Last week, Nevada became the 34th state to ban texting and the ninth the prohibit all cell phone use while driving. This new law will take effect Jan. 1, 2012, with law enforcement issuing warnings beginning Oct. 1. Under the new law, 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. In addition, third-time offenders also can have their Continue Reading

Though many companies have written policies prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving, a recent study found that only a little more than half actually try to enforce them. Of the companies that do enforce compliance, the survey conducted by ZoomSafer, a provider of software that monitors distracted driving, found 61 percent rely on post-incident disciplinary measures, and only 2 percent use technology to measure and manage employee compliance proactively. Still, the company finds the fact that companies are concerned about safety encouraging, but to be Continue Reading

To reaffirm its stance against distracted driving, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently unveiled the latest in its “Faces of Distracted Driving” video series, which explores the tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use while driving. The video features people from across the country who have been injured or lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. In conjunction, FocusDriven, the first national nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for victims of distracted driving, launched a new 30-second PSA titled the “5500 campaign” featuring pictures of hundreds of Continue Reading

Recent revisions to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010) performance model on the surface seem kinder to larger fleets, while harsher on smaller ones. After another round of assessments with the revision, research shows that smaller fleets are at greater risk for an intervention. The largest fleets, once at 72 percent risk, now have a 42 percent chance of an intervention. But that’s not unfair Continue Reading

A stronger anti-texting law in Louisiana is garnering praise from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Beginning Aug. 15, drivers caught texting while driving can be pulled over, rather than being merely ticketed for it if pulled over for another offense. Unchanged from the state’s original 2008 ban, drivers face fines of Continue Reading