Law to prohibit texting whilst driving
It has been revealed that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a new proposal for governments to use, to stop texting at the wheel.
In an attempt to reduce road accident claims and combat distracted motorists, the group hopes that the sample language will provide information and a starting point for law enforcers addressing the usage of mobile phones whilst on the road.
The plan said: “While there are many sources of driver distraction, there is heightened concern regarding the risks of texting-while-driving. The act of composing, sending or reading text messages interrupts drivers' cognitive attention, causes vision to be directed away from the road, and compromises manual control of the vehicle.”
The organisation said that it hoped the suggestion will encourage the government to ban drivers from using a phone all together.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said: “This partnership should make it easier for [those] that have not already banned texting behind the wheel to get their acts together and get on board.”
According to LaHood, the DOT worked with safety organisations to craft the language of the sample suggestion, including Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and the National Safety Council. The agency has also made the move with the support of the wireless and automobile industries, he said.
The sample law basically bans texting while operating a motor vehicle on the travel portion of public streets, roads and highways. Those who disobey could be charged with a criminal injury claim.
The proposal would not apply to law enforcement, fire service or emergency medical services professionals. It would also not be enforced when reporting an emergency or criminal or suspicious activity to law enforcement or when receiving messages related to the operation or navigation of a motor vehicle, safety-related information, or data used primarily by the motor vehicle.
It would not apply to radio or the use of a device or system for navigation purposes. Other wireless interpersonal communication that does not require manual entry would also be exempt.
Texting kills
It becomes very clear as to why the DOT are trying to force this proposal through – especially after one learns that those who text behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to receive personal injury and get into a crash.
A report by the National Safety Council found mobile phone use leads to about 1.6 million crashes a year. Around 200,000 of those accidents are caused by texting while driving. Studies show teenagers are especially prone to text and drive.
One Transport Research Laboratory in the U.K. found that when subjects were texting whilst driving, reaction speed was reduced by 35%, thus increasing the likelihood of a crash. In addition, the study found that those that were using their phone whilst behind the wheel reduced their steering ability by 91%.
One law enforcer commented: “We're so fixated at texting and driving we lose sight of what we're supposed to be doing...and we're supposed to be driving.”
Updated on 23/02/2010