In today’s fast-moving transportation world, staying connected on the road is critical. But if your drivers are still using cellphones while driving, you’re not just taking a safety risk — you’re taking a financial and legal gamble.

At Nextcom, we believe there’s a smarter, safer, and fully legal alternative: Push-to-Talk (PoC) walkie talkies. These devices keep your fleet connected while helping you avoid distracted-driving fines and the embarrassment of getting stopped by the police.

The Real Cost of Distracted Driving

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict rules to prevent distracted driving by commercial drivers. Under 49 CFR §392.80 and §392.82, it’s illegal to:
• Hold a hand-held mobile phone while driving
• Dial or text manually
• Reach for a device in a way that requires leaving a seated driving position

The penalties are steep:
• Up to $2,750 per driver per violation
• Up to $11,000 per company per violation

Beyond fines, repeat offenders can face CDL suspensions, higher insurance premiums, and public exposure. One photo of a driver on their phone is all it takes to damage your company’s reputation.

One ticket can cost more than years of radio service.

State Laws Back It Up

*Every U.S. state bans texting while driving, and nearly all prohibit hand-held cellphone use for commercial drivers.

Examples:
• California bans hand-held phones but exempts two-way radios for commercial drivers.
• New York excludes two-way radios from their definition of portable electronic devices.

*Know your local laws: Confirm the state laws of cellphone use in a commercial vehicle.

In short:
- Cellphones are illegal and expensive
- Two-way radios are legal, safe, and encouraged

 

✅ Two-Way Radios Are Legal Nationwide

FMCSA does not classify two-way radios as mobile phones. This means that mounted, hands-free radios are legal to use while driving across America.

Device Type	Legal While Driving	Notes
Hand-held cellphone	❌ No	Federally banned; heavy fines
Bluetooth/hands-free phone	✅ Yes	Must be one-button or voice activated
CB & analog two-way radios	✅ Yes	Fully legal
Digital / PoC LTE radios	✅ Yes	Legal if mounted and operated properly
Texting or app use	❌ No	Illegal nationwide

The Hidden Cost of “Just Using a Phone”

Many fleets still rely on drivers using their personal phones for quick dispatch calls. This is a costly mistake:
• Drivers may unintentionally break distracted-driving laws.
• One violation can lead to $11,000 company fines.
• CDL suspensions can disrupt operations and contracts.
• Insurance premiums can rise for years.
• Negative press can hurt your brand.

Even careful drivers can be cited. If a police officer sees a phone in a driver’s hand, that’s an easy ticket. And with dash cams and public reporting, getting caught is easier than ever.

Radios: The Smart, Legal Communication Tool

·         Modern Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) radios from Nextcom combine the best of both worlds — traditional two-way reliability and modern nationwide coverage.

·         With Nextcom radios, you get:
 One-button communication — no texting, no dialing
 Nationwide coverage on leading LTE networks
 FMCSA-compliant operation
 Affordable plans $250/year/vehicle.

Radios let your team stay connected without exposing your business to unnecessary legal or financial risk.

Avoid Embarrassment

No transportation manager wants to get that call:
“Your driver was caught on their phone. You’re facing a fine.”

Getting cited for distracted driving isn’t just expensive — it’s embarrassing for your company, your drivers, and your brand.

Switching to radios removes the risk entirely. You give your drivers a legal, reliable communication tool and protect your fleet from costly mistakes.

The Bottom Line

- Cellphones while driving = illegal, risky, and expensive
- Two-way radios = legal, reliable, and affordable

For less than the cost of a single distracted-driving fine, you can outfit your entire fleet with Nextcom PoC radios and protect your business for years to come.

Don’t Wait for a Ticket to Change

Switch to Nextcom Two-Way Radios today and keep your drivers, your company, and your reputation protected.

 Shop Now | Fleet Discounts Available