{"operation":"document","citation":"76 FR 75470","title":"Drivers of CMVs: Restricting the Use of Cellular Phones","source_type":"rulemaking","agency":"Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration","status":"historical","official":true,"published_on":"2011-12-02","effective_on":"2012-01-03","summary":"FMCSA and PHMSA are amending the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to restrict the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This rulemaking will improve safety on the Nation's highways by reducing the prevalence of distracted driving-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving drivers of CMVs. The Agencies also amend their regulations to implement new driver disqualification sanctions for drivers of CMVs who fail to comply with this Federal restriction and new driver disqualification sanctions for commercial driver's license (CDL) holders who have multiple convictions for violating a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones. Additionally, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers of CMVs to use hand-held mobile telephones.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/federal-register-2011-30749.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/federal-register-2011-30749.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/federal-register-2011-30749","source_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2011/12/02/2011-30749/drivers-of-cmvs-restricting-the-use-of-cellular-phones","body":"Federal Register, Volume 76 Issue 232 (Friday, December 2, 2011) [Federal Register Volume 76, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2011)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 75470-75488] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] [FR Doc No: 2011-30749] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 177 [Docket No. PHMSA-2010-0227(HM-256A)] RIN 2126-AB29 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 383, 384, 390, 391, and 392 [Docket No. FMCSA-2010-0096] RIN 2137-AE65 Drivers of CMVs: Restricting the Use of Cellular Phones AGENCIES: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: FMCSA and PHMSA are amending the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to restrict the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This rulemaking will improve safety on the Nation's highways by reducing the prevalence of distracted driving-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving drivers of CMVs. The Agencies also amend their regulations to implement new driver disqualification sanctions for drivers of CMVs who fail to comply with this Federal restriction and new driver disqualification sanctions for commercial driver's license (CDL) holders who have multiple convictions for violating a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones. Additionally, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers of CMVs to use hand-held mobile telephones. [[Page 75471]] DATES: This rule is effective January 3, 2012. ADDRESSES: For access to the docket to read background documents, including those referenced in this document, or to read comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time and insert ``FMCSA-2010-0096'' or ``PHMSA-2010-0227'' in the ``Keyword'' box, and then click ``Search.'' You may also view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140, DOT Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Anyone is able to search the electronic form for all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, contact Mr. Brian Routhier, Transportation Specialist, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Vehicle and Roadside Operation Division, at (202) 366-4325 or [email protected] . or contact Ben Supko, Sr. Regulations Officer, Standards and Rulemaking Division, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, at (202) 366-8553. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents for Preamble I. Abbreviations II. Background A. Rationale for the Rule B. Legal Authority III. Discussion of Comments A. FMCSA Comments B. PHMSA Comments IV. Discussion of the Rule V. Regulatory Analyses I. Abbreviations ABA American Bus Association Advocates Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety AMSA American Moving and Storage Association API American Petroleum Institute ATA American Trucking Associations, Inc. CDL Commercial Driver's License CMV Commercial Motor Vehicle DOT United States Department of Transportation EA Environmental Assessment EIS Environmental Impact Statement EOBR Electronic On-Board Recorder FCC Federal Communications Commission FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSRs Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact FR Federal Register FRA Federal Railroad Administration MCSAC Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee MCSAP Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program NAICS North American Industry Classification System NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking NSC National Safety Council NTSB National Transportation Safety Board OOIDA Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association OMB Office of Management and Budget PAR Population Attributable Risk PHMSA Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration PU Power Unit UMA United Motorcoach Association VTTI Virginia Tech Transportation Institute II. Background FMCSA--On December 21, 2010, FMCSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (75 FR 80014), proposing to restrict the use of hand-held mobile telephones by interstate CMV drivers. FMCSA received nearly 300 public comments to the NPRM. The Agency made changes to the proposed rule in response to these comments, which are described below in part IV, Discussion of