The DOT announced in early December a final rule banning interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles, which goes into effect Jan. 3, 2012.

Commercial drivers reaching for an object, such as a cell phone, are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event. Dialing a hand-held cell phones makes it six times more likely that commercial drivers will be involved in an accident.

• "Driving" is defined as operating a CMV on a highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, while at a stoplight or other momentary delays. "Driving" does not include when the driver has moved the vehicle to the side of or off of a highway and has stopped in a location that is safe to remain stationary.
• An exception to the general prohibition included in the ruling is that CMV drivers are allowed to use a hand-held mobile phone when necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services, such as to report an accident or drunk driver.
• The use of two-way or Citizens Band (CB) radios is still allowed.

Penalties for breaking this rule include a federal civil penalty of up to $2,750 per offense for the driver, driver disqualification from operating a CMV for multiple offenses, and a penalty of up to $11,000 for commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phone while driving.

Click here for a list of cell phone use laws by state.

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