In another step to curb distracted driving, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced a final rule specifically prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones by interstate truck and bus drivers while behind the wheel.

The rule, issued jointly by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is meant to reduce the dangers of distracted driving among commercial drivers, and sets federal civil penalties as high as $2,750 for each violation.

They may also be subject to license suspension or disqualification from driving commercial motor vehicles, and companies allowing the behavior may be fined as well under the rule.

"It's just too dangerous for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game when operating on our roads. Lives are at stake," said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro.

According to the FMCSA, commercial drivers who are reaching for a hand-held phone or similar object are more than three times as likely to be involved in a crash as those that are not. Dialing such phones increases the risk of a crash still further.

The rule does not prohibit the use of hands-free cellphones. Compliance may not be an issue for some companies, since many commercial bus and truck businesses already ban hand-held cell phone use as company policy. If successful, this policy might improve safety and reduce auto insurance rates for businesses and private individuals.