Retailers may want to make note of a new national law that went into effect January 3, called the Mobile Telephone rule, which affects 4 million commercial drivers.
The law prohibits interstate truck and bus drivers from using a handheld cellphone while driving on the job. If caught, they face fines of almost $3,000 per incident and their commercial driver’s license may be revoked, in some states, after two offenses.
Also, trucking companies face fines of up to $11,000 so there’s a strong opportunity for sales of Bluetooth kits to fleet managers.
The law permits use of hands free Bluetooth devices including car kits. Specifically, the law prohibits drivers from holding a mobile phone while driving or pushing more than one button to operate the device. The same rules apply to use of push-to-talk phones under the law.
Historically, whenever a handsfree law is passed in a given state or city, Bluetooth kit sales see a surge.
Here’s more information about the new law. http://www.nd.gov/ndhp/sites/nd.gov.ndhp/files/docs/FMCSA_Cell_Phone_Restriction_FAQ.pdf
Photo credit: The FunTimesGuide.com
Source: CEoutlook
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As far as C.B. Radios go I heard they are exempt,from this New Law.
You can use your hand held mike.
Where did this information come from? I spoke with every form of local law enforcement and they have no information or knowledge of such a law.
Hi Neil.
click on the first entry on this site: http://search.google.dot.gov/FMCSA/FMCSASearchProcess.asp?ie=&site=DOT_Pages&output=xml_no_dtd&client=DOT_Pages&lr=&proxystylesheet=DOT_Pages&oe=&fmcsa_only=1&q=Mobile%20Telephone%20Rule&Image1=Go&x=42&y=13
Articles on the topic:
http://www.mnapt.org/news/234-summary-of-the-mobile-telephone-final-rule
http://sbcmag.info/news/2011/dec/new-mobile-phone-use-rules-enacted
For those with extensive experience in the hands free kit dept, is the TRUCKING environment quiet enough for a BT unit to work? I would think most of these guys will need to use some type of ear piece to hear anything reasonably or get a radio with bluetooth option where it can be piped at a high level into the speaker system. Please educate me………..