the Rule. PHMSA--On April 29, 2011, PHMSA published a NPRM in the Federal Register (76 FR 23923), proposing to restrict the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of CMVs containing a quantity of hazardous materials requiring placarding under part 172 of 49 CFR or any quantity of a select agent or toxin listed in 42 CFR part 73. PHMSA received six public comments, which are also described below in part IV, Discussion of the Rule. A. Rationale for the Rule Driver distraction can be defined as the voluntary or involuntary diversion of attention from primary driving tasks due to an object, event, or person. Researchers classify distraction into several categories: visual (taking one's eyes off the road), manual (taking one's hands off the wheel), cognitive (thinking about something other than the road/driving), and auditory (listening to the radio or someone talking). Research shows that using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving may pose a higher safety risk than other activities (e.g., eating or adjusting an instrument) because it involves all four types of driver distraction. Both reaching for and dialing a hand-held mobile telephone are manual distractions and require visual distraction to complete the task; therefore, the driver may not be capable of safely operating the vehicle. Using a hand-held mobile telephone may reduce a driver's situational awareness, decision making, or performance; and it may result in a crash, near-crash, unintended lane departure by the driver, or other unsafe driving action. Indeed, research indicates that reaching for and dialing hand-held mobile telephones are sources of driver distraction that pose a specific safety risk. To address the risk associated with these activities, the Agencies restrict CMV drivers' use of hand-held mobile telephones, which includes ``using at least one hand to hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication.'' As discussed below, while operating a CMV, the driver may only use a compliant mobile telephone, such as a hands free mobile phone, to conduct a voice communication. In an effort to understand and mitigate crashes associated with driver distraction, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) conducted research concerning behavioral and vehicle safety countermeasures to driver distraction. Data from studies \\1\\ indicate that both reaching for and dialing a mobile telephone increase the odds of a CMV driver's involvement in a safety- critical event, such as a crash, near crash, or unintended lane departure.\\2\\ [[Page 75472]] The odds of being involved in a safety-critical event are three times greater when the driver is reaching for an object than when the driver is not reaching for an object. The odds of being involved in a safety- critical event are six times greater while the driver is dialing a cell phone than when the driver is not dialing a cell phone. These increases in risk are primarily attributable to the driver's eyes being off the forward roadway. Additionally, these activities have high population attributable risk (PAR) percentages. PAR percent is the percent of the drivers involved in a safety critical event that would not occur if performing the task while driving were eliminated. Tasks that are performed more frequently have a higher PAR percentage. The highest PAR percentage in the study was 7.6 percent--reaching for an object, including cell phones. Dialing a cell phone had a PAR of 2.5. Because of the data on distractions associated with the use of hand-held mobile telephones while driving \\3\\(i.e. reaching for and dialing a mobile telephone), FMCSA and PHMSA believe it is in the best interest of public safety to restrict a CMV driver's use of such devices. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\1\\ Olson, R.L., Hanowski, R.J., Hickman, J.S., & Bocanegra, J. (2009), Driver distraction in commercial vehicle operations, (Document No. FMCSA-RRR-09-042) Washington, DC: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The study is in the docket at FMCSA-2010-0096-0016. Hickman, J., Hanowski, R. & Bocanegra, J. (2010), Distraction in commercial trucks and buses: assessing prevalence and risk in conjunction with crashes and near- crashes, (Document No. FMCSA-RRR-10-049) Washington, DC: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The study is in the docket at FMCSA-2010-0096-0004. \\2\\ In popular usage, mobile telephones are often referred to as ``cell phones.'' As explained later in the final rule, a variety of different technologies are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) (47 CFR 20.3) to provide mobile telephone services; thus, the rule here would apply to the range of technologies used to provide wireless telephone communications and the rule uses the broader term ``mobile telephones.'' However, some of the materials discussed in this preamble use the popular term ``cell phone,'' and the discussion continues that usage in such cases as appropriate. \\3\\ As discussed under part II.B, the legal authority supporting the two regulatory programs of FMCSA and PHMSA differs. FMCSA's authority to adopt the FMCSRs applies to CMV drivers who operate in interstate commerce. PHMSA's authority to adopt the HMRs extends to CMV drivers who operate in intrastate commerce as well. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that one probable cause of a November 2004 bus crash was the use of a hands-free cell phone. This crash was the impetus for an NTSB investigation (NTSB/ HAR-06/04 PB2007-916201) and a subsequent recommendation to FMCSA that the Agency prohibit cell phone use by all passenger-carrying CMVs.