Randy Dellee Nelson - Comments

This rule unduly targets drivers of commercial vehicles when overwhelming evidence proves that the majority of Commercial drivers are much safer than your average driver. It also proves that most accidents involving cmv's ar not the fault of the commercial driver. I see this as another overstepping of the government into the way private business is conducted. They states the purpose of this law is safety and to reduce distractions in the cab of the truck. While IM sure that the persons supporting this rule are not drivers of cmv's, it is very important for those persons to understand that if the driver of a commercial vehicle does not have some distractions in the truck to keep him/her alert the number of accidents involving trucks will skyrocket. I believe there was a song with respect to this called white line fever. The way this suggested rule reads a driver would be restricted from even looking at a phone to see who is calling. if it actually deserves his/her attention. It will force all drivers to adopt hands free devices of which most are not suitable for in truck use due to background noise. It will also subject drivers to cost to purchase equipment compatible to meet these requirements as not all cell phones will allow you to place a call without touching the handset. I believe this rule to be unenforceable also and gives law enforcement a charge that is indefensible against as it is a he said she said charge. There's no way an officer setting in a car 3 feet from the ground can see into the cab of a truck 6 or 7 feet from the ground. I see this rule as nothing more than a cash grab from the trucking community. As there are no and i mean NO data to support these claims. The source of the data cited are generic and not specific to the trucking community and the years of experience that have proven this industry to be far safer than the average driving pubic. This rule will be challenged in court and find it lacking is sufficient data to support this finding