US proposes cellphone ban for truck drivers

Poll

Should cell phones be banned for truck drivers?

I think that cell phones shouldn't be banned for truck and bus drivers. I don't think we should descriminate against someone just because they drive a truck. However, I believe that the trucking companies should be allowed to decide whether or not they want to permit their truckers to use cell phones while driving or not.

WASHINGTON - 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.

Nearly 5,000 people were killed and another 500,000 were hurt in crashes of all vehicles involving a distracted driver in 2009, government safety figures show.

Inattention was a factor in 9 percent of large truck crashes, which fell overall in 2009 from the previous year. Most truck crashes involve collisions with other vehicles.

Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/id/40724585

Reply 1

Kiwiguy

so you want a red neck driving a 20 tonne lorry whilst chatting to his mates? :lolwut:

Reply 2

lyrical_lie

Using your mobile is already banned in the U.K. -whilst driving I mean.-

Reply 3

Mad Vlad

Original post by SaturnVengeance

In the same way that perhaps we should let companies decide whether or not they want to permit their truckers drink while driving or not?

It's a prohibition measure that's clearly in the public interest and it's been proven that using a mobile phone while driving is distracting and increases the likelihood of you having an accident. I can't see an argument against providing they allow for hands-free usage.

Reply 4

limetang

No a ban should be for all drivers. When you're driving that is all you should be concentrating on. It isn't the time to be mulititasking when you are hauling hundreds of kilo's of metal around.

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