Cell Phones and Driver Distractions To Be Focus of Transportation Committee
Hearing
To: National Desk/Transportation Reporter
Date: May 4, 2001
Cell Phones And Other Driver Distractions
To Be Focus Of Congressional Hearing
Washington, DC - Experts will testify before a Congressional subcommittee
next week about the use of electronic devices, such as cellular phones, in
automobiles and their potential to distract drivers.
The U.S. House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit hearing is
scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9 in 2167 Rayburn House
Office Building. A live audio broadcast of the hearing will be available on
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee website:
www.house.gov/transportation <http://www.house.gov/transportation>
Expected Witnesses
- Mr. Bob Shelton, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Mr. Mark Edwards, American Automobile Association
- Dr. Jane Stutts, The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research
Center
- Mr. Tom Wheeler, Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association
- Dr. Harold Worrall, Intelligent Transportation Society of America
- Ms. Patricia Pena, Advocates for Cell Phone Safety
- Dr. Thomas Dingus, VA Tech Transportation Institute
Background
The Department of Transportation estimates that driver distractions are a
contributing factor in 20 to 30 percent of traffic accidents. However, what
constitutes a distraction is difficult to define and the number of accidents
caused is difficult to quantify accurately. Presently, few states collect
the basic data necessary to understand the scale of this issue and the
specific distractions that constitute the greatest problem.
Ever since the advent of radios in automobiles, there has been concern with
driver distractions. In addition to radios, wireless phones, videophones,
checking e-mail, receiving faxes, and operating satellite-based navigation
systems are potential driver distractions. Even eating, shaving or applying
makeup, disciplining children, reading, and reaching for something while
driving are potential distractions.
Wireless Phone Use
Today, the public's concern with wireless phone safety has risen with the
tremendous growth in wireless phone use. An estimated 150 million Americans
own wireless phones and it has been reported in a survey that 85% of the
wireless telephone users have used their phones while driving.
A number of State and local legislatures are now considering laws to ban
hand-held wireless phone use by drivers. Supporters of such laws feel that
driving with a phone is a serious risk to public safety. Opponents argue
that a new law would be difficult to enforce consistently and that reckless
and careless driving laws already allow the police to stop inattentive
drivers. Others point out the benefits of wireless phones in assisting
stranded drivers, and reporting accidents and impaired drivers.
Since states and municipalities enact and enforce traffic laws, it has been
argued that a federal statute would not be appropriate. However, it is
appropriate for NHTSA and non-governmental institutions to continue and
increase nationwide research into the issue.
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