Cell phone question for US

US states are being urged by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to ban drivers from using mobile phones and other electronic devices.
April 24, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
US states are being urged by the 4180 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to ban drivers from using mobile phones and other electronic devices. The NTSB’s call comes after an investigation by the agency noted an increasing number of road accidents caused by distractions. According to the 5188 Governors Highway Safety Association, 35 states , including hands-free devices, when they are at the wheel. The Governors Highway Safety Association revealed that 35 states and Washington DC prohibit texting while at the wheel, and Washington DC and nine states forbid drivers from using hand-held mobile phones while driving. However, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced his refusal to endorse The NTSB proposal to ban cellphones while driving, which includes hands-free devices. Although NTSB is a federal agency, it does not have the rule-making strength that the Department of Transportation has, of which LaHood is the head. As a result, the possibility of the ban becoming a federal regulation is unlikely. Why LaHood should announce his refusal to endorse the proposal remains unclear at present, particularly as he has been vocal in his support of road safety measures to date. NTSB said that vehicles that integrate a hands-free calling feature into their system and do not need to connect to a cellphone are not included in the ban, which means that the ban excludes 4070 General Motors's OnStar system, but not 3423 Ford Motor's Sync system. NTSB called for the ban in response to a fatal collision in 2010 in Missouri, which in part was caused by a driver who was sending out text messages while driving.

Related Content

  • New research highlights risks of smartphone use while driving
    April 13, 2012
    A new study carried out by the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) highlights the increased risks resulting from drivers using smartphones while at the wheel. Previous research shows that using a mobile phone while driving impairs driving performance. But with smartphones now becoming more common, an increasing number of drivers are able to engage in a broad range of activities using their phone while at the wheel. The TRL’s study investigated whether there was an effect of social networking using a sm
    Read More
  • Getting a foothold on road safety
    September 3, 2012
    The Indian businessman, Rohit Baluja, has become one of the most articulate and outspoken advocates of road safety in developing countries. A leading figure in his country’s shoe industry, Baluja was converted to the cause that has become his lifelong passion during regular business trips to Europe
    Read More
  • While driving risk for young
    December 15, 2015
    New research from the US shows that texting while driving has become a major cause of deaths and injuries amongst youngsters in the US. Using smartphones for texting or accessing the internet while at the wheel is the biggest single cause of death for teenagers in the US according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report says that in spite of 45 US states having banned drivers from sending texts or emails while at the wheel, up to 660,000/hour are using smartphones
    Read More
  • AEM – US construction sector “remains resilient” amid Covid-19 pandemic
    April 8, 2020
    US firms have job sites to run but are still helping prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
    Read More

Highlighted Content