\\4\\ FMCSA also received recommendations on cell phone use from its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC). One of MCSAC's recommendations for the National Agenda for Motor Carrier Safety was that FMCSA initiate a rulemaking to ban a driver's use of hand-held and hands-free mobile telephones while operating a CMV. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\4\\ NTSB (2006). Motorcoach collision with the Alexandria Avenue Bridge overpass, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Alexandria, Virginia, November 14, 2004 (Highway Accident Report NTSB/HAR-06/04; NTIS report number PB2007-916201). Retrieved May 16, 2011, from: http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/2006/HAR0604.pdf . --------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is not clear, however, if simply talking on a mobile telephone presents a significant risk while driving. For example, Olson, et al. (2009) detailed the risks of reaching for and dialing a phone while driving and found that ``talking or listening to a hands-free phone'' and ``talking or listening to a hand-held phone'' were relatively low- risk activities that involved only brief periods of eyes off the forward roadway. FMCSA and PHMSA determine that it is the action of taking one's eyes off the forward roadway to reach for and dial a hand- held mobile telephone \\5\\ (two high PAR activities) that has the greatest risk. The Agencies address those risky behaviors by restricting holding mobile telephones while driving a CMV. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\5\\ The concept of ``holding'' is included in our definition of ``use a hand-held mobile telephone.'' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- While no State has completely banned mobile telephone use, some States have gone further than this rule for certain categories of drivers. For example, 19 States and the District of Columbia prohibit the use of all mobile telephones while driving a school bus. Additionally, nine States and the District of Columbia have traffic laws prohibiting all motor vehicle drivers from using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving. Transit bus and motorcoach drivers are the focus of stricter mobile telephone rules in some States and local jurisdictions.\\6\\ The restriction of hand-held mobile telephone use by all CMV drivers is based on available data and in line with existing regulations that hold CMV drivers to higher standards.\\7\\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\6\\ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety list of cellphone laws. Retrieved June 20, 2011, from http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx . \\7\\ See 49 CFR 392.2, Applicable operating rules, which states that every commercial motor vehicle must be operated in accordance with the laws, ordinances, and regulations of the jurisdiction in which it is being operated. However, if a regulation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposes a higher standard of care than that law, ordinance or regulation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation must be complied with. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distracted Driving Summit The information and feedback DOT received during its first Distracted Driving Summit, held September 30-October 1, 2009, in Washington, DC, highlighted the need for action and demonstrated widespread support for a ban against texting and mobile telephone use while driving. Summit participants, who included industry representatives, safety experts, elected officials, and law enforcement, gathered to address the safety risk posed by this growing problem across all modes of surface transportation. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated: ``Keeping Americans safe is without question the Federal government's highest priority.'' The Secretary pledged to work with Congress to ensure that the issue of distracted driving would be appropriately addressed.\\8\\ At the conclusion of the Summit, the Secretary announced a series of concrete actions that the Obama Administration and DOT would be taking to address distracted driving. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\8\\ DOT (Oct. 1, 2009). U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Administration-Wide Effort to Combat Distracted Driving (DOT 156-09). Retrieved May 16, 2011, from: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot15609.htm . --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Legal Authority FMCSA The authority for this rule derives from the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984 (1984 Act), 49 U.S.C. chapter 311, and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (1986 Act), 49 U.S.C. chapter 313. The 1984 Act (Pub. L. 98-554, Title II, 98 Stat. 2832, Oct. 30, 1984) provides authority to regulate the safety of operations of CMV drivers, motor carriers, and vehicle equipment. It requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to ``prescribe regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety. The regulations shall prescribe minimum safety standards for commercial motor vehicles.'' Although this authority is very broad, the 1984 Act also includes specific requirements in 49 U.S.C. 31136(a): At a minimum, the regulations shall ensure that--(1) commercial motor vehicles are maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated safely; (2) the responsibilities imposed on operators of commercial motor vehicles do not impair their ability to operate the vehicles safely; (3) the physical condition of operators of commercial motor vehicles is adequate to enable them to operate the vehicles safely; and (4) the operation of commercial motor vehicles does not have a deleterious effect on the physical condition of the operators. This rule is based primarily on 