Bills to Curb Distracted Driving Gain Momentum

When its legislature convenes this year, Kansas will consider banning motorists from sending text messages. South Carolina will, too, and debate whether to prohibit drivers from using phones altogether, or requiring them to use hands-free devices when they call. New Jersey lawmakers have proposed banning drivers from manipulating a navigation system in a moving car. In all, lawmakers have already proposed 200 bills to curb distracted driving, and policy analysts expect to see dozens more in the coming months. "It's the hottest safety issue in the states right now by far," said Jonathan Adkins, spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety agencies. The flurry of state activity — coupled with intensifying action by federal legislators and regulators, and by the cellphone and auto industries — is putting renewed focus on the risks of using phones behind the wheel, according to policy analysts. They acknowledge that there is no certainty of how many of the bills will become law, and say that the number of bills is running just slightly ahead of last year's tally. But they assert the proposals are being met with less resistance than in years past from legislators, and are enjoying newfound industry support. For example, cellphone and auto companies have joined lobbying efforts for legislation to ban texting while driving. (1/1)