Cell phone ban is being proposed by FMCSA

Officials at a recent national conference of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Associations say that federal proposals are aimed at trucking safety, The Indianapolis Star reports.

Officials told the news source that nearly 23,000 commerical carriers in the U.S will soon be mailed letters that warn them to improve the safety of their vehicles or drivers. Furthermore, approximately 300 truck and bus operators in Indiana will receive warnings.

"I would say that 90 percent of the carriers follow the rules and try to operate safely," Anne S. Ferro, administrator of the federal agency on motor carrier safety, told the news source. "We are concerned about the 10 percent who do not."

Ferro and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) are also proposing a widespread ban on cell phone use while a driver is operating a vehicle. They added that they feel that this practice distracts drivers from effectively being safe while on the road.

Employers can enroll there employees into compliance training for truck drivers to educate them on the new regulations that are currently being proposed by FMCSA.

By Andie Martin

Cell phone ban is being proposed by FMCSA

Friday, March 4th, 2011