The NTSB recommended not allowing truck and bus drivers to use cell phones, even if hands-free technology is used, except for emergencies, at its Sept. 13 meeting.
It noted a March 2010 accident in Kentucky that left 11 dead after a truck accidently crossed Interstate 65, overriding a cable barrier system and struck a 15-passenger van. The trucker had 69 calls and text messages in the 24 hours before the accident and the last call coincided with the time the truck departed the highway.
The board recommended the Federal Highway Administration design medians to redirect or contain trucks on highways with high degrees of commercial traffic.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association stated it “does not believe a ban would improve highway safety and would rather see a mandate on training and emphasis on increasing parking.”
The American Trucking Associations advocates banning handheld mobile phone use for all drivers, but allowing hands-free cell use.
Banning cell phone use by commercial drivers has been listed before on the NTSB’s “Most Wanted List” of safety recommendations. A final rule was sent to Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation secretary, on Aug. 3. It still must clear the Office of Management and Budget before its Oct. 12 publication date.
