Texting While Driving Ban May Go National
April 30, 2012 8:44 AM 
It’s pretty much understood that texting while driving is not a good idea. As a matter of fact it’s a pretty dumb thing to do. Many states including New York have banned the practice and now, according to Reuters, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is calling for a federal law to ban talking on a cell phone or texting while driving any type of vehicle on any road in the country.
LaHood has some convincing statistics to back up his argument.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 3,000 fatal traffic accidents nationwide last year were the result of distracted driving. Using a cell phone while driving delays reaction time the same amount as having a blood alcohol concentration of .08, the legal limit, the highway agency said.
via U.S. ban sought on cell phone use while driving | Reuters.
However not everyone agrees.
Gary Biller, president of the National Motorists Association, said laws banning specific actions like talking on a phone or texting are not necessary because those actions are already covered by existing distracted-driving laws. It would be more productive, he said, to invest resources in campaigns that discourage inattentive driving in general.
via U.S. ban sought on cell phone use while driving | Reuters.
Personally I agree with the Secretary. Talking with a passenger is not the same as texting while driving and should not be classified as such.
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