49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(1), which requires regulations that ensure that CMVs are operated safely, and secondarily on section 31136(a)(2), to the extent that drivers' use of hand-held mobile telephones impacts their ability to operate CMVs safely. It does not address the physical condition of drivers (49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(3)), nor does it impact any physical effects caused by operating CMVs (49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(4)). The relevant provisions of the FMCSRs (49 CFR subtitle B, chapter III, subchapter B) apply to CMV drivers and employers operating CMVs included in [[Page 75473]] the statutory authority of the 1984 Act. The 1984 Act defines a CMV as a self-propelled or towed vehicle used on the highways to transport persons or property in interstate commerce; and that either: (1) Has a gross vehicle weight/gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or greater; (2) is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; (3) is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, not for compensation; or (4) is transporting any quantity of hazardous materials requiring placards to be displayed on the vehicle (49 U.S.C. 31132(1)). All drivers operating CMVs are subject to the FMCSRs, except those who are employed by Federal, State, or local governments (49 U.S.C. 31132(2)). In addition to the statutory exemption for government employees, there are several regulatory exemptions in the FMCSRs that are authorized under the 1984 Act, including, among others, one for school bus operations and one for CMVs designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver) not for direct compensation (49 CFR 390.3(f)(1) and (6)). The school bus operations exemption only applies to interstate transportation of school children and/or school personnel between home and school. This particular exemption is not based on any statutory provisions, but is instead a discretionary rule promulgated by the Agency. Therefore, FMCSA has authority to modify the exemption. Modification of the school bus operations exemption requires the Agency to find that such action ``is necessary for public safety, considering all laws of the United States and States applicable to school buses'' (former 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)(1)).\\9\\ FMCSA also has authority to modify the non-statutory exemption for small, passenger- carrying vehicles not for direct compensation, but is not required to comply with former 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) in modifying that exemption.\\10\\ FMCSA applies restrictions on hand-held mobile telephone use to both school bus operations by private operators in interstate commerce and small passenger-carrying vehicles not for direct compensation, although they will continue to be exempt from the rest of the FMCSRs. Other than transportation covered by statutory exemptions, FMCSA has authority to restrict the use of mobile telephones by drivers operating CMVs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\9\\ Former section 31136(e)(1) was amended by section 4007(c) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 403 (June 9, 1998) (TEA-21). However, TEA-21 also provides that the amendments made by section 4007(c) ``shall not apply to or otherwise affect a waiver, exemption, or pilot program in effect on the day before the date of enactment of [TEA-21] under * * * section 31136(e) of title 49, United States Code.'' (Section 4007(d), TEA-21, 112 Stat. 404 (set out as a note under 49 U.S.C. 31136)). The exemption for school bus operations in 49 CFR 390.3(f)(1) became effective on November 15, 1988, and was adopted pursuant to section 206(f) of the 1984 Act, later codified as section 31136(e) (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; General, 53 FR 18042-18043, 18053 (May 19, 1988) and section 1(e), Public Law 103-272, 108 Stat 1003 (July 5, 1994)). Therefore, any action by FMCSA affecting the school bus operations exemption would require the Agency to comply with former section 31136(e)(1). \\10\\ The exemption in 49 CFR 390.3(f)(6) was not adopted until 2003, after the enactment of TEA-21, in a final rule titled, ``Safety Requirements for Operators of Small Passenger-Carrying Commercial Motor Vehicles Used In Interstate Commerce'' (68 FR 47860, Aug. 12, 2003). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Any violation of this restriction may result in a civil penalty imposed on drivers in an amount up to $2,750; a civil penalty may be imposed on employers, who fail to require their drivers to comply with FMCSRs, in an amount up to $11,000 (49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(A), 49 CFR 386.81 and Appendix B, paragraphs (a)(3) and (4)). Disqualification of a CMV driver for violations of the Act and its regulations is also within the scope of the Agency's authority under the 1984 Act. Such disqualifications are specified by regulation for other violations (49 CFR 391.15), and were recently adopted by the Agency in its final rule prohibiting texting by CMV drivers while operating in interstate commerce (75 FR 59118, Sept. 27, 2010; 49 CFR 392.80). In summary, both a restriction on the use of hand-held mobile telephones and associated sanctions, including civil penalties and disqualifications, are authorized by statute and regulation for operators of CMVs, as defined above, in interstate commerce, with limited exceptions. But before prescribing any regulations under the 1984 Act, FMCSA must consider their costs and benefits (49 U.S.C. 31136(c)(2)(A)). See Part V, Regulatory Analysis. The 1986 Act (Title XII of Pub. L. 99-570, 100 Stat. 3207-170, Oct. 27, 1986), which authorized creation of the CDL program, is the