US proposes cellphone ban for truck drivers

[Grid]

I think that cell phones shouldn't be banned for truck and bus drivers. I don't think we should discriminate against someone just because they drive a truck. However, I believe that the trucking companies should be allowed to decide whether or not they want to permit their truckers to use cell phones while driving or not.


WASHINGTON - The U.S. government on Friday proposed prohibiting commercial truck and bus drivers from using cellphones while behind the wheel.

The Transportation Department rule would affect approximately 4 million drivers, who are already banned by the government from texting while working.

The proposal is the latest move in Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's stepped-up campaign against distracted driving in which he has questioned cellphone use in passenger cars and "hands free" communications technology.

"Every time a commercial truck or bus driver takes his or her eyes off the road to use a cellphone, even for a few seconds, the driver places everyone around them at risk," LaHood said in a statement.

Nearly 5,000 people were killed and another 500,000 were hurt in crashes of all vehicles involving a distracted driver in 2009, government safety figures show.

Inattention was a factor in 9 percent of large truck crashes, which fell overall in 2009 from the previous year. Most truck crashes involve collisions with other vehicles.

[Sensible Socialist]

Cell phones should be banned for all vehicle drivers on roads.



However, I believe that the trucking companies should be allowed to decide whether or not they want to permit their truckers to use cell phones while driving or not.

I'd rather not leave my safety in a vehicle up to the decision of a corporate employee.

[chegitz guevara]

And auto drivers.

[Psy]

Cell phones should be banned for all vehicle drivers on roads.


I'd rather not leave my safety in a vehicle up to the decision of a corporate employee.
The difference is truck and bus drivers are professional drivers. With the popularity of cellphones many bus and truck companies have moved away from RF radios and to cellphones to connect drivers to dispatch.

Also the primary cause of truck crashes are lack of vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue and driver pressured to make deadlines that is mostly due to very weak worker solidarity and militancy among truckers.

I would much rather see a law stating only unionized drivers be able to drive trucks and buses but I highly doubt we'd see that.

[FreeFocus]

Considering that pretty much no one should be using a phone while behind the wheel, I don't object to this. I would support a measure along the lines of what Psy suggested though.

[Psy]

Considering that pretty much no one should be using a phone while behind the wheel, I don't object to this
Well legally that would mean a trucker couldn't use a phone while stopped on the road for help since they would legally still be "behind the wheel".

I would accept restricting communications of drivers to that related to their job of driving but through a hands free set this way professional drivers can be rerouted while they are moving so you don't have for example a bus getting stuck in a accident when dispatch knows and could reroute the bus but the driver is moving so can't legally respond to dispatch till they stop and get out of the bus.

[bailey_187]

handsfree?

[Psy]

handsfree?
Yes like the hands free headsets that exist now also the technology exists to also have a one button cellphone system to call dispatch with auto pickup so whenever dispatch calls it will automatically be picked up and put them through the vehicles audio system. That way the driver can concentrate on driving while contacting or getting contacted by dispatch.

[Political_Chucky]

I never understood this type of shit. Yeah its a given people shouldn't be using their cellphones while driving, but to dictate this is ridiculous in my opinion. I mean, isn't it the same if I was to use my radio while driving, as I am looking for what station to put on, or when I change cds? Or while i'm lighting my cigerette? Fuck, why not just ban the use of anything while driving then?
I don't need a nanny state to tell me what I should and shouldn't do. And whether its the law or not, people will still do it. I text and drive all the time and I consider myself pretty good at it. Fine and lock me up then!

[human strike]

It's illegal in the UK already for anyone to drive whilst using a phone. One of the few of many laws New Labour introduced that actually doesn't appear to have been a bad idea.

I'm not sure if it's a legal requirement, but it seems all bus and coach drivers are limited to how long they can be on the road in one session. It might be a union thing but I'm pretty sure I heard it was a legal thing.

[4 Leaf Clover]

in my country , talking in phone is forbidden while you drive. same for smoking , eating etc... few days ago i find out that it is even forbidden to conversate with other passengers , but no one respects that of course

[Amphictyonis]

I think there should be a ban on the insane time limits they give the drivers. The dangerous road conditions are linked at the hip with capitalists profits.

[Rêve Rouge]

in my country , talking in phone is forbidden while you drive. same for smoking , eating etc... few days ago i find out that it is even forbidden to conversate with other passengers , but no one respects that of course

Dang...do the police force over there keep strict surveillance over the roads? How can a government expect drivers not to talk to their own passengers? That just seems absurd.

[MarxSchmarx]

I get rather annoyed at the endless complaints I hear about people talking on their cellphone while driving. It has much more to do with giving you a sense of superiority and something to whine about other people rather than improving road safety:
http://www.yukon-news.com/news/19892/
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/30/local/la-me-cellphones30-2010jan30
the evidence is starting to mount that this is a lot more about making people feel high and mighty than about anything else. Unfortunately, those kinds of things make for easy legislative victories for politicians.