Know the Laws of the States You Drive

While there are many similar driving laws across the United States, fleet managers should ensure that any driver that crosses state lines is aware of some of the more subtle differences from state-to-state. In addition to general DOT regulations for interstate commerce, the actual driving laws must be heeded as well.

Several websites are available to help drivers be "in the know" when it comes to state-by-state laws. Here are a few items that should be researched before crossing over state lines, and sites that have some helpful data:

Speed Limits

For an in-depth chart with fines, visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administriaton (NHTSA) website: www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/enforce/speedlaws501/summary_table.htm

For information on maximum posted speed limits across the states, check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website: www.iihs.org/laws/speedlimits.aspx

Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Another area to be wary of is cell phone and texting laws. Your fleet may have an overall policy prohibiting cell phone use while driving, regardless of the location. If you don't, drivers should err on the side of caution and just avoid using cell phones. Details on cell phone laws by state are located on the Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA) website: www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

What other state-by-state driving laws do you share with your fleet drivers?

Let me know!

Lauren.Fletcher@bobit.com