primary basis for licensing programs for certain large CMVs. There are several key distinctions between the authority conferred under the 1984 Act and that under the 1986 Act. First, the CMV for which a CDL is required is defined under the 1986 Act, in part, as a motor vehicle operating ``in commerce,'' a term separately defined to cover broadly both interstate commerce and operations that ``affect'' interstate commerce (49 U.S.C. 31301(2) and (4)). Also under the 1986 Act, a CMV means a motor vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property that: (1) Has a gross vehicle weight/gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or greater; (2) is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver; or (3) is used to transport certain quantities of ``hazardous materials,'' as defined in 49 CFR 383.5 (49 U.S.C. 31301(4)). In addition, a provision in the FMCSRs implementing the 1986 Act recognizes that all school bus drivers (whether government employees or not) and other government employees operating vehicles requiring a CDL (i.e., vehicles above 26,000 pounds, in most States, or designed to transport 16 or more passengers) are subject to the CDL standards set forth in 49 CFR 383.3(b). There are several statutory and regulatory exceptions from the CDL requirements, which include the following individuals: military service members who operate a CMV for military purposes (a mandatory exemption for the States to follow) (49 CFR 383.3(c)); certain farmers; firefighters; CMV drivers employed by a unit of local government for the purpose of snow/ice removal; and persons operating a CMV for emergency response activities (all of which are permissive exemptions for the States to implement at their discretion) (49 CFR 383.3(d)). States may also issue certain restricted CDLs to other categories of drivers under 49 CFR 383.3(e)-(g). Drivers with restricted CDLs based on State programs may still be covered by a disqualification under the 1986 Act arising from the use of hand-held mobile telephones while operating CMVs. The 1986 Act does not expressly authorize the Agency to adopt regulations governing the safety of CMVs operated by drivers required to obtain a CDL. Most of these drivers (those involved in interstate trade, traffic, or transportation) are subject to safety regulations under the 1984 Act, as described above. The 1986 Act, however, does authorize disqualification of CDL drivers by the Secretary. It contains specific authority to disqualify CDL drivers for various types of offenses, whether those offenses occur in interstate or intrastate commerce. This authority exists even if drivers are operating a CMV illegally because they did not obtain a CDL. In general, the 1986 Act explicitly identifies several ``serious traffic violations'' as grounds for disqualification (49 U.S.C. 31301(12) and 31310). In addition to the specifically enumerated ``serious traffic violations,'' the 1986 Act provides related authority that allows FMCSA to [[Page 75474]] designate additional serious traffic violations by rulemaking if the underlying offense is based on the CDL driver committing a violation of a ``State or local law on motor vehicle traffic control'' (49 U.S.C. 31301(12)(G)). The FMCSRs state, however, that unless and until a CDL driver is convicted of the requisite number of specified offenses within a certain time frame (described below), the required disqualification may not be applied (49 CFR 383.5 (defining ``conviction'' and ``serious traffic violation'') and 383.51(c)). Under the statute, a driver who commits two serious traffic violations in a 3-year period while operating a CMV must be disqualified from operating a CMV that requires a CDL for at least 60 days (49 U.S.C. 31310(e)(1)). A driver who commits three or more serious traffic violations in a 3-year period while operating a CMV must be disqualified from operating a CMV that requires a CDL for at least 120 days (49 U.S.C. 31310(e)(2)). Because use of hand-held mobile telephones results in distracted driving and increases the risk of CMV crashes, fatalities, and injuries, FMCSA is now requiring that violations by a CDL driver of a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control that restricts the use of such mobile telephones while driving CMVs should result in a disqualification under this provision. FMCSA is authorized to carry out these statutory provisions by delegation from the Secretary as provided in 49 CFR 1.73(e) and (g). PHMSA PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety is the Federal safety authority for the transportation of hazardous materials by air, rail, highway, and water. Under the Federal hazardous materials transportation law (Federal hazmat law; 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.), the Secretary of Transportation is charged with protecting the nation against the risks to life, property, and the environment that are inherent in the commercial transportation of hazardous materials. The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR parts 171-180) are promulgated under the mandate in Section 5103(b) of Federal hazardous materials transportation law (Federal hazmat law; 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) that the Secretary of Transportation ``prescribe regulations for the safe transportation, including security, of hazardous material in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce.'' Section 5103(b)(1)(B) provides that the HMR ``shall govern safety aspects, including security, of the transportation of hazardous material the Secretary considers appropriate.'' As such, PHMSA strives to reduce the risks inherent to the transportation of hazardous materials in both intrastate and interstate commerce. This final rule is being