represents a giant leap for safety.
"It's just too dangerous for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game when operating on our roads. Lives are at stake," Ferro said.
Nearly 5,474 people died and half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2009.
Distraction-related fatalities represented 16 percent of overall traffic fatalities in 2009, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research.
UPS, Walmart and Greyhound already have company policies in place banning their drivers from using hand held phones.