Long Road Ahead in Effort to End Distracted Driving
At the recent Distracted Driving Summit hosted by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, it became clear that distracted driving is a growing safety concern across the nation.

November 18, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Long Road Ahead in Effort to End Distracted Driving

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At the recent Distracted Driving Summit hosted by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, it was clear to the national and state officials attending that distracted driving is a growing safety problem across the nation.

Multiple recent studies show that texting while driving can cause traffic accidents and serious injuries. As of October 1, texting can also hit Maryland drivers in the wallet with a fine of up to $500 for violating the new state ban on texting while driving.

A recent national poll showed that two-thirds of drivers 18 to 24 years old said they have driven while either sending or reading a text message on their cellphones. Research shows that texting has a negative effect on driver reaction time similar to driving while intoxicated. In fact, the reaction time of a texting driver is about the same as a drunk driver who has a blood alcohol content twice the legal limit of 0.08.

Statistics show that nearly 20,000 people in Maryland are injured annually in crashes due to inattentive and distracted drivers; 38 percent of all Maryland traffic injuries involve a distracted or inattentive driver.

Traffic safety experts say the public has a basic understanding of the problem. A recent AAA study shows 58 percent of drivers say that using a cellphone while driving is dangerous, yet 67 percent of drivers admit to engaging in the dangerous practice within the past month.

Distracted Driving Summit attendees didn?t agree on a single solution to the problem of distracted driving. However, there was a general consensus that the federal government should consider a nationwide ban on texting or create financial incentives for states to adopt their own bans. Attendees also agreed that legislation will not by itself solve the problem.

Many drivers in states and cities where cellphone use is restricted routinely flout the laws. Experts say a national education effort similar to the ones carried out promoting seatbelt use and discouraging drinking and driving may be needed in addition to the legislation and enforcement of the laws.

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