Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Touts success of last four years in letter to U.S. DOT employees.

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo joined Union Pacific, senior railroad industry leaders and labor officials at a kick-off event to highlight the dangers of using electronic devices on the job.

The decision, which was made during a Commission meeting last Thursday, also requires the installation of cameras to enforce the rule.

Integrates fleet management technologies with ZoomSafer’s FleetSafer policy management tools to help customers manage employee cell phone use while driving.

Two pilot projects measured the effect of increased law enforcement coupled with high-profile public education campaigns. In Syracuse, N.Y., because of high-visibility enforcement, both handheld cell phone use and texting behind the wheel declined by one-third. In Hartford, Conn., there was a 57 percent drop in handheld use and texting behind the wheel dropped by nearly three-quarters.

The new law, which becomes effective on January 1, 2012, makes it illegal to text or talk on a hand-held cell phone while driving. Violators face a fine of up to $100 for the first offense; up to $200 for the second offense; and up to $250 for the third offense.

With the addition, 33 states, the District of Columbia and Guam have now banned text messaging by all drivers. Eight states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have prohibited all hand-held cell phone use while driving.

Joined by family members of distracted driving victims, including FocusDriven President Jennifer Smith, and representatives from Safeway and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, Secretary LaHood unveiled a number of new public education initiatives and discussed the important leadership role businesses play in promoting safe driving behavior.

While handheld cell use is the most commonly identified risky distraction, eating and/or drinking while driving is not far behind. In fact, drivers involved in one or more collisions are 1.8 times more likely to regularly eat or drink while driving.

Aiden Quinn, who admitted to texting his girlfriend before his Green Line car smashed into another car in 2009, pleaded guilty to a charge of negligence by a person in control of a train. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service.