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New federal DOT regulations for small passenger-carrying motor carriers |
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On June 1, 2010 new federal regulations go in to effect for small passenger-carrying motor carriers transporting between nine and 15 passengers, including the driver.
Highlights of the new regulations:
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Carriers are subject to compliance reviews and safety ratings
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Seatbelt usage is required
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Medical examinations are required for new driver applicants
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Texting on cell phones while driving is banned
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Maintenance inspection and repair intervals are required
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Limits on how long a commercial driver may drive have been established
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Carriers are required to comply with fleet inspection, repair and maintenance inspections
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced these new regulations in February 2010.
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| How much could a call or text really cost one of your clients? |
In the retail industry, vehicles accidents are sometimes ignored or assumed to be an insignificant exposure. There are, however, some alarming statistics, such as:
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Distracted driving is now the No. 1 safety concern of the American driving public.
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A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute 100 - Car Naturalistic Study stated that drivers who "Drive While Texting" (DWT) were 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.
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The annual cost of crashes caused by cell phone use is estimated to be $43 billion.
To help reduce the cell phone risk, a company's first step is to create and implement strong policies and procedures that discourage cell phone use and texting. Sample language for a "Distracted driving policy" is included in this Retail safety solutions newsletter provided by Zurich. This document is available for distribution to your clients.
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