Ohio Texting Ban Takes Effect

The texting ban for Ohio drivers will take effect Friday, the Associated Press reported.

For the next half year police will only issue warnings, texting while driving will be a secondary offense for drivers 18 and older, meaning an officer has to stop a driver for another offense first.

For drivers under 18, the ban is a primary offense and they are not allowed to text, use cell phones or other hand-held devices.

The ban does allow all drivers to text and use their cell phones in cases of an emergency.

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Truckers' Handheld Cellphone Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1

The regulation banning truck drivers from using handheld phones while they drive will take effect Jan. 1, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said Friday.

Commercial drivers will face fines of up to $2,750 for using phones, and revocation or suspension of their commercial driver’s license for repeat offenses, said the regulation, which was published in Friday’s Federal Register.

Click here to view the rule in text format, or click here for PDF version. (U.S. government website)

“It’s just too dangerous for drivers to use a handheld cellphone while operating a commercial vehicle,” FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro said in announcing the ban just before Thanksgiving.

The ban was developed along with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. It applies to interstate commercial drivers and drivers of hazardous materials.

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Selleck Takes Chairman/President Post at Michelin North America

Pete Selleck has assumed his posts of chairman and president of Michelin North America, succeeding Richard Wilkerson, who is retiring, the tire manufacturer said Monday.

Selleck began working in the new positions Oct. 17, responsible for coordinating all Michelin activities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, Michelin said. The company had first announced the changes in June.

Wilkerson becomes Michel’s chairman emeritus. Michelin first announced his retirement and Selleck’s succession in June.

Selleck, a 29-year Michelin employee. is now based at Michelin North America’s headquarters in Greenville, S.C., returning from Michelin Group’s global headquarters in France, where he served as president of Michelin's global Truck Tires division since January 2006.

In his previous role, Selleck’s initiatives included the rollout of X-One tires in North America, implementation of modernization efforts at truck tire plants in Europe and North America, and capacity expansions in China, India and Brazil, Michelin said.

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