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

  • Public-private participation for highway law enforcement
    April 18, 2017
    In some countries, public-private partnerships for road traffic law enforcement are helping to greatly reduce traffic fatalities. But careful implementation is essential, according to a new white paper. Big brother is watching you. Speed cameras are just a cash cow for local authorities. Police use them to keep their speeding ticket statistics high. The list of suspicions goes on. But there is nothing suspicious about road deaths, says Philip Wijers, chairman of the sub-committee on enforcement at the US-ba
    Read More
  • Concrete barriers help to minimise accidents
    July 12, 2012
    Concrete barriers offer a highway safety solution - Mike Woof writes. Concrete safety barriers are being installed on many of Europe's major highways, particularly for use as centre lane dividers. The strength and durability of concrete barriers can help reduce the risk of cross over accidents, one of several topics raised at a conference in Brussels on concrete highway barriers organised by the European Concrete Paving Association, EUPAVE. The conference was opened by Yves Deceoene of the IRF's Belgian ex
    Read More
  • New president, new plan
    July 19, 2012
    Special ECED meeting approves Action Plan to create stronger EU representation for distributors Members of the European Confederation of Equipment Distributors (ECED) have endorsed an Action Plan aimed at strengthening the distributors' association at EU level. This was agreed at an Extraordinary General Assembly in Brussels, Belgium, convened by newly-elected ECED President, Dr. José Gameiro, in his role as board member of ACAP (the Portuguese Cars and Machinery Association). The meeting asked the ECED
    Read More
  • Europe’s road safety challenge for the future
    March 2, 2022
    Europe’s road safety challenge is to reduce casualties for the future.
    Read More

Highlighted Content