Safety, Education & Data Collection Needed to
Prevent Driver Distractions, Says NCSL Report
DENVER -- All states should begin collecting data on accidents caused by distracted drivers and more intense efforts are needed to educate the public on the proper use of cell phones and other in-vehicle technology, according to a national report issued today.
The Driver Focus and Technology Partnership, created by the National Conference of State Legislatures, released its findings after an eight-month period of study, agreeing on 14 principles to promote safety and more study on the issue.
"Members of the partnership understand the important public safety issues at stake," said NCSL Executive Director William Pound. "Technology has brought great advantages to drivers in need of emergency service while at the same time, in the hands of uneducated users, has caused safety concerns."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that each year 25 to 30 percent of all motor vehicle crashes -- about 1.2 million accidents -- have distractions as a contributing cause.
The partnership's recommendations include:
· All states should collect data about the involvement of driver distractions. The group encourages uniform data criteria, collection methods and officer training. It further recommends academic studies, such as driving simulators and road tests, to supplement information obtained from crash report forms.
· States should work with industry, the federal government and safety groups to develop appropriate driver education materials. While all drivers should receive this information, special attention should be paid to inexperienced drivers.
· Drivers should not have access to traditional broadcast television or other entertainment or information devices not intended for use while driving.
· School districts should provide mobile phones inside school buses. Drivers, though, should be prohibited from using while driving except in emergencies.
The partnership also recommended that states, rather than the federal government, decide on regulations regarding use of wireless telephones and other technology while driving. In addition, it recommends legislation that supports automatic crash notification systems and other emergency response related technology. Also, it recommends that any new state laws passed should be phased in to allow consumers enough time to adjust to restrictions.
"This NCSL partnership was a historic collaboration that brought the key stakeholders together to address the well-publicized concerns of driver distractions," said NCSL Transportation Program Director Jim Reed. "All the task force members are to be congratulated for their commitment to this process and for the recommendations they reached."
The partnership consisted of state legislators and staff, wireless service providers, auto manufacturers, other interested companies, safety groups, federal agencies, academics and other stakeholders. The members looked at a variety of technological devices -- both carried into and embedded in the vehicle -- that allow drivers to communicate with the outside world, receive information and entertainment services, and perform many of the activities that used to be available only at home or in the office.
One area the group did not reach consensus centered on whether states should prohibit the use of hand-held wireless phones but allow the use of hands-free phones while operating a motor vehicle. While some thought it was a reasonable restriction to enhance driver safety, others argued that it failed to address the cognitive distraction that occurs while talking on a phone. Others felt that cell phones or other specific technologies should not be singled out for regulation.
"The partnership report will serve as an important document for state legislators to use when considering legislation in this area," said NCSL Program Principal Matt Sundeen. "Legislatures will benefit from the work of this partnership."
Legislators on the committee are: Chair, Washington State Senator Tracey Eide, Vice Chair, Virginia State Senator Nick Rerras, Connecticut State Representative Richard Roy, Kansas State Representative Gary Hayzlett, Kansas State Representative Joe Humerickhouse, Missouri State Representative Marsha Campbell, New York State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Utah State Representative Kory Holdaway. Legislative staff members are: Florida House Utilities and Telecommunications Committee Staff Director Patrick "Booter" Imhof and Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission Attorney Ronald Grenoble.
Industry sponsors are: Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, AT&T Wireless, ATX Technologies, Cellport Systems, Cingular Wireless, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Intrado, Motorola, Inc., Plantronics, Sprint Corporation, Verizon Wireless and Voicestream Wireless.
Other forum members are: AAA, ITS America, University of Iowa Department of Industrial Engineering Associate Professor John Lee, National Association of Governors' Highway Safety, National Safety Council and National Transportation Safety Board. NCSL also received comments on the report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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For more information contact:
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Gene Rose
NCSL Public Affairs Director
(303) 856-1525
fax (303) 364-7800
gene.rose@ncsl.org
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Bill Wyatt
Public Affairs Manager
NCSL Washington, DC Office
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fax: (202) 737-1069
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