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. Read more in CNBC.
I’m all for it, should have been proposed long ago. Aren’t all vehicle operaters supposedly banned from using cellphones while driving?
yeah this is a joke. like lpd is going to issue tickets to these drivers. come on give me a break they don’t even issue tickets out to regular drivers for talking on the cell phones in lkwd. instead we issue summonses to people standing around looking for work. hmmmm, lets see what is going to kill and injure people more, immigrants standing on a sidewalk looking for work or people talking and texting while driving. maybe the cops need to stand on the sidewalks and pull people over for using their cell phones while driving. cha ching!!
Why were they exempt from the State ban in the first place? School bus drivers – who need to concentrate while transporting dozens of children? Commercial truck drivers – who are carrying disproportionately large loads that require greater stopping distances and reaction times?
Oh – I get it! The ban on drivers was enacted to raise ticket revenue – not increase public safety.
Silly me!