Safety Advisory Notice: Personal Electronic Device Related Distractions, 45697 [2010-18944]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 148 / Tuesday, August 3, 2010 / Notices also recommends that operators provide guidance and training for all personnel about the risks associated with the use of PEDs while driving, and while performing activities on behalf of the company if that use poses a risk to safety. erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Advisory Bulletin (ADB–10–06) To: Owners and Operators of Hazardous Liquid and Natural Gas Pipeline Systems. Subject: Personal Electronic Device (PED) Related Distractions. Advisory: As with other modes of transportation, PHMSA recognizes the use of PEDs by pipeline employees who are performing operations and maintenance activities may increase safety risks if those individuals become distracted. In furtherance of the Department’s effort to end the dangerous practice of distractions caused by PEDs throughout the various modes of transportation, PHMSA is issuing this Advisory Bulletin about the potential for distractions affecting pipeline safety. PHMSA reminds owners and operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities that there may be increased risks associated with the use of PEDs by individuals performing activities that affect pipeline operation or integrity. Pipeline operations and maintenance tasks require a critical level of attention and skill, which may be compromised by visual, manual, and cognitive distractions caused by the use of PEDs. Such distractions may also hinder their prompt recognition and reaction to abnormal operating conditions and emergencies. Owners and operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities should integrate into their written procedures for operations and maintenance appropriate controls regarding the personal use of PEDs by individuals performing pipeline tasks that may affect the operation or integrity of a pipeline. PHMSA is not discouraging the use of PEDs as a part of normal business operations. Owners and operators should also provide guidance and training for all personnel about the risks associated with the use of PEDs while driving and while performing activities on behalf of the company if that use poses a risk to safety. Issued in Washington, DC, on July 27, 2010. Jeffrey D. Wiese, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 2010–18947 Filed 8–2–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:41 Aug 02, 2010 Jkt 220001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Docket No. PHMSA–2010–0202; Notice No. 10–5] Safety Advisory Notice: Personal Electronic Device Related Distractions Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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 https:// www.distractions.gov. Information about PHMSA may be found at https:// phmsa.dot.gov. SUMMARY: Research conducted by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and other governmental and nongovernmental 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, https:// www.distractions.gov; see also Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Web site, https://www.iihs.org/. PHMSA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety is the Federal safety authority for the transportation of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45697 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 TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as Amended by Public Law 104–13; Proposed Collection, Comment Request Tennessee Valley Authority. Proposed collection; comment AGENCY: ACTION: request. The proposed information collection described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 45697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18944]


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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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 https://www.distractions.gov. Information about PHMSA 
may be found at https://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, https://www.distractions.gov; see also 
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Web site, https://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
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