Electric Co-op Today

Federal regulators have clarified the equipment covered by their recent ban on the use of hand-held mobile telephones by the drivers of vehicles owned by electric cooperatives and other utilities.

Drivers of co-op vehicles may use push-to-talk mobile phones under certain circumstances, federal regulators clarified. (Photo By: sjlocke)

These drivers—in fact, all commercial motor vehicle operators—can use push-to-talk mobile phones while behind the wheel, provided they do not “reach for, dial, or hold the actual mobile telephone … while driving,” according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The driver must be able to touch the button needed to operate the push-to-talk feature from the normal seated position with their safety belt fastened, the agency added.

According to Martha Duggan, NRECA senior principal, regulatory affairs, the safety agency has advised its field personnel, and enforcement agencies, that use of push-to-talk mobile phones is allowed under these circumstances.

“We applaud the FMCSA administrator and staff for their responsiveness in providing long-term clarity on this issue,” she added.

The agency had turned down a request by NRECA to exempt electric co-ops from its mobile phone rule through an emergency services exemption.

The DOT rule does not require motor carriers to establish written policies in terms of company policy or training programs for their drivers. However, the carrier—in this case, the co-op—is responsible for its drivers’ conduct.

The cell phone ban, which became effective Jan. 3, aims at improving highway safety by reducing distracted driving-related accidents involving drivers of commercial motor vehicles, the motor safety unit noted.

But the permissible action “does not require drivers to take their eyes off the forward roadway,” the agency said, “because the button used to enable the driver to communicate can be operated from the normal seated position.”

“For example, if the mobile phone is mounted in a cradle or similar device near the driver, or there is a remote push-to-talk button near the vehicle controls,” the driver can use the equipment without the distraction-producing efforts targeted by the rule, it said.

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Tags: Business and Finance, Safety