
[Federal Register: August 3, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 148)]
[Notices]               
[Page 45697]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03au10-141]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Docket No. PHMSA-2010-0202; Notice No. 10-5]

 
Safety Advisory Notice: Personal Electronic Device Related 
Distractions

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); 
DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing a safety advisory notice to remind offerors 
and carriers of hazardous materials of the risks associated with the 
use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) by individuals operating 
motor vehicles that contain hazardous materials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stuart Streck by telephone at (404) 
832-1140 or by e-mail at stuart.streck@dot.gov. General information 
about the Department of Transportation initiative on distracted driving 
may be found at http://www.distractions.gov. Information about PHMSA 
may be found at http://phmsa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Research conducted by the United States 
Department of Transportation (DOT) and other governmental and non-
governmental organizations has shown the danger posed by drivers who 
are distracted by cellular telephones and other PEDs. For example, 
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted a study under contract 
with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) entitled 
``Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations.'' The final 
report, released on October 1, 2009, found that text messaging on a 
cellular telephone increased the risk of a safety-critical event by 
23.2 percent.
    The DOT is leading the effort to end the dangerous practice of 
distracted driving on our nation's roadways and in other modes of 
transportation. The FMCSA recently initiated a rulemaking designed to 
prohibit texting by commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers operating in 
interstate commerce and to impose sanctions for drivers who fail to 
comply. See Limiting the Use of Wireless Communication Devices, 75 FR 
16391 (proposed Apr. 1, 2010). The majority of the 50 states have 
forbidden the operation of PEDs while driving any motor vehicle. See 
DOT Distracted Driving Web site, http://www.distractions.gov; see also 
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Web site, http://www.iihs.org/.
    PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety is the Federal safety 
authority for the transportation of hazardous materials by air, rail, 
highway, and water. Safety is at the core of PHMSA's mission. PHMSA 
strives to reduce the risk of harm from the transportation of hazardous 
materials. In light of PHMSA's vital safety mission, we issue this 
advisory bulletin to raise awareness of the problems and dangers 
presented by the use of PEDs by hazardous materials drivers.
    Operators of vehicles transporting hazardous materials should guard 
against distraction, including the use of PEDs while operating a 
vehicle. All CMV drivers transporting hazardous materials should be 
aware that the use of a PED while driving constitutes a safety risk to 
themselves, other motorists, and bystanders. The consequences of using 
PEDs while driving can include state and local sanctions, FMCSA fines, 
and possible revocation of commercial driver's licenses.
    In addition, businesses that prepare or transport hazardous 
materials in commerce should be aware that the dangers of distracted 
driving are heightened due to the risk of the release of hazardous 
materials in the event of an accident. Accordingly, hazardous materials 
companies should institute policies and provide awareness training to 
discourage the use of PEDs by drivers. PHMSA recognizes that there are 
already members of the hazardous materials transportation community 
with policies in place that exceed the legal requirements for curbing 
the risk of distracted driving. PHMSA applauds these and all other 
efforts to enhance the safety of hazardous materials transportation.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 27, 2010.
 Magdy El-Sibaie,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 2010-18944 Filed 8-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P

