In a continued effort to reduce accidents from distracted driving, the federal government has banned as of January 3, 2012, all commercial motor vehicle drivers from using hand-held mobile phones while driving.

The new rule from the Department of Transportation prohibits commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers from holding, dialing, or reaching for a hand-held mobile phone while driving, except for emergency purposes. This rule applies to buses and trucks on interstate routes.

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:

1. Has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), whichever is greater; or

2. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater; or

3. Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or

4. Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in the law....