issued under the authority in 49 CFR part 106. III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received approximately 300 comments in response to the NPRM (75 FR 80014, Dec. 21, 2010). PHMSA received 6 comments in response to its NPRM (76 FR 23923, April 29, 2011). The commenters included associations representing trucking companies, motorcoach companies, school bus operations, public transportation, highway safety, utility providers, waste haulers, concrete manufacturers, and food suppliers. In addition, the agencies received comments from the legal and law enforcement communities, as well as representatives of State governments and driver unions. Commenters from the general public included motorists concerned about their safety when driving near CMV drivers who are using mobile telephones. Overall, most commenters supported the proposal to restrict hand- held mobile telephone use because of the potential safety benefits for all vehicle and pedestrian traffic sharing the highway with CMVs. A few commenters stated that the proposal did not go far enough and that all mobile telephone use by CMV drivers should be prohibited. A few commenters opposed any restriction on the use of mobile phones. Below we summarize the comments submitted to FMCSA's NPRM at Docket FMSCA- 2010-0096, followed by a summary of the comments submitted to PHMSA's NPRM at Docket PHMSA-2010-0227. A. FMCSA Comments Hand-Held Restriction Some commenters believed that restricting hand-held mobile telephone use by drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce would impede business and require many more stops for drivers. FMCSA Response. Because drivers have other options available that do not require pulling over and stopping, FMCSA disagrees that this rule would impede business. Stops can be avoided by using technological solutions such as a hands-free mobile telephone with a speaker phone function or a wired or wireless earphone. Most mobile telephones have a speaker phone function and one-touch dialing and thus would be compliant with this rule. Additionally, the Agency estimated the minimum cost of upgrading from a non-compliant mobile telephone to a compliant one to be as low as $29.99.\\11\\ Therefore, abiding by the final rule will not create a burden on, or hardship for, CMV drivers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\11\\ Upgrading is defined as the purchase of a mobile telephone that has voice dialing and speaker phone capabilities. The average cost of the least costly compliant phone is $29.99 (with a 2-year contract). See the Regulatory Evaluation accompanying this final rule for a full explanation of this cost. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Complete Mobile Telephone Ban A few commenters, including First Group America \\12\\ and the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), thought the Agency should ban both hand-held and hands-free mobile telephone use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\12\\ A North American surface transportation provider that includes school bus and transit services, as well as Greyhound Lines, Inc. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FMCSA Response. The Agency does not believe sufficient data exist to justify a ban of both hand-held and hands-free use of mobile telephones by drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce. Based on available studies, FMCSA proposed restricting only hand-held mobile telephone use by CMV drivers. While some driving simulator-based studies found conversation to be risky, the Olson, et al. (2009) and Hickman, et al. (2010) studies found that ``talking or listening to a hands-free phone'' and ``talking or listening to a hand-held phone'' were relatively low-risk activities and had only brief periods when the drivers' eyes were off the forward roadway. It is not clear from available studies if simply talking on a mobile telephone while driving presents a significant risk. The use of a cell phone, however, involves a variety of sub-tasks, some increasing and some decreasing the odds of involvement in a safety-critical event. The Hickman, et al. (2010) study showed that reaching for a cell phone while driving increased these odds by 3.7 times. Dialing a cell phone while driving increased the odds by 3.5 times. Reaching for a headset/earpiece while driving increased the odds by 3.4 times. Talking or listening on a hands-free cell phone while driving decreased the odds by .7 times (i.e., protective effect). Talking/listening on a hand-held cell phone (odds ratios = .9) had a non-significant odds ratio (i.e., no increase or decrease in risk). Although talking on the cell phone did not show an increased risk, a driver must take several risk-increasing steps, such as reaching for and dialing the cell phone, in order to use the electronic device for conversation. Based on these studies, FMCSA determined that it is the action of taking one's eyes off the [[Page 75475]] forward roadway to reach for and dial the mobile telephone that is the highly risky activity. Therefore, because the reaching and dialing tasks are necessary to use a hand-held mobile telephone, the Agency will only restrict hand-held mobile telephone use by CMV drivers while operating in interstate commerce in this final rule. Reaching for and dialing a mobile telephone are both visual and manual distractions and reduce a driver's situational awareness; adversely impact decision making or driving performance; and result in an increased risk of a crash, near-crash, unintended lane departure by the driver, or other unsafe driving action.\\13\\ To address this risk, the Agency also restricts holding mobile telephones while driving a CMV. