The Distracted Driving Summit is under way in Washington, DC this week and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood began by discussing new proposed legislation along with corporate initiative. CNN online reported that LaHood new regulations intended to prevent accidents involving drivers trying to text or talk on cell phones while operating a vehicle. The regulations target drivers transporting hazardous materials, train operators and commercial truck and bus drivers. LaHood said, two rules proposed at a distracted-driving summit last year have now become law, banning commercial bus and truck drivers from texting on the job and restricting train operators from using cell phones and other electronic devices.
The proposed legislation, prepared by the traffic safety agency and industry advisers, would authorize law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle and issue a citation to drivers who are texting while driving.
Under the proposed guidelines, drivers caught typing on a handheld device while behind the wheel would face a minimum fine of $75 and unspecified action against their driving privileges. In cases resulting in serious injury or death, a driving while texting offense could be considered a felony.
Broad bans on texting behind the wheel have already been enacted in 30 states and the District of Columbia; 11 of those laws were passed this year. Eight other states have bans that apply only to novice drivers.
On the private side, more than 550 U.S. companies — employing 1.5 million people nationwide — that have committed to enacting anti-distracted driving policies in the next year.
“We are taking action on a number of fronts to address the epidemic of distracted driving in America,” LaHood said in a written statement. “With the help of the experts, policymakers, and safety advocates we’ve assembled here, we are going to do everything we can to put an end to distracted driving and save lives.”
I will continue to post blogs as more reports about the driving summit come out.
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