Rockefeller Bill Would Help States that Ban Distracted Driving
States that prohibit distracted driving would qualify for grants under a bill (S-1938) introduced Wednesday by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. Rockefeller condemned the practice passionately at a spirited hearing, calling it a “lethal weapon” that legislation alone may not be solve. “We need to think bigger,” he said, challenging federal officials to consider technological solutions, such as a device that could disable texting when people drive: “I don’t think we have time to waste on this.”
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“I'm an optimist about the role technology can play,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, assuring Rockefeller that the agency already is studying technologies that could be adapted. The commission will work with the Transportation Department and industry on possible solutions, in addition to education efforts, Genachowski said. “We're just at the beginning of thinking about this.”
The issue is commanding significant attention on Capitol Hill, following a recent Transportation Department summit that declared the practice a “serious and ongoing threat,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told the hearing. On Thursday, the House Transportation Committee will take up the issue, and next week, the House Communications and Consumer Protection Subcommittees plan a joint hearing. It’s possible the House Transportation Committee may add language to the surface transportation authorization bill addressing distracted driving, a committee aide said.
LaHood and Genachowski told the hearing they plan to work together on a consumer driver education campaign. Both agencies are implementing President Barack Obama’s Oct. 1 executive order banning federal employees from texting while driving when working. Genachowski said he has urged FCC employees to avoid texting and driving at all times. “There’s no way around it -- this is an urgent problem that simply must be addressed,” he said. “We should develop a cultural norm that driving while texting is totally unacceptable.”
DOT is preparing new rules that would codify restrictions on cellphone use in rail operations, possibly ban the practice by truck and interstate bus operators while driving, and to disqualify school bus drivers convicted of texting while driving from maintaining their commercial driver’s license. “From my point of view, I think any device is a distraction and detracts from your ability to drive safely,” LaHood said. “There has to be a multi-part solution to this problem,” Genachowski said. “Friends don’t let friends text while driving.”
The Rockefeller bill, in the works for a few weeks (CD Oct. 14 p1), offers an incentive to states, using unspent funds from a $94 million federal seat belt grant program. Other bills, including S-1536 offered by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., propose withholding federal highway funds from states that don’t adopt anti-texting bills. In Rockefeller’s bill, grants would be allotted to states under the same formula as seat belt and drunken driving programs. States could use half of the money on driving education about the dangers of using cellphones while driving, while the other half could be spent on other traffic safety projects. States would also have to limit driver cellphone use to hands-free devices.
The Rockefeller legislation, which now has six co- sponsors, would “undo a horrible part of our life,” the senator said. “Cars and trucks with a distracted driver are deadly weapons and we have a responsibility to get them off the road,” Rockefeller said. “We're all guilty.” States should take the lead in addressing the issue, said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, ranking committee member. She’s a co-sponsor of the Rockefeller bill, which she said offers a positive incentive for states to take action and would not require new funding. “States should not be threatened with the loss of federal highway funds that have been paid for by their drivers,” she said.
“Our bill utilizes sticks,” Schumer told the hearing, comparing his bill with Rockefeller’s. “I hope we can have a bill that combines the best of both worlds,” Schumer said. “we all have the same goal -- to keep drivers safer.”
The FCC is planning a broader education campaign to supplement efforts already taken, which include a consumer advisory and Web site to alert the public about the problems, www.fcc.gov/cgb/driving.html. Through its power to license and regulate mobile devices, the commission can play a useful role in enabling technology and encouraging marketplace solutions, Genachowski said. One idea he suggests is to use “haptic” technology, “which simulates a sense of touch, creating the impression of buttons or controls even on flat surfaces.” He also suggested voice-to-text technologies might improve safety.
Genachowski praised the wireless industry for taking “strong first efforts to raise public awareness.” CTIA President Steve Largent issued a statement welcoming the Rockefeller bill. “We are particularly pleased that the legislation includes a significant educational component,” Largent said. CTIA is working with the National Safety Council to develop a public service announcement and Web site, www.onroadoffphone.org, focused on educating consumers about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving. AT&T also praised the bill, noting that it recently began a campaign telling drivers about the danger of texting while driving. The company also said it plans to revise company policies to expressly prohibit employees from texting behind the wheel.
Sprint and Verizon Wireless also said they support Rockefeller’s bill. Verizon Wireless began a national campaign featuring “Don’t Text and Drive” ads.