The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair is saying a new rule that prohibits interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones doesn't go far enough.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the new rule Dec. 23, and NTSB Chair Deborah Hersman says that while it's a "positive step forward," it doesn't go far enough.
"Given what we've seen in our accident investigations ... we think that the DOT should have gone further," Hersman said in a prepared statement. "Research shows there is no safety benefit to the use of hands-free cell phone devices. When at the wheel of a 40-ton vehicle, driving safely should be the driver's only focus."
Just as dangerous
Recent studies have indeed found that hands-free cell phones are just as distracting -- and just as dangerous -- as hand-held models.
A September 2010 study by researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) found no reductions in crashes after laws take effect that ban texting by all drivers.
"The laws aren't reducing crashes, even though we know that such laws have reduced hand-held phone use, and several studies have established that phoning while driving increases crash risk," said Adrian Lund, president of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
For example, an IIHS study that relies on driver phone records found a four-fold increase in the risk of injury crashes. A study in Canada found a four-fold increase in the risk of crashes involving property damage. Separate surveys of driver behavior before and after hand-held phone use bans show reductions in the use of such phones while driving.
Longtime concern
As early as 2006, Hersman notes, the NTSB was concerned about the impact of distracted driving on commercial drivers when it investigated a crash involving an experienced bus driver who was distracted by his hands-free cell-phone and failed to move to the center lane, striking the underside of an arched stone bridge on the George Washington Parkway in Alexandria, Virginia.
Eleven of the 27 high school students on board his bus were injured.
"As a result, we made a recommendation to prohibit the use of cell phones, hand-held or hands-free, by commercial drivers with a passenger endorsement," Hersman said.
Earlier this fall, following the investigation of a 2010 crash in Munfordville, Kentucky, a truck-tractor crossed the median of I-44 and struck a 15-passenger van killing 11 people, the NTSB called for a complete ban on the use of cell phones by all drivers holding a commercial driver's license, except in emergencies. According to interviews conducted after the crash, the truck driver normally used a hands-free device.
And just last week, said Hersman, after concluding an investigation of a highway accident that killed two and injured 38, the NTSB called on the 50 states and the District of Columbia to ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices for all drivers.
"We are witnessing a disturbing trend in accident and incident investigations -- the ever-present cell phone poses an insidious danger when it comes to cognitive distractions behind the wheel," she said.
Ray Remillard ॐ (Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:54:18 +0000): You can't regulate away stupid. You can only educate. Speaking of stupid, NTSB Chair Deborah Hersman Get out of my life! Stop trying to regulate the world to fit your fantasy. BTW, did you ever hear of prohibition? How d that work out again? Don't forget to regulate against all radios, GPS devices, and let's not forget passengers. they can be such a distraction, and if there were NO passengers in a vehicle, there would be NO fatalities. Perfect.
Maria-Angeles Rogles (Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:19:57 +0000): People that tend to get distracted, will do so for many reasons. i.e.: finding a radio station, lighting-up a cigarette, or looking for it -already lighted- because they dropped it inside the car, changing CDs, looking at passengers -instead of the road- while they talk, shaving -I've seen it!-, eating a bowl of cereal -I've seen it-, and last, BUT NOT LEAST, how about drivers with a child or a pet on their lap? In Europe, animals MUST be separated from the driver by a set of (removable) bars or a thick net, so that the animal cannot climb to the front of the car; the latter being far more dangerous than using a hand-held cell phone while driving.
Robert W Blackton Sr. (Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:45:15 +0000): ALL moving vehicles--busses, trucks Etc., should be equiped with a built in device to block all incoming & outgoing calls -with the exception of 911 calls. To be able to use your Phone or device -- the vehicle must not be moving. AKA -stopped. Get a life - save ome --the one you save my be your own. RWB
Bob Huebner (Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:21:42 +0000): As a motorcyclist I fully support a ban on use of cell phones by all drivers.
Tom Mcgovern (Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:28:01 +0000): we ban cell phones but we bomb people.we make all the rules but forget the inportant ones.
Annie Barrett (Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:54:06 +0000): I've heard of more people locally being killed last year because of the 'car drivers' texting~ Not the truck driver~ But I agree that you shouldn't use your phone while driving, unless it's an emergency~.