Oct. 29, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America needs strong laws and a systematic approach to make the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving socially unacceptable, said Con-way Inc. Vice President of Government Affairs Randy Mullett today in a statement before the Subcommittee on Highway and Transit of the House of Representatives Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Testifying on behalf of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), Mullett said that some new technologies, particularly hand-held electronic devices, increase driver distraction. Results of Virginia Tech Transportation Institute's naturalistic driving study found that text messaging on a cell phone has an estimated combined crash and near-crash risk of 23 times higher than normal.
"Legislation alone will not solve the problem," said Mullett. "Public attitudes and perceptions will need to change and any legislation will have to apply to all drivers on the highway. We need to focus on changing behaviors that lead to distracted driving in a systematic and comprehensive manner." This can be done by:
-- Supporting research, data collection and analysis that reveal the degree
and extent of the problem;
-- Aiding efforts to communicate the need for change;
-- Promoting public education and awareness efforts;
-- Using technology to reduce distractions caused by technology;
-- Developing policy and, as necessary, legislation to drive change;
-- Supporting tough penalties and effective enforcement; and
-- Properly funding the above.
ATA and its member carriers support a ban on the use of electronic hand-held devices to read, write or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle. ATA's Executive Committee recently voted to support the ALERT Drivers Act of 2009 that would require states to ban the practice of reading, writing or sending a text message on a hand-held device while driving.
Mullett also said that hand-held electronic devices should not be confused with in-cab fleet communication systems used by motor carriers. ATA recommends that appropriate restrictions on the use of in-cab communication systems be addressed through a rulemaking by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, rather than by legislation.
Randy Mullett's entire testimony is available at: http://www.truckline.com/Newsroom/Pages/Testimony.aspx
The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.
SOURCE American Trucking Associations
