Rosco Dual-Vision™ Recording Camera System Assists Fleet Managers in Complying with Final Rule Banning Hand-Held Cell Phone Use

On November 23, 2011, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the long-awaited joint final rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The latest action by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving prohibits interstate commercial truck and bus drivers from using handheld cell phones while operating their vehicles.

Drivers who violate the restriction will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver’s commercial driver’s license after two or more serious traffic violations. Commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use handheld cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000.

With the Final Rule’s emphasis on employer liability and fines, the Rosco Dual-Vision™ Continuous Dual Video Recording System is ideal for commercial truck and bus fleet managers to train, change driver behavior, and guard against such fines. The low-cost device mounts to any windshield and records video data from one camera facing forward and the second facing the driver.

Nearly 5,474 people died, and a half million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2009. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research, distraction-related fatalities represented 16% of overall traffic fatalities in 2009.