Safety advocates respond to US DOT Secretary's distracted driving announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Safety advocates respond to U.S. Transportation 
Secretary’s announcement to reduce distracted driving by commercial vehicle 
operators  
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 1, 2009) – 
Statement by Judith L. Stone, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto 
Safety: 
“Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety welcomes today’s announcement by 
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for taking quick and 
decisive action on banning texting and restricting cell phone use by operators 
of commercial motor vehicles.  Advocates recently filed a petition for 
rulemaking requesting consideration of such action on the use of a wide array of 
electronic devices used by commercial drivers.  There is convincing and 
compelling research that wireless electronic devices dramatically increase the 
risk of truck and bus crashes.  The Secretary’s action to stop the dangerous 
practice of truck and motorcoach drivers texting while driving as well as 
restricting cell phone use will reduce crashes, save lives, and avoid 
thousands of injuries to commercial operators and motorists sharing the same roads. 
“We also applaud President Obama’s Executive Order that prohibits 
government employees from driving while distracted because of cell phone use.  That 
action helps to set a standard for responsible driving that can save lives 
and should be emulated by other motorists across the U.S. 
“The President’s order and the Secretary’s actions represent important 
first steps toward reducing distracted driving on our roads.  Advocates’ 
petition requested the Secretary to also consider banning or restricting the use 
of other electronic devices commonly used by commercial drivers that are also 
highly distracting and increase the risk of crashes.  We look forward to 
the Secretary’s positive response to the remainder of our petition. 
“Restricting the use of these other electronic devices would complement the 
Secretary’s sweeping action today to prohibit the use of all electronic and 
electrical devices by rail crews.  Furthermore, since Secretary LaHood has 
imposed the severe penalty on school bus drivers of losing their commercial 
driving licenses if they are detected to be driving while distracted, we 
look forward to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation 
specifying tough sanctions to be imposed on truck and motorcoach drivers if they 
are found to be driving while texting or talking on cell phones.  We know 
from experience that safe driving practices can be achieved with the 
combination of sound education, strong rules and severe penalties.�?? 
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (_www.saferoads.org_ 
(http://www.saferoads.org/) ) is an alliance of consumer, health, law enforcement and safety 
groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’
s roads safer. 
MEDIA CONTACTS: 
Jaime Lotter, 202-408-1711 
Judith L. Stone, 202-277-6192