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \\13\\ For further discussion, see the Research section of the NPRM (75 FR 80020). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FMCSA specifically asked commenters whether some CMV drivers (for example, drivers of passenger-carrying vehicles or those carrying hazardous materials) should be more restricted in their mobile telephone use than other CMV drivers. The Agency received a few responses on this issue and those commenters believed FMCSA should treat all CMV drivers equally. Two-Way Radios and Push-to-Talk Many commenters were concerned because the proposed rule prohibited the push-to-talk function of a mobile telephone. Some drivers use this function in lieu of a two-way radio. Commenters argued that the push- to-talk function is no different than that of a two-way or CB radio, neither of which were restricted by the proposed rule. One commenter stated that some school bus drivers need to use the push-to-talk function in lieu of actual two-way radio systems because it is their only means of communication. On the other hand, the National School Transportation Association commented that it supports allowing two-way radios, instead of the push-to-talk function, as two-way radios are commonly used in school bus operations. Some specialized haulers commented that the Agency should provide a push-to-talk exception for specialized transports that use escorts in transporting certain loads (such as high weight or oversized items, often at low speed) because frequent communication is necessary between trucks and escort vehicles. The Maryland Motor Truck Association pointed out that Maryland passed a law on mobile telephone use with a push-to-talk exception. FMCSA Response. In the NPRM, the Agency defined a mobile telephone as ``a mobile communication device that falls under or uses any commercial mobile radio service, as defined in regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 47 CFR 20.3.'' FMCSA used the FCC's definition for ``mobile telephone'' in order to ensure consistency between the terms used in the FCC and FMCSA rules and to address emerging technologies. Because the push-to talk features use commercial mobile radio services to transmit and receive voice communications, the device is a mobile telephone; and it also requires the driver or user to hold it. Therefore, its use while driving a CMV is the same as that of a hand-held mobile telephone and is prohibited. The push-to-talk feature of a mobile telephone can be replaced with the use of a compliant mobile telephone, two-way radios, or walkie- talkies for the short periods of time when communication is critical for utility providers, school bus operations, or specialty haulers. The use of CB and two-way radios and other electronic devices by CMV drivers for other functions is outside the scope of consideration in this rulemaking. Dialing/Button Touches A number of commenters objected to the way the Agency used the term ``dial,'' and offered alternative suggestions. Werner Enterprises stated that the word ``dial'' used in the definition was archaic, as it could include voice or speed dialing as it is currently written. Some commenters said the Agency should differentiate between dialing and a single button push to initiate or answer a call, either on the phone or the earpiece, or to enable voice-activated dialing. ATA commented that dialing should be defined as entering a 7 to 10 digit phone number because the rule should allow the driver to use 1 or 2 button pushes to initiate a conversation. Dart Transit stated that consideration should be given to allowing limited key strokes (fewer than four over a predetermined time frame) for technological interaction. The Maryland Motor Truck Association said that the current Maryland Motor Vehicle Law allows a driver to ``initiate or terminate a wireless telephone call or to turn on or turn off the hand-held telephone.'' FMCSA Response. In the NPRM, the Agency used the word dial in a general sense to indicate the placement of a call. Although the word dial originated with rotary dial phones, FMCSA acknowledges there are very few phones that still actually have such a feature. Such devices generally do not work on today's telecommunications network because they do not generate a digital tone for each number. The term ``dial'' is commonly used to mean ``make a telephone call,'' whether the task is accomplished by entering a 7 to 11 digit phone number or by voice activation or speed dialing. The Agency does not believe it is necessary to introduce another term or create a new term in place of the word ``dial.'' Thus, FMCSA will not use alternative terminology references for this definition. If the Agency defined dial in a manner that permitted 3, 4, or even 10 touches or button presses, enforcement would be difficult. The amount of time the driver has his or her eyes off of the forward roadway is the fundamental issue, and the time required to identify and press any given number of buttons would vary from driver to driver. FMCSA, however, has added language to the regulatory text that allows the driver only minimal contact with the mobile telephone in order to conduct voice communication. A driver can initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button on a mobile telephone or on a headset. This action does not require the driver to take his or her eyes off of the forward roadway for an extended period--comparable to using vehicle controls or instrument panel functions, such as the radio or climate control system. Using a Hand-Held Mobile Telephone/Clarifying Reaching Many commenters requested that the Agency clarify the term ``reaching.'' The Owner- Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) noted that truck drivers safely reach ","truncated":true,"body_characters":126177}