"Distracted driving is a menace to society," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday as he opened the federal summit on text messaging, cell phoning and other forms of dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. The government was ready with the statistical evidence: 5,870 people were killed and 515,000 were injured in 2008 in which distracted driving was a factor. Sixteen percent of fatal crashes had the link, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found. "Distracted driving is an epidemic and it seems to be getting worse every year," LaHood told his audience of experts on … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2009
Distracted driving summit starts Wednesday
September 27, 2009 by 2 Comments
The U.S. Department of Transportation's summit on distracted driving begins Wednesday, bringing more than 200 experts to Washington to address the problems of texting and using cell phones while on the road. The summit was inspired by the growing national alarm over the problems of inattentive driving, primarily the potentially deadly practice of text messaging while driving, a practice seen as common among young adults. The public is invited to view the summit online and to submit questions for the panelists. View the page for the distracted driving webcast. The DOT will issue a series of … [Read more...]
Texting ban opponents say the darndest things
September 15, 2009 by Leave a Comment
We're becoming connoisseurs of ridiculous arguments against driver-safety laws for cell phones and text messaging devices. It's rare to see two in the same day, but we are doubly blessed today. Check out these bone-headed comments from a couple of Republicans during West Virginia's committee meeting on texting while driving: Delegate Carol Miller, R-Cabell, pointed out that kids are really, really good at text messaging while driving. "Young people can text all day without even looking," she said. If texting and driving is banned in West Virginia, perhaps there should be an exemption for … [Read more...]
Automaker backs texting bans
September 12, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Automaker Ford has endorsed congressional plans to force states into banning text messaging while driving. The Ford Motor Co. said it believes hand-held texting "substantially increases the risk of accidents." It is the first U.S. automaker to weigh in on the texting ban issue. Ford's entry into the texting debate has no clear purpose, nor is it likely to make a significant impact on pending legislation. The endorsement does, however, provide some more ammo for lawmakers nationwide seeking to wipe out the dangerous practice. In any case, the Ford endorsement of congressional action has … [Read more...]
NTSB staff ban on texting, cell phoning
September 9, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The new boss at the National Transportation Safety Board is a fan of BlackBerries, but not of hypocrisy. After her ceremonial swearing in Tuesday, NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman announced a ban on text messaging and talking on cell phones for all staffers who are driving during work hours. The policy extends to texting and cell phoning on personal time if the driver is using a federally owned wireless device. Hersman, appointed to the post by President Obama, noted that "the risk of catastrophic consequences is too great." She noted her own addiction to her BlackBerry. The new policy … [Read more...]
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