Prohibition on Cell Phone Use by Commercial Drivers Starts Jan. 3
Beginning on Jan. 3, operators of commercial vehicles caught using their cell phones will face fines of up to $2,750 and may risk losing their commercial driver’s license if caught more than once under a new rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The ruling comes as other federal agencies and divisions, including the National Transportation Safety Board, have begun to call for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phone by drivers of all vehicles. “When drivers of large trucks, buses, and hazardous materials take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds, the outcome can be deadly,” said DOT secretary Ray LaHood. “I hope that this rule will save lives by helping commercial drivers stay laser-focused on safety at all times while behind the wheel.”
