The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has formally banned Texting while operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). The FMCSA estimates that CMV drivers who ‘text’ while driving are over 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash, near crash or lane deviation.
The FMCSA rule, part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) expands what is normally called Texting (sending text messages between cell phones or other devices) to include (but is not limited to):
- Short Message Services (Is a text messaging protocol generally used on Cell Phones. Most SMS messages are sent between two mobile devices ( aka mobile-to-mobile ). The SMS protocol also supports the exchange of messages between computers, websites, and other devices. SMS messages are limited to 160 characters per message. The protocol was originally part of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standards which were published in 1985.) text messages between devices.
- Creating, Sending or Reading E-mail
- Browsing the Internet using a mobile or other device.
- Pressing more than a single button to initiate or terminate a call using a cell phone
- Engaging in any other form of electronic text entry or retrieval, for present or future communication.
The penalties for violating the rule can be up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow or require drivers to use a mobile device for texting while driving. Multiple convictions for violating the rule can result in disqualification of the driver and a negative impact on the company’s Safety Measurement System Results.
The message to drivers from the FMCSA: “No Call, No Text, No Ticket!”
We can help you determine if a cell phone was or was not a factor in a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) accident.
