Folks in Delaware and the neighboring state of Maryland have lived with various cell phone laws for over a year now. Monday will mark the one year anniversary of the Delaware law. Delaware's law went into effect January 2, 2011, In Maryland talking on your cell phone while driving became illegal on October 1, 2010.
NTSB calls for national law
In December the NTSB released a statement calling for a nationwide ban on driver use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) while operating a motor vehicle.
From the NTSB Press Release:
The safety recommendation specifically calls for the 50 states and the District of Columbia to ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices (other than those designed to support the driving task) for all drivers. The safety recommendation also urges use of the NHTSA model of high-visibility enforcement to support these bans and implementation of targeted communication campaigns to inform motorists of the new law and heightened enforcement.
"According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents", said Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving."
"No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life."
Safety recommendations are issued by the NTSB following the investigation of transportation accidents and the completion of safety studies.
NTSB ruling in Delaware River accident
While Pennsylvania has no laws restricting cell phone use while driving, the Philadelphia area made the news in the summer of 2010 for an accident on the Delaware River that claimed two lives.
In July of 2011 the NTSB held a public meeting in Washington, D.C. to discuss the fatal accident between a tugboat and a duck tour boat carrying tourists on the Delaware River. The crew member in charge of the tugboat at the time of the accident was using his personal cell phone and a company laptop computer from the lower wheelhouse to deal with a personal family issue. In their findings the NTSB addressed many issues, but it was made very clear that repeated use of a cell phone and laptop computer were key factors in the accident.
Federal Law in the future
A federal law was proposed this summer to address cell phone use on the national level. The bill, H.R. 2333: Safe Drivers Act of 2011 has the stated purpose of "To enhance safety of individuals by banning the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving, and for other purposes." The bill did get far and would seem to be abandoned at this time.
While the NTSB can not create laws, their advice and opinions can greatly influence lawmakers. With the recent recommendation of the NTSB to address a nationwide ban on the use of electronic devices while driving it would likely be a topic of discussion on Capitol Hill in 2012.on Capitol Hill in 2012.
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