A reminder that effective dates April 10, 2015, to April 15, 2015, there will be a nationwide push for enforcement on texting bans. Alert your safety-sensitive employees that they too will be watched closer during this time. This is all part of the following nationwide campaign "U Drive. U Text. U Pay."
NATIONAL TEXTING ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN TALKING POINTS
From April 10 to April 15, 2015, law enforcement personnel nationwide will be using a combination of traditional and innovative strategies to crack down on motorists who text and drive. This effort is a part of the national "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." high-visibility enforcement (HVE) campaign that combines periods of intense anti-texting enforcement coupled with advertising and media outreach to let people know about the enforcement and convince them to obey the law. "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." enforcement strategies include roving police patrols, spotters strategically located on local and state roadways, and stationary police vehicles prominently placed around communities to observe and cite violators of the law.
A further reminder that operators of Commercial Motor Vehicles are also banned from operating cell phones. On September 2010, FMCSA issued a similar 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.
Drivers who violate the new restriction will face 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.
It's not just drivers who are being affected by this new rule. 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.
Update 4/9/2015
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