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Government Related Articles West Virginia Announces Cell Phone Ban
Government Related Articles West Virginia Announces Cell Phone Ban
| West Virginia Announces Cell Phone Ban |
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| Written by Janna Smeltzer |
| Wednesday, 17 September 2008 00:00 |
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West Virginia is the latest state to prohibit cellular phone usage by school bus drivers following a legislative rule passed last week by the state board of education.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, West Virginia is the 18th in the nation to pass a similar law or regulation prohibiting school bus drivers from using cell phones while operating the bus. The effective date is Oct. 14, 2008. The new rule is contained in section 13.20 of the West Virginia School Bus Transportation Policy and Procedures Manual and covers all cellular phones or other portable electronic devices, even those equipped with hands-free devices, while driving or supervising the loading and unloading of students. If communication with the transportation department via a cell phone is necessary, for example in the event of an emergency, the bus must be stopped. A state department of education spokeswoman said several counties have previously implemented policies to ban cell phone use by school bus drivers while on routes. The new rule now makes that mandatory statewide. Ben Shew, executive director of Office of School Transportation, added that the cell phone policy was presented to school bus operators in July during the state conference. |