On June 3, 2008, NHTSA published a notice in the Federal Register at 73 FR 31663 announcing that it is denying a petition for rulemaking from the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) which asked NHTSA to initiate a rulemaking that would have required that any vehicle-integrated personal communication systems including cellular phones and text messaging systems be inoperative when the vehicle is in motion. This was to have been accomplished via an amendment to FMVSS 102. CAS had also asked NHTSA to issue an ANPRM to consider subjecting other vehicle-integrated telematics systems that significantly increase vehicle crash rates to be included in the scope of the amendment sought to FMVSS 102. NHTSA’s rationale for their denial was that CAS had not provided information or analysis showing that the rule would result in safety benefits. NHTSA notes in the denial that if integrated cell phones and other telematic devices were required to be inoperative, drivers could instead use portable devices such as their regular cell phones.
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