fleet news, vending route drivers, route delivery, cellphone use while driving, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Hazardous Materials Regulation, restrict handheld mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Transportation has amended the Federal Motor Carrier Safety and the Hazardous Materials regulations to restrict the use of handheld mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles.
The agency said the new rules, which went into effect on Jan. 3, will improve safety on the nation's highways by reducing the prevalence of distracted driving-related crashes, fatalities and injuries involving commercial vehicles.
The amended regulations also impose new "disqualification sanctions" on drivers of commercial vehicles who fail to comply and on those who have multiple convictions for violating a state or local law that restricts the use of handheld mobile telephones.
General civil penalties may be assessed against employers who require or allow their drivers to use handheld mobile telephones, too.
