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Federal
Register
March
1, 2002
Volume
67, Number 41
Notices - Page 9453-9454
GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION
Motor Vehicle
Management
This notice contains
GSA Bulletin FMR B-2 which addresses the use of hand-held wireless phones while
driving motor vehicles owned or
leased by the Federal government. The text of the bulletin
follows:
To: Heads of Federal
Agencies.
Subject: Use of Hand-held Wireless Phones
while Driving Motor Vehicles Owned or Leased by the Federal Government.
1. What Is the Purpose of This Bulletin?
This bulletin provides
guidance to Federal agencies concerning the use of hand-held wireless phones
while driving motor vehicles owned or leased by the Federal government.
2. What Is the Effective Date of This Bulletin?
This bulletin is
effective March 1, 2002.
3. When Does This Bulletin Expire?
This bulletin will
remain in effect until specifically cancelled.
4. What Is the Background?
a. Over 110 million
people use wireless phones in the United States. A recent National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
survey found that 54 percent of motor vehicle drivers in the
United States usually have a wireless phone in their vehicle. Federal and
State policymakers have been weighing the benefits of wireless
phone use in vehicles against the growing evidence of their potential to
increase driver distraction and the risks to safety. The recent
ban of hand-held wireless phones while driving in New York State and pending
legislation in at least 27 other states has received significant
publicity in 2001. In addition, 23 countries now restrict or prohibit
wireless phones in motor vehicles.
b. It is appropriate
that the Federal government assume a leadership role in promoting the safe use
of wireless telephones by its
employees when they are engaged in official Government business.
Accordingly, Federal agencies should address the issue of wireless
phone use in their internal policies. Additionally, many agencies
have requested guidance from the General Services Administration's Office of
Governmentwide Policy (OGP), Federal Vehicle Policy Division on wireless phone
use in government owned and leased vehicles.
5. What Is the Recommended Policy We Should Follow When Issuing
Guidance on the Use of Wireless Phones While Driving Motor Vehicles Owned or
Leased by the Federal Government?
Federal agencies
should:
a. Discourage the use
of hand-held wireless phones by a driver while operating motor vehicles owned
or leased by the Federal
government.
b. Provide a portable
hands-free accessory and/or a hands-free car kit for government owned wireless
phones.
c. Educate employees on
driving safely while using hands-free wireless phones. See Attachment A for
``Cellular Phone Driving Tips''
published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA).
6. Are Federal Employees Exempt From Local or State Laws
Prohibiting or Limiting the Use of Wireless Phones While Driving?
Generally, Federal
employees are not exempt from state and local laws governing operation of a
motor vehicle. If adhering to state and
local laws would impede your agency's mission, consult your
General Counsel for advice.
7. Could Federal Agencies Be Held Liable for Injuries or Damages
Caused by Employees Who Use Wireless Phones While Driving Motor Vehicles Owned
or Leased by the Federal Government?
Federal agencies should
be aware of the potential for increased liability from accidents that occur if
directly caused by the use of
wireless phones while driving motor vehicles owned or leased by
the Federal government.
8. What Future Actions Should We Expect?
NHTSA has over a dozen
new studies planned during the next two years regarding driver distractions
such as wireless phone use. As
these reports are published, the General Services Administration's
Federal Vehicle Policy Division will keep agencies abreast of the
current research and recommendations on whether wireless phones,
or any other device, should be used while driving.
Page 9453
Page 9454
9. Who Should We Contact for Further Information and/or To Direct
Comments to on the Issue of Limiting the Use of Wireless Phones While Driving
Motor Vehicles Owned or Leased by the Federal Government?
General Services
Administration, Office of Governmentwide Policy, Federal Vehicle Policy
Division (MTV), Washington, DC 20405, Telephone Number: 202-501-1777, E-mail
Address: vehicle.policy@gsa.gov
Dated: February 25, 2002.
G. Martin Wagner,
Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.
Safe driving is your
first priority. Always buckle up, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on
the road.
Make sure that your
phone is positioned where it is easy to see and easy to reach. Be familiar with
the operation of your phone, so that
you're comfortable using it on the road.
Use a hands-free
microphone while driving. Make sure your phone is dealer-installed to get the
best possible sound quality.
Use the speed dialing
feature to program in frequently called numbers. Then you can make a call by
touching only two or three
buttons. Most phones will store up to 99 numbers.
When dialing manually
without the speed dialing feature, dial only when stopped. If you can't stop,
or pull over, dial a few digits, then
survey traffic before completing the call. (Better yet, have a
passenger dial.)
Never take notes while
driving. Pull off the road to jot something down; if it's a phone number, many
mobile phones have an electronic
scratchpad that allows you to key in a new number while having a
conversation.
Let your wireless
network's voice mail pick up your calls when it's inconvenient or unsafe to
answer the car phone. You can even use your voice mail to leave yourself reminders.
Be a cellular
Samaritan. Dialing 9-1-1 is a free call for cellular subscribers; use it to
report crimes in progress or other potential
life-threatening emergencies, accidents or drunk driving.
Source: Department of
Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: An
Investigation of the Safety Implications of
Wireless Communications in Vehicles November 1997.
Page 9454
FR Doc. 02-4880 Filed 2-28-02; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P
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