U.S. Seeks to Ban Texting for Some Drivers

Obama Administration Wants to Outlaw Distracting Practice for Interstate Bus Drivers and Truckers

(AP)  The Obama administration said Thursday it will seek to ban text messaging by interstate bus drivers and truckers and push states to pass their own laws against driving cars while distracted.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the administration also would move to put restrictions on cell phone use by rail operators, truck drivers and interstate bus drivers.

"Driving while distracted should just feel wrong - just as driving without a seat belt or driving while intoxicated," LaHood said at the end of a two-day conference on the problem. "We're not going to break everyone of their bad habits - but we are going to raise awareness and sharpen the consequences."

As a first step, LaHood said President Barack Obama signed an executive order late Wednesday banning all federal workers from texting while driving on government business, driving government vehicles or using government equipment.

The administration also will push to disqualify school bus drivers who are convicted of texting while driving from keeping their commercial driver's licenses.

Researchers, safety groups, automakers and lawmakers gathered to discuss the perils of distracted driving, hearing sobering data from the government that underscored the safety threat as more motorists stay connected with cell phones and mobile devices.

The Transportation Department reported that 5,870 people were killed and 515,000 were injured last year in crashes connected to driver distraction, often involving mobile devices or cell phones. Driver distraction was involved in 16 percent of all fatal crashes in 2008 and was more prevalent among young drivers.

Senate Democrats said support was building in Congress to move against text messaging by drivers. The legislation, pushed by Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, would require states to ban texting or e-mailing while operating a moving vehicle or lose 25 percent of their annual federal highway funding.

"It's like driving with your eyes closed," said Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., a proponent of a texting ban.

LaHood declined to endorse Schumer's bill, saying simply that the administration would work with Congress. Many states have questioned the use of so-called "sanctions" against states that do not pass laws sought by Congress, especially during tough economic times.

"The words 'federal mandate' and 'federal sanctions' do not play well," said Bruce Starr, an Oregon state senator who attended the conference.

Eighteen states and the federal enclave of Washington, already have passed laws making texting while driving illegal, and seven states and the Washington have banned driving while talking on a handheld cell phone, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Many safety groups have urged a nationwide ban on using any handheld mobile devices while behind the wheel.

The conference attracted families of victims of accidents caused by distracted driving, who urged the government to take a strong stance against cell phone use in vehicles, whether it includes a handsfree device or not. They said technologies that prevent the mobile device from receiving e-mails or phone calls while the vehicle is in motion could help address the problem.

[makemyday2day]

They should have the ban for ALL vehicles - not just buses and trucks. Anyone who feels compelled to text while driving is a complete selfish idiot! There are enough distractions while driving and there isn't a reason in the world why people need to text while behind the wheel. If a texting or babbling cell phone user EVER hurts one of my family members, I'll make sure they pay heavily for it. That's a PROMISE!!!

[beals1978]

We need fewer laws. Not more. I still don't understand why a grown man can't choose whether or not to wear his safety belt. It's just not right.

[stuart-johns1]

I feel sorry for you. The reason seatbelts are required is that they save lives! Are you against saving lives???? And those without health insurance who crash get treated and the cost is passed onto ALL Americans. That's why.

[ToolMangler1]

I ride Motorcycles, I wear a helmet, I think it is "STUPID" not to wear a helmet on a Motorcycle. I also think it is wrong to force me to wear a helmet when I ride or a seatbelt when I drive. If you ever see me not using them then it realy wasn't me, you just thought it was..

[stuart-johns1]

GOOD! If Americans are that dumb to text and drive than they DESERVE their rights to be taken away. I mean what do we have to do to get through to these people, arrest them and charge them with conspiracy to commit vehicular homicide???

I know that is absurd but so is the lack of common sense these people exercise as they text and drive.

[ToolMangler1]

If Driving under the influence (drugs, alcohol) is illegal then driving under the influence of stupidity should be illegal also. Anybody that thinks it is ok to text and drive and the same time is "STUPID" and therefore should be taken off the streets. I drive on the same streets as they might but I drive responsibly.