News Release

FirstGroup America Supports Actions to Prevent Distracted Driving

Company leads the industry with organization-wide policy banning use of mobile devices while driving.

CINCINNATI— FirstGroup America (FGA), North America’s leading transportation company, today announced that it was pleased to hear of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s ban on texting for commercial truck and bus drivers.  

FGA led the industry in 2008 when it issued a company-wide policy prohibiting all employees or contractors on company business from using a mobile device, either hand-held or hands-free, while driving.  Employees across all divisions of the company are instructed to pull over at a safe location and turn off their engine before making a call or sending a text message. FGA encourages employees to observe the policy while on personal time and to promote the practice with their family and friends.

“The safety of our passengers, employees and other road users is our top priority, and we fully support the initiatives Secretary LaHood has imposed to prevent distracted driving,” said Gary Catapano, senior vice president of Safety, FirstGroup America. “It is our hope that government officials, executives and citizens across North America join us in enforcing these safe driving practices.”

While several cities and states have passed legislation preventing distracted driving, Secretary LaHood has encouraged more to enact these laws. FGA supports further legislation to prevent the use of mobile devices while driving and supports initiatives such as these that make driving safer for everyone. 

About FirstGroup America

FirstGroup America is the leading transportation company in North America. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Company provides busing and maintenance services to municipalities, school districts and the general public in the U.S. and Canada. In 2008, the company was awarded the National Safety Council’s highest award for safety.  FirstGroup America is the largest provider of student transportation and the largest private sector provider of transit management and contracting services in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also owns and operates Greyhound. For more information, visit www.firstgroupamerica.com.

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