Distracted driving
University of Utah psychologists David Strayer and Jason Watson in a driving simulator they use to study how cellular phones and texting distract drivers. (Photo credit: Valoree Dowell, University of Utah
A study by University of Utah psychologists found that very few people can drive well while talking on a cell phone, even if they’re using a hands-free device. Jason Watson and David Strayer studied 200 people on a driving simulator. Only 2.5 percent could talk on a cell phone while operating a driving simulator without noticeable impairment.
For the complete story, see http://www.eurekalert.org/
pub_releases/2010-03/uou-fdw032610.php
Distracted driving
Guess we knew this was coming!
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes to prohibit texting by commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers while operating in interstate commerce and to impose sanctions, including civil penalties and disqualification from operating CMVs in interstate commerce, for drivers who fail to comply with this rule.
Additionally, motor carriers would be prohibited from requiring or allowing their drivers to engage in texting while driving. FMCSA also proposes amendments to its commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations to add to the list of disqualifying offenses a conviction under State or local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit texting by CDL drivers while operating a CMV, including school bus drivers.
FMCSA is inviting comments on this proposed rulemaking. Comments and related material must be received on or before May 3, 2010. Of course we’d love to see your comments on this blog. But they’ll be most effective if you submit them to the FMCSA. You may submit comments identified by docket number FMCSA-2009-0370 using any one of the following methods:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
- Fax: 202-493-2251.
- Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. - Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
If you have questions about this proposed rule, contact Mr. Brian Routhier, Transportation Specialist, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Vehicle and Roadside Operation Division, at 202-366-1225 or Brian.Routhier@dot.gov.
Distracted driving
U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced federal guidance to expressly prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is effective immediately and is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Department to combat distracted driving since the Secretary convened a national summit on the issue last September. The regulatory guidance on today’s announcement will be on public display in the Federal Register January 26 and will appear in print in the Federal Register on January 27.
Distracted driving
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and National Safety Council President Janet Froetscher announced the creation of FocusDriven, the first national nonprofit organization devoted specifically to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. The group is led by Jennifer Smith, who has been an outspoken advocate against distracted driving since her mother was killed by someone talking on his cell phone while driving in 2008. FocusDriven is a direct outgrowth of the September 2009 national Distracted Driving Summit in Washington called by Secretary LaHood. Learn more at the nonprofit’s Web site, http://www.focusdriven.org/index.aspx/.
And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a Web site to promote cell-phone free driving. Visit http://www.distraction. gov/
New year’s resolutions
Made your new year’s resolutions yet? If you need inspiration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials has announced its Top Ten issues for 2010. They are:
- Adopting a long-term transportation funding bill
- Adopting a New Jobs Creation bill
- Deterring Distracted Driving
- Ensuring Safer Roads
- Moving on High-Speed Rail Grants
- Taking Action to Address Climate Change
- Responding to Increased Congestion Due to Capacity Issues
- Adopting Social Media to Provide the Latest Traffic and Travel Information
- Enhancing Safety through Roadway Improvements and Development of “Breakthrough” Technologies Such as IntelliDrive
- Creating more livable communities
For details, visit http://news.transportation.org/press_release. aspx?Action=ViewNews&NewsID=278
