Landstar President and CEO Frank Lonegro reinforced a simple yet key message during the company’s first Safety Thursday Conference Call of 2026: focus behind the wheel is essential to protecting lives and livelihoods.

“Distraction-free driving isn’t just a best practice — it’s a safety requirement that protects you, your freight, and everyone sharing the road,” Lonegro said. He reminded all drivers that commercial truck drivers are prohibited from using handheld phones or texting while driving, except when communicating with emergency services. “Please continue to stay hands-free and focused.”

No driver may use a hand-held mobile telephone or engage in texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), according to 49 CFR 392, Subpart H. The only occasion where either is permissible is when drivers are communicating with law enforcement officials or other emergency services.

FMCSA Compliance

• Make sure the mobile telephone is within close enough proximity that it is operable while the driver is restrained by properly installed and adjusted seat belts.
• Use an earpiece or the speaker phone function.
• Use voice-activated dialing.
• Use the hands-free feature. To comply, a driver must have his or her mobile telephone positioned so that he or she can initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button.
• The driver must be in the seated driving position and properly restrained by a seat belt. Drivers are not in compliance if they unsafely reach for a mobile phone, even if they intend to use the hands-free function.

Landstar Million Mile Safe Driver Eric Arriaga believes in following these regulations to the letter of the law. “I have Bluetooth and keep my phone mounted on the dash,” he says, because it’s not worth the risk.

Penalties for texting or using a hand-held mobile phone, according to 49 CFR 392, Subpart H can reach:

• Up to $2,750 (adjusted for inflation)
• Up to $11,000 for carriers allowing or requiring drivers to text or use a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Second and third offenses result in driver disqualifications for 60 and 120 days, respectively. States will suspend a driver’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations.

To sum it up, if your wheels are on the roadway, your phone must stay hands free!