December 10, 2003States Seek to Curb Driver Distraction In 2003, 42 states considered regulating use of cell phones while drivingWASHINGTON, DC - States are taking the lead role in addressing driver distraction, according to a new report by the National Conference of State Legislatures. During the 2003 session alone, legislatures in 42 states considered measures related to the use of cell phones while driving. Since 1999, all 50 states have considered such bills. Today, 17 states have laws that regulate talking on a phone behind the wheel. Another 17 require police to track car accidents in which one of the drivers was on a mobile phone. Six states are gathering more information on the issue, says the report. No state completely bans drivers from chatting on the road, though. Eleven considered such prohibitions in 2003, but none passed a law. Instead of outlawing phones in cars entirely, many states regulate which drivers can use them. Seven states prohibit school bus drivers from using phones while driving the bus. Maine and New Jersey forbid drivers under the age of 21 who only have learners' permits from using cell phones on the road. "The use of cell phones while driving is actually drawing attention to an old issue," said Matt Sundeen, NCSL transportation program principal and author of the report. "Since cars were invented, driver awareness - or lack thereof - has been a safety concern." Between 20 percent and 30 percent of vehicle crashes each year are caused by driver distraction. Some studies suggest that using cell phones while driving is dangerous, while others say cell phones cause less than one percent of all crashes. Mobile phones, the report concludes, are a new and noticeable diversion that can take attention away from traffic. "It is easy to spot a driver with a hand to the ear and know they are distracted by a phone call," the report states. "It may not be so easy to spot the driver whose mind is elsewhere." Some states are addressing a broad range of activities that could draw drivers' attention away from the highway. In 2003, 10 states considered bills prohibiting distracting activities. Sundeen expects this issue to stay on states' agendas during upcoming legislative sessions. Americans collectively spend more than 500 million hours in their cars each week. More than 151 million people now use wireless service. For a copy of Cell Phones and Highway Safety, send an email to press-room@ncsl.org. NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and legislative staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. Its mission is to improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures, foster interstate communication and provide the states a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system. ### | 
