Taxi-Limousine Commission Outlaws Cell Phones For Drivers
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The Taxi and Limousine Commission approved new rules forbidding cab drivers from talking on hands-free cell phones while driving, even if they are alone in the cab.
At the TLC's monthly public meeting in Downtown Manhattan, commissioners voted unanimously to ban hands-free electronic devices, including Bluetooth headsets, while the vehicle's motor is running.
Cab drivers can only use cell phones if they pull over and shut off their engine.
The new rules also come with hefty fines. One summons makes drivers take a mandatory safety course with a $200 fine, while a second summons would add points to the driver's license or a suspension.
A driver with a third offense is stripped of the hack license.
Some representatives who spoke at the public hearing thought the rules are too harsh.
"These drivers are behind the wheel 10, 12 hours sometimes," said President Fernando Mateo of the State Federation of Taxi Drivers. "It's very difficult for them not to have communication with co-workers, with their children, with their families, with their wives all hours of the day."
"We need to be able to access our phones," said one driver. "I think it's ridiculous with the amount of taxi stands that have been pulled away from us, to expect us to be able to pull over to use our phones if it's an emergency."
The new rules will still allow for short conversations on two-way radios authorized by the TLC and voice-activated GPS devices.