Summit in DC Investigates Ways to Reduce Distracted Driving

Posted on Sep 30, 2009

The Department of Transportation held a two day Distracted Driving Summit to explore research on texting and using cell phones while driving. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood labeled the distracted driving issue as a serious epidemic, citing figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to NHTSA data, 5,800 deaths and 515,000 injuries occurred last year from distracted driving.

Congress is considering legislation that would require states to pass laws against texting while driving or else they could potentially lose a portion of their federal highway funds, calling it the ALERT Drivers Act of 2009 (Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act).

18 states have already passed bans on texting while driving; though enforcing these bans prove difficult. Some reason that while these bans on texting and driving may help reduce accidents, it is up to the individual to make the right decision to remain attentive while driving. Skeptics argue that anyone involved in a collision knows that even while being attentive, things go awry on the road far more quickly than most drivers can react.

Proponents of a nationwide ban point to a recent Virginia Tech study found that operators of large trucks are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident if they are texting, and all drivers are six times more likely to have an accident by simply reaching for a phone, CD, or IPod.

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