The proposal would make an exception for drivers who use a “hands-free” device to make calls. Drivers would be allowed to make calls that use a single button to dial and speakerphone functions.

It also contains an exception for emergencies. Drivers claiming an emergency would have to appear in court to offer proof.

The bill narrowly passed 62-53 and moves to the Senate.

Using a cell phone while driving would be a moving violation, like a speeding ticket. Three moving violations in a year and drivers can lose their license.

Critics said the bill puts unnecessary restrictions on drivers, especially in areas where a driver may not see another car for miles.

Rep. Richard Morthland (R-Moline) said the bill would be a “blight” against Illinois, increasing its reputation as a “nanny state trying to overregulate the lives of its citizens.”

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) said he shares some of those concerns.

“In my gut, this bill troubles me. It makes me feel somewhat that we’re being a nanny overseeing everything that a driver tries to do,” Harris said.

Despite his reservations, he said the measure is necessary to keep motorists from being distracted and endangering themselves and others on the road. Harris said the state ban would have “more teeth” than a similar ordinance in Chicago that carries a $100 penalty.

The bill would not apply to police officers or truckers using CB radios.

One such product, called CellControl, can control up to six cellphones. Parents who purchased the product say they are comforted by the fact that they can control their children’s cellphone use while driving, especially since, according to surveys,  nearly half of all young drivers use their cellphones to surf the Internet and a third use them to access social networking sites.

However, CellControl isn’t the only product available to parents looking to keep their young driver (and other road users) safe on the road. Product offerings from iZup, Zoomsafer and others offer technology that prevents or helps to control cellphone use while driving.

Parents aren’t the only ones worried about their drivers on the road. In fact, corporate fleet managers are increasingly turning to technology to prevent their employees/drivers from using their cellphones while driving.
Recent federal regulations that took effect on January 1 will impose fines for commercial truck and bus drivers up to $2,750 each time they’re caught using a cellphone while driving, and companies are becoming more aware of their obligations and responsibilities when it comes to employee safety and accident/damage liability.

It seems that parents and companies responsible for drivers are taking the position that technology got us into the problem of distracted driving in the first place, but it can also get us out.

We had a great time and look forward to helping again in 2012.

Happy New Year

Earlier this month, Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, announced a final rule specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held mobile telephones while operating their commercial vehicles. The joint rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the latest action by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving.

In regards to employer liability, carriers are responsible for the actions of their employees and will generally be held accountable (with a maximum penalty of $11,000) for handheld violations that take place when drivers are performing company business or acting on the company’s behalf. Simply having a written company policy is not deemed a method of enforcement, and that if a violation occurs, the employer is still accountable.

“The Hands Free Company can help companies stay in compliance by installing various solutions into vehicles that allow drivers to talk without using hand-held mobile devices” said Hands Free Director Mike Lampe.  “We understand the importance of maintaining communication while driving during business hours and our solutions offer a safer way to keep the communication lines open.  We hope this new regulation will bring awareness to the dangers of using hand-held devices while driving and provide companies and drivers a safer solution.”

The Hands Free Company, a national leader for fleet communications, driver safety and vehicle installations, helps transportation companies conform to this new policy and minimize the liability. Handsfree kits, fixed vehicle (cab) phones, and technology to shut down mobile devices while driving are a few solutions offered by The Hands Free Company. For a complete list of products and services, use the menu on the left.

For more information about The Hands Free Company, contact one of our experts at sales@handsfree.us.com or 888-999-3135.

View the final hand-held cell phone ban rule.

For the full article please click on the link.

Interstate truck drivers face cellphone ban on Jan. 3.

At the same time, we are urging people to travel safely during this period and to continue to do so throughout next year. This is a key message for managers in organisations as well as for people travelling. Particularly for managers, it is important not leave yourself open to any liability issues should anything go wrong – such as an employee being involved in a collision or worse on the way home from a Christmas party.

Our safe travelling tips for the festive party and the remainder of the holiday season include:

1. If you are going to or organising a Christmas party, think about how you and your invitees will travel. If you plan to drink or provide alcohol, make arrangements in advance for non-drinking ‘designated drivers’ and hire minibuses, taxis or limousines for the end of the event.
2. Look out for each other. Try to speak to each of your guests before they leave the party. Trust your instincts – if you think someone is ill-equipped to drive, call them a cab, arrange a ride with a sober friend, or encourage them to stay over.
3. Don’t get behind the steering wheel if you’ve had ANY alcohol. Call a taxi or get a lift with someone else who has not been drinking. Remember there is nothing that sobers you up so quickly as realising that you’ve run someone over or are pulled over by the police.
4. Ensure that anyone travelling to work the next day is aware of the ‘morning after’ effect.

We are especially keen that colleagues and their families are vigilant when driving the morning after a night out. It takes hours for alcohol to leave the body and drivers can unwittingly be over the limit as they drive to school or work the next day. In fact, Police data suggests that nearly one in five drink-drive or driving under the influence offences are committed by people driving to work still over the limit the morning after – with a drink-drive conviction often resulting in a driving ban, serious fine and in the worst cases a prison sentence.

Dr Will Murray, Research Director at Interactive Driving Systems said: “It is absolutely essential that people do not drink and drive. Even just below the typical legal limit in many countries of 0.05 blood alcohol content, drivers are three times more likely to crash than if they have not taken any alcohol. All employers should specifically raise awareness of drink-driving, including the morning-after effect, at this time of year.”

As you can imagine, the last thing that anyone wants to do is discourage people from having a fun time at Christmas and during the holidays. As a responsible employer, however, we have a duty of care to ensure that our people return safely after the holiday period.

Please avoid being a TURKEY this festive season – ensure that you, your family and colleagues travel legally and safely!

Have a HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
The Handsfree Team

Source : Interactive Driving Systems

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“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 Transportation 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.”

The final rule prohibits commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial truck or bus. Drivers who violate the restriction will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations. Commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000. Approximately four million commercial drivers would be affected by this final rule.

“This final rule represents a giant leap for safety,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “It’s just too dangerous for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game when operating on our roads. Lives are at stake.”

While driver distraction studies have produced mixed results, FMCSA research shows that using a hand-held cell phone while driving requires a commercial driver to take several risky steps beyond what is required for using a hands-free mobile phone, including searching and reaching for the phone. Commercial drivers reaching for an object, such as a cell phone, are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event. Dialing a hand-held cell phone makes it six times more likely that commercial drivers will be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event.

In September 2010, FMCSA issued a regulation banning text messaging while operating a commercial truck or bus and PHMSA followed with a companion regulation in February 2011, banning texting by intrastate hazardous materials drivers.

“Needless injuries and deaths happen when people are distracted behind the wheel,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman. “Our final rule would improve safety and reduce risks of hazmat in transportation.”

Nearly 5474 people died and half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2009. Distraction-related fatalities represented 16 percent of overall traffic fatalities in 2009, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research.

Many of the largest truck and bus companies, such as UPS, Covenant Transport, Wal-Mart, Peter Pan and Greyhound already have company policies in place banning their drivers from using hand-held phones.

View the final hand-held cell phone ban rule.

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Transportation’s efforts to stop distracted driving, please visit http://www.distraction.gov

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