Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/14583
for ways to combat distracted driv- ing, which the committee will re- port at its August meeting. The FMCSA will address other high-risk driver distractions in a no- tice-and-comment rulemaking fol- lowing the final texting rule, the MCSAC stated. The committee also has reported the agency is develop- ing a notice of proposed rulemak- ing (NPRM), to be published later this year, limiting cell use by certain commercial motor vehicle operators in interstate commerce. The FMCSA published regulatory FMCSA Eyes Other In-Truck Distractions rier Safety Administration will de- velop another rule on other in-truck distractions, such as CB radios and dispatch systems. The agency will examine “the A full range of other in-vehicle dis- tractions,” Rose McMurray, FMCSA fter a final texting rule is issued this fall, the Federal Motor Car- Webinar Speakers: Driver Shortage Could Persist MAX KVIDERA shortage is emerging, but several fac- tors are working against meeting the demand for drivers, speakers said at an online seminar, “The Emerging Driver Shortage,” June 24. Forecasting below-average eco- nomic growth of 5 percent to 6 A 14 TRUCKERS NEWS AUGUST 2010 s the economy recovers and truck freight increases, a driver percent over the next three to four quarters, Noel Perry, a senior consul- tant at transportation research firm FTR Associates, said, “We don’t have to have a wild recovery to get a driv- er shortage.” Perry and Tom Kretsinger Jr., pres- ident and chief operating officer at continued on page 77 guidance in the Federal Register Jan. 27, clarifying that interstate truck and bus driver violators of the tex- ting ban could receive a maximum penalty of $2,750. On April 1, it fol- lowed with a NPRM explicitly pro- hibiting texting and providing dis- qualification penalties. Presently, the FMCSA is develop- ing a NPRM to limit wireless tele- phone use by certain CMV interstate operators, which it will publish later this year. Twenty-eight states and the Dis- JILL DUNN chief safety officer, told the National Association of Small Trucking Com- panies in June. The goal is for a pro- posal that “reduces risk, but doesn’t unnecessarily affect the legitimate needs for communication with and by the driver.” The agency has asked its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee trict of Columbia ban texting for all drivers. Of these, 24 states and D.C. have primary enforcement, which allows law enforcement to stop and ticket offenders solely on this viola- tion. Texting bans are secondary in the remaining four states, where an officer must have another primary reason for stopping the vehicle. An additional nine states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers, ac- cording to the Governors Highway Safety Association. THIS MONTH’S WEBINAR Topic: Evaluating Prospective Carriers — This free webi- nar, which is part the How to Become an Owner-Operator series, looks at how to assess a company when shopping for a place to lease your truck. (Sponsored by Sch- neider National). Presenter: Richard Richard DeForest DeForest, ATBS vice president fleet sales When: Aug. 19 Time: 8 p.m. (CST) Registration: www. truckerweb inars.com