Headlines

It is not a simple thing for police to enforce the new federal ban on texting. The fact is, a patrolman at automobile level cannot see for sure what a driver is doing in a truck cab above him. That's only one of several concerns the enforcement community has about the guidance issued last month by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

But drivers and carriers should be aware that the policy does have teeth.

"I feel confident that should a driver have a collision involving texting, that they can expect the maximum fine the first time from FMCSA," said Capt. Dan Meyer of the Kansas Highway Patrol. "I feel 100 percent confident in that statement."

The fine can go up to $2,750, and criminal penalties can apply as well. "Texting can be a criminal violation if it precipitates a fatal or injury crash," FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro said when the ban was announced.

Carriers can expect police to subpoena a driver's cell phone to see if he was texting at the time of the crash, said Steve Keppler, interim executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which represents the enforcement community.

Read the full story at: truckinginfo.com

0 Comment(s) Post a Comment   Be the first to comment on this item.  Comment on this item: Name: Company: Email: Comment: Security Code: Reload Image Enter the text shown in the box above. Comments that include profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior such as "spamming," "trolling," or any other inappropriate material will not be posted to the site and/or will be removed from the site. You are fully responsible for the content you post. Neither the Association nor the publisher of this website, Data Key Communications, Inc, are responsible for the contents thereof or the opinions of the contributors. Contact and company information entered must be true and accurate. By submitting a comment, you agree to these terms and conditions.

More Headlines Showing Page 219 of 239 ‹‹First   ‹Previous Next›   Last›› 6/25/2009 Hazmat Fee Unchanged ...more | comments PHMSA is withdrawing its proposed increase for hazmat registration. 6/25/2009 Underwater Welding on TV ...more | comments “World’s Toughest Fixes” will showcase underwater welding on June 25. 6/24/2009 Personal Time Off ...more | comments Lawmakers are reviewing measures to give employees more time off. 6/24/2009 Feathers Storing Hydrogen ...more | comments Researchers find chicken feathers can be used to store hydrogen. 6/24/2009 Training for Shipbuilders ...more | comments A center including a welding lab to train shipbuilders is being built in MS. 6/23/2009 Mandated Ins. Coverage? ...more | comments A proposed healthcare bill would mandate employers insure employees. 6/23/2009 The Future of Chemicals ...more | comments The chemical industry has seen a rough patch, but has it seen the bottom? 6/23/2009 To Automate Or Not? ...more | comments Many factors must be considered when automating welding processes. 6/22/2009 BlackBerry Etiquette ...more | comments Should BlackBerrys and iPhones be allowed at business meetings? 6/22/2009 Combustible Dust Violations ...more | comments OSHA made 132 combustible dust hazard citations in AL in 16 months.