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After texting, DOT will target other distractions

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has already declared texting while driving to be prohibited for the operators of commercial vehicles and there is a proposed rulemaking to that effect. But while that is going on, additional rules will soon be in the pipeline to target other forms of distraction such as dispatch systems and CBs.

Rose McMurray, chief safety officer for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said her agency is developing new rules that target a broader range of distractions.

“Once we issue a final rule on texting, we will be developing a second rule examining the full range of other in-vehicle distractions like dispatch systems, using CB radios, etc.,” McMurray told the National Association of Small Trucking Companies on June 11 in Hendersonville, TN.

“And hopefully develop a competent and coherent proposal that reduces risk but doesn’t unnecessarily affect the legitimate needs for communication with and by the driver.”

McMurray cited research showing that a driver sending or receiving a text message does not pay attention to the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. That’s more than enough time to encounter a hazard such as slowed or stopped traffic or a maneuver that requires quick reaction time.

“It has always been a requirement that truck drivers maintain the highest safety standards when they operate their vehicles. This includes not engaging in risky behavior, which would include not texting while driving,” McMurray said. Read her prepared remarks by clicking here .

In March, Secretary LaHood announced a proposed rule to ban texting by CMV drivers in March, declaring that violations could lead to civil penalties and fines up to $2,750. LaHood quickly followed that up with a declaration that texting was already banned under existing rules for CMV drivers. The rules apply to texting and e-mail, including the use of laptops and phones unless the driver is using hands-free technology.

OOIDA and truckers generally support rules to prohibit texting and other distractions while driving, but they want the rules to be fair and balanced.

OOIDA filed comments asking FMCSA for clarification on the use of laptops and smart phones for navigation. Many small-business truckers use laptops or phones for navigation rather than purchasing stand-alone GPS devices. The Association is also asking for analysis and clarification on the role of fleet management systems such as Qualcomm pertaining to driver distraction.

“OOIDA is concerned that the proposed rule permits the use of ‘fleet management systems’ without any analysis of what kind of distraction they impose on drivers,” OOIDA President and CEO Jim Johnston stated in the Association’s comments.

The Association has also posed concerns about driver privacy.

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