49 CFR § 220.301 - Purpose and application.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s220.301"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 220.301 - Purpose and application."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "220.301"
section_name: "Purpose and application."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "220"
part_name: "RAILROAD COMMUNICATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20102-20103, 20103 note, 20107, 21301-21302, 20701-20703, 21304, 21311; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "63 FR 47195, Sept. 4, 1998, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "220"
---


# 220.301 Purpose and application.

(a) The purpose of this subpart is to reduce safety risks resulting from railroad operating employees being distracted by the inappropriate use of electronic devices, such as mobile telephones (cell phones or cellular phones) and laptop computers.

(b) The applicability of this subpart is governed by § 220.3; this subpart, however, does not affect the use of working wireless communications pursuant to subparts A and B of this part.

(c) The restrictions of this subpart C do not apply—

(1) To the working radio; or

(2) When a working radio failure occurs and an electronic device is used in accordance with railroad rules.