Author	[Modern View]
John in La 12-19-2011 19:35:24 70.156.103.59 Report to Moderator	I wonder how long it will take (if ever) for them to make this the law for all drivers?? U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a final rule specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles. 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. The States have three years to implement by State law the disqualification provision for intrastate drivers. Q: What is the effective date of the Mobile Telephone rule? A: The effective date of the rule is January 3, 2012. Q: Are wired or wireless earpieces allowed? A: Yes. Q: Is Push-to-Talk allowed? A: No Q: Is dialing a phone number allowed under this rule? A: No. Q: Can a driver reach for a mobile telephone even if he/she intends to use the hands-free function? A: No Final Rule That Bans Hand Held Cell Phone Use [Reply]   [No Email]
Ralph Bauer 01-03-2012 18:12:07 75.107.19.224 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   Just wondering if those rules will apply to troopers and other law enforcement as well.... I "never" see them doing it (and also swerving all over the place....)! Or pulling out in front of you....! Just rambling. Ralph. [Reply]  [No Email]
scotc 12-24-2011 05:01:29 75.221.111.173 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   You can use a hands-free device, but you can't dial the call? Well that just makes a ton of sense. I've been out in the middle of BFE on the phone being talked into a place. Been in town like that too. Thing is, you don't have to have it to your ear the whole time. Every cell I've had had a speakerphone built in. Yet another reason I am no longer driving for a living. I started saying it was getting too regulated years ago, when they took ALL the flexibility out of the hours of service. [Reply]  [No Email]
rustyfarmall 12-23-2011 07:31:41 216.248.71.224 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to caterpillar guy, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   Get out of bed a little sooner and put on your make-up and get the shaving done BEFORE you leave home. If the kid needs their diaper changed, that's what rest areas are for. If it is YOU that needs a diaper change, then maybe you are'nt old enough to be driving in the first place? [Reply]  [No Email]
farmer boy 12-21-2011 13:02:42 66.209.54.106 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   They already have laws in place in Ontario. No cell phones, no mp3. There is currently a grace period on cb's and a few other devices. Not sure on dialing numbers and picking up a call. The fine is only $155 with no points and no insurance repercusions [Reply]  [No Email]
rustyfarmall 12-21-2011 08:00:44 216.248.71.224 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to 4010 puller, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   Obviously the fact that driving IS a full time job and requires your undivided attention is NOT being taught in drivers education anymore. I would like to see an electronic device built into every car and truck that automatically disables a cell phone as soon as the transmission is taken out of park. [Reply]  [No Email]
jddriver 12-23-2011 05:51:00 108.79.58.170 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to rustyfarmall, 12-21-2011 08:00:44   what about make up ,shaving ,changing diapers ,eating ,talking to passengers,scenery,kids.This reaches too far the govt is already too big.I think if you are advocating for this you will soon be comfortable in a glass bubble [Reply]  [No Email]
mkirsch 12-21-2011 05:46:08 64.80.110.74 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   Just like the hands-free laws, a no-cell-phones-period law will quietly be passed in the background while nobody is looking. The first you'll hear of it is a month or so before it takes effect, and by then it will be too late. Nobody will take credit for the law and nobody will ever know who sponsored it, because they know it will be unpopular. How do you enforce it? Is that guy talking on the phone or singing along with the radio or practicing a speech or talking to a small child in the back seat? Even with the laws we have, people STILL talk on their cell phones all the time and cause all sorts of havoc, yet never get busted. When they do get busted, half the time they are legitimately surprised that it's illegal! You're never going to get the stupid and ignorant to comply no matter what you do. [Reply]  [No Email]
B-maniac 12-20-2011 19:56:22 207.241.137.116 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   I guess in this day of liberalism we all forget that driving a vehicle on a public road is still a "privelege" and not a "right" and as such comes with certain requirements to protect others on the road with you from you. Why do we have to stop at a stop sign out in bum-f if there is not another car in sight? Why no crying about the window tint laws?And the poster below stated a very valid point about the "nessessity" of cell phones or other "entertainment " devices....what did you do before they were here??? Must have just been torture to even drive! I don't like "Big Brother" butting in either but since humans are incapable of policing theirselves , it's better than dieing at the hands of an idiot. I can handle 6 beers without feeling it so don't tell me I can't drive afterwords. [Reply]  [No Email]
rustyfarmall 12-20-2011 07:14:12 216.248.71.224 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to Dennis Benson, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Only when the driver and other occupant are both blonds. :lol: :D [Reply]  [No Email]
Shetland Sheepdog 12-20-2011 05:20:29 72.71.209.231 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to Nils Rittweger, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   "Just read that wireless are just as bad---etc" Are they also going to ban conversation with other occupants of a vehicle? Just wondering --- [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 12-20-2011 16:33:44 107.41.196.198 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to Shetland Sheepdog, 12-20-2011 05:20:29   I'd be all for bluetooth / handfree com in an auto.. but if they ban that.. then yeah.. they might as well just ban talking or listening to the radio... latest witch hunt to solve a different problem... [Reply]  [No Email]
John730D 12-20-2011 04:18:43 208.73.228.5 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   That is why I have bluetooth in my CB radio. And it is not a push to talk. Just looks like I am talking on the CB. And I am a semi driver. [Reply]  [No Email]
casenut1 12-19-2011 22:29:03 107.8.39.45 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   just read an article that wireless ones are just as bad.they distract the mind from driving as you are concentrating on the conversation. [Reply]  [No Email]
John in La 12-19-2011 20:14:39 70.156.103.59 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   Here is the long winded version of the rule. 66 pages long 49 CFR Parts 177, 383, 384, 390, 391, and 392 [Reply]  [No Email]
ShadetreeRet 12-19-2011 19:58:43 184.2.210.187 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   Hmmmm, I hate to put ideas into anyone's head, but wonder if they're gonna ban CB radios too? [Reply]  [No Email]
John in La 12-19-2011 20:02:46 70.156.103.59 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to ShadetreeRet, 12-19-2011 19:58:43   No It is in the rule already. [Reply]  [No Email]
ShadetreeRet 12-19-2011 19:54:48 184.2.210.187 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to John in La, 12-19-2011 19:35:24   I know banning all drivers has been mentioned. I heard one comment that he couldn't conduct business without a cell phone in his car. Question, How did he conduct business before the cell phone? (Well, maybe he isn't that old.) [Reply]  [No Email]
John in La 12-19-2011 20:04:35 70.156.103.59 Report to Moderator	Re: New cell phone rules in reply to ShadetreeRet, 12-19-2011 19:54:48   Banning all drivers would be political suicide. It will never happen. [Reply]  [No Email]