National Safety Council praises Indiana legislature for passing texting law

ITASCA, IL--May 12, 2011: The National Safety Council applauds the Indiana legislature and Governor Mitch Daniels for passing and enacting Senate Bill 18, a bill that will prohibit people of all ages from texting while driving. The National Safety Council estimates at least 100,000 motor vehicle crashes each year involve drivers who are texting behind the wheel. With the passage of S.B. 18, Indiana becomes the 32^nd state to have a text messaging ban.

“It's a distraction that requires use of a driver's eyes, hands and mind. I applaud Gov. Daniels for signing this bill into law and making Indiana roadways safer.”

"Texting while driving is a very deadly behavior," said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "It's a distraction that requires use of a driver's eyes, hands and mind. I applaud Gov. Daniels for signing this bill into law and making Indiana roadways safer."

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers who send and receive text messages take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that 4.6 seconds is enough time to travel the length of an entire football field.

Prior to the passage of S.B. 18, only drivers younger than 18 were banned from texting while driving in Indiana.

The National Safety Council (NSC ) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

Connect with NSC:

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube