In response to a recent study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that highlights the dangers of texting while driving, lawmakers have rolled out new legislation that would ban texting on a cell phone or other device while driving.

A new federal bill, known as the Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act

, or "ALERT Drivers" Act, is being sponsored by U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Mary Landrieu (D-L.A.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.). The rule would mandate that states enforce the texting ban within the next two years or lose 25 percent of their federal highway funds per year. However, if states comply after the two-year deadline, they can collect highway funds retroactively.

In addition to the Virginia Tech study, the legislation was prompted by a number of concerns, including a rash of mass transit accidents caused by distracted operators, as well as other studies on the dangers of texting.

"Studies have shown over and over that texting while driving is dangerous, and it's time to take action to prevent the tragic accidents that result from this activity," said Schumer. "We have seen too many lives ruined due to drivers recklessly using their cell phones. With this new legislation, drivers will finally be held responsible for dangerous behavior that puts the public at risk."



The American Trucking Associations said it "strongly supports the safety objectives" of the legislation, it wants to make sure the bill does not inadvertently require states to outlaw the use of truck cab fleet management systems that provide limited but necessary cargo-related information to professional drivers. ATA recommends that drivers and motor carriers consider policies that would minimize or eliminate the use of electronic technologies while operating motor vehicles.

The Virginia Tech study set out to analyze driver distraction in commercial vehicle operations. Using in-cab video taken from about 200 truck drivers and about 3 million miles of driving, the institute analyzed and measured the impact of driver distraction on crashes and other performance errors by looking at the types of tasks drivers were doing and what their eyes were focused on.

The research found that text messaging and dialing on cell phones were key distraction tasks, and that drivers were 23 times more likely to get into an accident when texting. Out of a span of six seconds, drivers' eyes were looking off of the forward roadway for about five seconds while texting in the middle of a critical event, the data showed.

Another study by Car and Driver Magazine found texting to be more dangerous than driving intoxicated. Meanwhile a 2008 study by Nationwide Insurance reported that 20 percent of American drivers send text messages while driving.

According to a press release issued by Sen. Menendez, cell phone texting and e-mail has been increasing among Americans in recent years. During one month, December 2008, Americans sent over 110 billion text messages, according to the New York Times.

The senators also pointed to research by the American Medical Association, which said texting while driving is a public health risk, citing a study that found that texting while driving causes a 400 percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road.

"This legislation addresses a growing problem on our nation's highways: distracted drivers," Landrieu said. "By enforcing a minimum standard for states, Congress can ensure that both interstate commerce and private in-state travel remains as safe as possible, while allowing states to enact stricter standards if they choose. Fourteen states, including Louisiana, have already passed laws addressing this issue - it is time for the other 36 states to follow suit."

Actually, 16 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws banning all drivers from texting, including Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

Meanwhile, nine states have enacted rules banning novice drivers from texting, including Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and West Virginia.

To read Truckinginfo.com's story on the Virginia Tech study, click here.

For more information on state cell phone driving laws, see the Governors Highway Safety Association web site.