Global Automakers Weighs in at Senate Commerce Committee Distracted Driving Summit

WASHINGTON--Feb. 6, 2014: At today's Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation summit on distracted driving, the Association of Global Automakers (Global Automakers) said that the issue is important, complicated, and requires stakeholders to work together to encourage safe driving.

"The recipe used to increase seat belt usage in the United States is a great example to follow with driver distraction," said President and CEO of Global Automakers Michael J. Stanton. "It requires the three ingredients of engineering, education, and enforcement."

The committee staff-led panel, titled Over-Connected and Behind the Wheel: A Summit on Technological Solutions to Distracted Driving, included representatives from the auto industry, consumer electronics, wireless industries, and government agencies. Global Automakers was invited to participate due to its advocacy to combat driver distraction and ongoing support of state legislation that prohibits the use of hand-held devices for telephone calls and texting.

"Today auto safety is approached holistically and companies are developing technologies that address both crash protection and prevention," said Stanton. "Automakers are just one group of many stakeholders that have a role to play in addressing distraction behind the wheel. We will continue to do research to improve these technologies and collaborate with other partners."