Transportation chief signals goal should put the brakes on drivers texting behind the wheelOctober 1st, 2009 Stop sign ahead for texting while driving?WASHINGTON — Determined to stop people from texting while driving, the Obama administration plans a campaign similar to past government efforts to discourage drunken driving and encourage the use of seat belts. The administration planned to offer recommendations Thursday to address the growing safety risk of distracted drivers, especially the use of mobile devices to send messages from behind the wheel.
Government says nearly 6,000 highway deaths tied to driver distraction in 2008September 30th, 2009 Govt: Nearly 6,000 deaths from driver distractionWASHINGTON — Opening a government meeting on auto safety, the Obama administration reported Wednesday that nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction, a striking indication of the dangers of using mobile devices behind the wheel. The Transportation Department was bringing together experts over two days for what it's calling a "distracted driving summit" to take a hard look at the highway hazards caused by drivers talking on cell phones or texting from behind the wheel.
Transportation Dept. kicks off meeting on texting, mobile use by driversSeptember 30th, 2009 LaHood: Distracted driving a 'menace to society'WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving a "menace to society" Wednesday, kicking off a two-day meeting on preventing drivers from using mobile devices behind the wheel. The Obama administration reported that nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction, a striking indication of the dangers of talking on cell phones and texting while driving.
Transportation Department holds summit to find ways of curbing cell phone use by driversSeptember 30th, 2009 Administration takes aim at distracted drivingWASHINGTON — Driving while distracted is a growing peril in a nation reluctant to put down its cell phones and handheld devices even behind the wheel, the Obama administration declared on Wednesday. Officials said Congress and the public must team up to reduce the danger.
Transportation Department kicks off effort to prevent drivers from using mobile devicesSeptember 30th, 2009 LaHood: Distracted driving a 'menace to society'WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving a "menace to society" Wednesday, kicking off a two-day meeting on preventing drivers from using mobile devices behind the wheel. The Obama administration reported that nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction, including drivers talking on cell phones and texting.
Auto industry group backs ban on handheld texting and cell phone use in carsSeptember 23rd, 2009 Auto industry supports ban on texting in carsWASHINGTON — An auto industry trade group says it supports a ban on texting and using hand-held cell phones while driving in advance of next week's major government summit on distracted driving. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said Wednesday that using a hand-held device to text or make phone calls while driving represents a safety risk and it supports the ban.
Ford says its supports federal legislation pressuring states to ban texting while drivingSeptember 11th, 2009 Ford backs bill to ban texting while drivingWASHINGTON — Ford said Thursday it backs federal legislation pressuring states to ban texting while driving in an effort to reduce driver distractions that could lead to accidents. In a statement, Ford safety executive Sue Cischke cited research that shows drivers who take their eyes off the road for extended periods increase the risk of accidents.
Federal safety board says its employees can't text or talk on cell phones while drivingSeptember 8th, 2009 NTSB restricts employee cell-phone useWASHINGTON — The federal safety agency that investigates transportation accidents is banning texting and talking on cell phones by its employees while driving on government business. National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman said Tuesday she's adopting the policy because she wants her agency to follow the same safety practices it recommends for others.
In reversal, highway safety association supports state laws against texting behind the wheelAugust 31st, 2009 Governors Highway Safety Assoc. backs texting banSAVANNAH, Ga.
Obama administration to convene safety summit on texting, distracted drivingAugust 4th, 2009 Administration to examine distracted drivingWASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Tuesday he will convene a summit of experts to figure out what to do about driver cell phone use and texting, practices that studies — and a growing number of accidents — show can be deadly. LaHood said he intends to gather senior transportation officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives, members of Congress and academics who study distracted driving for the summit next month in Washington.
Police: NY tow truck driver was texting and talking on 2 cell phones when he hit car, poolJuly 31st, 2009 Police: Texting, talking NY trucker hits car, poolLOCKPORT, N.Y. — Police say a western New York tow truck driver was texting on one cell phone while talking on another when he slammed into a car and crashed into a swimming pool.
Police: NY tow truck driver was texting and talking on 2 cell phones before hitting car, poolJuly 30th, 2009 Cops: Texting NY tow truck driver hits car, poolLOCKPORT, N.Y. — Police say a Buffalo-area tow truck driver was juggling two cell phones — texting on one and talking on another — when he slammed into a car and crashed into a swimming pool.
Tow truck driver who was texting, talking on cell phone slams into car, crashes into poolJuly 30th, 2009 Driver texts, talks, hits car, crashes into poolLOCKPORT, N.Y. — Police said a Buffalo-area tow truck driver was texting on one cell phone while talking on another when he slammed into a car and crashed into a swimming pool.
Group of senators want states to ban texting while driving or get federal highway money cutJuly 29th, 2009 Lawmakers propose ban on texting while drivingWASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers called for states to ban texting while driving or face cuts in highway funds, citing the need to reduce driver distraction and potential highway deaths and injuries. "When drivers have their eyes on their cell phones instead of the road, the results can be dangerous and even deadly," said Sen.
Group of senators wants states to ban texting while driving or get federal highway money cutJuly 29th, 2009 Lawmakers to propose ban on driving while textingWASHINGTON — States would be required to ban driving while texting or face the loss of highway funds under legislation being pushed by a group of Democratic senators. Aimed at reducing driver distraction and highway deaths and injuries, the proposal follows a series of studies showing the dangers of drivers taking their eyes off the road to operate the handheld electronic devices.
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