WASHINGTON - Federal legislation to ban use of hand-held phones and other mobile devices while driving was introduced yesterday in the U.S. House.
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., said the legislation would direct the Transportation Department to set a national standard to prohibit drivers from using hand-held mobile devices except in certain emergency situations.
"Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk," McCarthy said.
The legislation states that a hand-held device would "not include a voice-operated, vehicle-integrated, or hands-free device."
States that did not comply with the government's new standard within two years would be penalized by having 25 percent of their federal highway funding withheld.
In addition to developing a national hand-held ban, the legislation also would require the Transportation Department to conduct a study on distracted driving - particularly looking at " cognitive distraction," which involves whether drivers can still be dangerously distracted while using mobile phones even when they are operated with hands-free devices or voice commands.
Within two years, the department would be required to report on its findings and possibly tighten its restrictions on mobile device use in vehicles even further.
McCarthy cited departmental figures that found that at least 5,400 people died due to distracted driving in 2009.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, nine states now prohibit drivers from using hand-held phones to place calls while driving, and 34 states ban text messaging.
The Columbus Dispatch
States that did not comply with the government's new standard within two years would be penalized by having 25 percent of their federal highway funding withheld. That's typical of the government to threaten states by withholding a percentage of federal highway funding from any state that doesn't adhere to any federal government law(s). 
Within two years, the department would be required to report on its findings and possibly tighten its restrictions on mobile device use in vehicles even further. That's what I'm afraid of. Once the federal government starts enacting laws, they find ways to enact more restrictions in with the law(s).
*******************************************************
Should the federal government or states be responsible for cracking down on drivers using hand-held phones and other devices while driving?
I feel like it should be left up to the states.
Copy & paste to friend: (Click inside box; Ctrl + C to copy; Ctrl + V to paste)
|
|
read more blogs!
Blogs by StraddleMyNose:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bill would pry phones from hands of drivers (should U.S. or states crack down?) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wordsofwit
|
Jun 24 @ 6:38PM
|
|
This is up to the individual states to legislate as they have. I think that if this is true, the Supreme Court would throw it out. I can explain, with cited references, but don't want want to bother on a small social networking site  
|
|
40DWM
|
Jun 24 @ 7:01PM
|
|
|
What ^he^ Wrote.
|
|
sugarnspice005
|
Jun 24 @ 7:29PM
|
|
Michigan just enacted a "no texting" law not too long ago.
Like I said in another blog, I'm tired of this "nanny state" b.s. by our government.
This is something individual states should be taking care of. It seems those in D.C have forgotten that.
|
|
somnium
|
Jun 24 @ 7:37PM
|
|
The states are already equipped to impose financial and/or incarceration penalties for most any infraction against their vehicular laws already on the books and have been for decades! The states can simply add a couple more laws regarding cell phone use while driving. More funds for the states, less for the feds- less power to Unky Sam too!
IMO, this is just another chip out of our freedoms and transfer of more wealth to the government- both under the guise of 'protecting' its citizens!
|
|
Wordsofwit
|
Jun 24 @ 7:53PM
|
|
|
That's what I'm afraid of. Once the federal government starts enacting laws, they find ways to enact more restrictions in with the law(s).
Where the feds clout is, is in highway funding. The Interstate system was set up during the Eisenhower years with a 90/10 revenue split. I may be wrong, but where the threat of the funding being withdrawn by the feds first arose was when Nixon imposed the national 55 MPH speed limit. Bottom line, this is nothing new 
|
|
StraddleMyNose
|
Jun 24 @ 7:58PM
|
|
|
Bottom line, this is nothing new I know. They pulled this back in 1986 with Arizona concerning the Martin Luther King holiday.
|
|
onehornytoad69
|
Jun 24 @ 10:22PM
|
|
It all Started with... Not Praying in Schools.... then it was on to Smoking!! Some non Prayers/Smokers..wanted it their way....  WE let them have it!!! 
That Welcomed in all this!!!
Its only gonna get worse!!! 
Though Cell phones suck.....while Driving! PPL need to wake the fuck up!!! Blue tooth's are less than 20 bucks here!!!   
My 2 Cents!!! 
|
|