Senators call for ban on texting while driving

Report: Texting very dangerous

Steve Hawley, Jul 29, 09.

Four US senators plan to introduce a bill that would ban texting and emailing while driving, according to the New York Times. The proposal follows recent studies revealing that texting while driving may increase the risk of a crash by eight to 23 times. Texting drivers frequently take their eyes off the road for five seconds at a time, which at freeway speeds is enough time to cover the length of a football field.

Under the proposal, states would have to ban texting and emailing while driving or lose 25 percent of their federal highway funds. Congress already has a similar rule regarding drunk driving. Currently, 14 states and the District of Columbia outlaw texting while driving.

CNN reports that the proposal would apply to “truck and car drivers and operators of mass transit.”

The four senators are Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, and Charles Schumer of New York. All but Sen. Schumer represent states that have already banned texting while driving, and New York appears close to passing such a measure.

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