Risky Business
Top 10 reported excuses for using a handheld device
Hi Everyone,
I'm sure you all know that e ffective, January 3, 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (“FMCSRâ€) now prohibits drivers from using hand-held mobile phones while operating a commercial truck or bus.
Violations of the rule can result in fines of up to $2,750 to drivers and $11,000 to motor carriers. Habitually offending drivers of this new rule can be disqualified from operating a CMV.
The Agencies also amend their regulations to implement new driver disqualification sanctions for drivers of CMVs who fail to comply with this Federal restriction and new driver disqualification sanctions for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders who have multiple convictions for violating a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones. Additionally, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers of CMVs to use hand-held mobile telephones.
...But bet you DON'T know the Top 10 EXCUSES the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia compiled when their law went into effect. This is what local drivers said when caught using handheld phone devices while driving:
1. This is a bogus law
2. It was my boss on the phone...I HAD to answer it
3. I wasn't using it --- I just like to hold it
4. Sorry officer, I didn't see you trying to pull me
over because I was on my phone
5. But it was an emergency call to my wife/husband
6. My Bluetooth died
7. Driver: I'm using my speakerphone
Police Officer: No, you're holding your phone in one hand and
steering with the other
8. I'm not driving ---- I was stopped at a red light
9. I wasn't talking ---- I was checking my messages
10. I was just checking the time
...So I'm counting on my fellow Americans to come up with better excuses than our neighbors to the North! LOL
Warm Regards,
Shelly Benisch, CIC
[email protected] www.MyCISagent.com
Commercial Insurance Solutions, Inc. (CIS)