- The National Transportation Safety Board is pushing for a ban on handheld and hands-free mobile phones by commercial truck drivers.
- The recommendation is a dramatic step by the safety board, which had previously urged that young drivers and bus drivers be banned from using cell phones while driving.
- It is the latest action in the federal government's ongoing battle against distracted driving.
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board is pushing for a ban on handheld and hands-free mobile phones by commercial truck drivers. It is the latest action in the federal government's ongoing battle against distracted driving.
The recommendation is a dramatic step by the safety board, which had previously urged that young drivers and bus drivers be banned from using cell phones while driving.
"Distracted driving is becoming increasingly prevalent, exacerbating the danger we encounter daily on our roadways," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman in a statement. "It can be especially lethal when the distracted driver is at the wheel of a vehicle that weighs 40 tons and travels at highway speeds."
The board made its recommendation this week after concluding that a 45-year-old truck driver who was responsible for a fatal crash near Munfordville, Kentucky that killed him and 10 others last year was probably distracted by his cell phone at the time of the crash.
"Investigators determined that the driver used his mobile phone for calls and text messages a total of 69 times while driving in the 24-hour period prior to the accident," said the NTSB. "The driver made four calls in the minutes leading up to the crash, making the last call at 5:14 a.m., coinciding with the time that the truck departed the highway."
The truck struck a 15-passenger van occupied by 12 people. Two children survived the crash.
The latest recommendation would apply to all drivers with a commercial driver's license. It would include all interstate commercial drivers and any in-state drivers using that type of license.
While the recommendation is not law, the safety board's actions often prompt local, state and federal legislation.
Inside Line says: Don't be surprised if the NTSB eventually recommends an across-the-board ban on the use of cell phones while driving.
Add A Comment »
jnbama says:
08:48 PM, 09/17/2011
Good comments already made of what I was going to enter, hand held cell phones while driving should be banned to everybody and they may want to ban your CB next ,I worked a short while for a large trucking company and every month there was one or two drivers involved in a rear end collision or running off the road because of a cell phone.
way2goslick says:
08:13 PM, 09/16/2011
Good! It's really stupid what people do when they are talking or texting while driving. You would not believe the number of times I've witnessed these fools cross over three lanes to avoid missing their off ramp because they were on their cell phone and weren't paying attention to the road. The only reason people drive with cell phones is they want people to think they are cool and important. These people are so in love with their cell phones that they make sure the cell phone bill gets paid before food gets put on the table. It's sad really!
isend2c says:
02:24 PM, 09/16/2011
Let's just all share the laws. Leave it to the states...
kkear3 says:
09:23 AM, 09/16/2011
@ litewerk: I can match every one of your close-calls. How about an SUV load of teens: those are the worst!
Now with CSA, it is about to become open season on truck drivers. Like we say at the very large truck rental company I work for: Guilty until proven guiltier!
rayzor says:
09:12 AM, 09/16/2011
Its about time!!!
litewerk says:
05:32 PM, 09/15/2011
Until you've driven or ridden in a big rig, you wouldn't believe how often a car (or SUV) will pass you to immediately cut in front of you, and then slam on the brakes to turn into an apartment complex, gas station or convenience store; this on a 45 mph, 4-lane city street On one memorable occasion, I'd just exited one freeway when a carload of teenagers cut in front of me out of nowhere, narrowly missing my front bumper by a few feet. Another time, on I-70 while pulling a tanker full of spring water, a driver passed me to again cut right in front of me, slam on the brakes to take an exit she very nearly missed; not sure if she ever realized she nearly lost her life. Anybody who has been driving (big rigs) a while will have dozens of close call stores to tell. And, I can admit that a few were stupid stuff done by another truck driver.
litewerk says:
04:43 PM, 09/15/2011
@rexall RE: Qualcomm units. Fairly sure nearly all large trucking companies have the truck disable the Qualcomm once the vehicle is in motion. Prior to whenever the industry changed the ability to do so, companies "discouraged" the use of the Qualcomm while driving. Over the 4 years I drove over-the-road, I often used it as necessary with no accidents and no "close calls."
@eddiez1 You tell 'em like it is! Not sure of the source, but I recently heard that 70-80% of all fatal accidents are the fault of the 4-wheelers. Meaning that 20-30% are caused bt big rig truck driver. This was supposed to be from some government (NHTSA) study over so many years.
eddiez1 says:
02:19 PM, 09/15/2011
"Thats a load of gargbage. There are terrible truck drivers, just as there are terrible car drivers. Its a universal thing. The only reason people are more on this as an issue, is because trucks are more of a hazard due to thier size (comes with longer stopping distances and gigantic blind spots). They already have things in place for passanger vehicles, this is just an attempt to get more distractions off the road."
truck drivers are much safer than average car drivers, it is a proven fact. truck related accidents have been greatly reduced by 19% since 2005. don't forget, in order to get a class A or B, you have to go through trainings and courses and servral tests. what did average car drivers do before they go to DMV and take road tests?
average car drivers like to cut in front of trucks, passing from the right, tailgating, etc. just because they wanna get to the stop lights few seconds earlier. remember, you are driving on public road not your own damn driveway. you can be home everyday that's because most of truck drivers did damn good job to keep you igorant, selfish morons alive.
93aero says:
01:46 PM, 09/15/2011
"Why limit it to CDL holders? If anything, truck drivers are safer than car drivers."
Thats a load of gargbage. There are terrible truck drivers, just as there are terrible car drivers. Its a universal thing. The only reason people are more on this as an issue, is because trucks are more of a hazard due to thier size (comes with longer stopping distances and gigantic blind spots). They already have things in place for passanger vehicles, this is just an attempt to get more distractions off the road.
greenpony says:
11:42 AM, 09/15/2011
What about a program to advocate responsible calling while driving?