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Verizon, Sprint support texting-while-driving ban
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Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel announced support for new legislation that bans texting and emailing while driving. Specifically, Verizon Wireless said that it supports the House of Representative's ALERT Driver's Act (H.R. 3535), which was recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.).
The Tier 1 carriers said they support both federal and state legislation banning both texting and emailing while driving. While Verizon initially said that it was the only carrier to support this type of legislation, Sprint quickly countered with a statement of support as well. "Sprint supports state legislation which bans texting while driving and we support federal legislation which does the same. Distracted driving is dangerous and as research shows, texting while driving is extremely dangerous. We look forward to working with legislators interested in taking this step," said Vonya McCann, senior vice president of government affairs at Sprint.
But Sprint and Verizon aren't alone. Tier 2 carrier Cellular South in March announced that it had joined a bipartisan coalition in Mississippi to support a bill that would restrict cell phone texting while driving by teenagers. That ban prohibits 15- and 16-year-old motorists with drivers' licenses or temporary learning permits from texting while driving.
Meanwhile, AT&T has put its efforts behind educating consumers about the dangers associated with texting while driving. The company last month announced it would revise its policies for employees to prohibit texting while driving, and also would put warnings on handsets for sale in its stores about the dangers of texting and driving. Finally, the carrier is producing a series of public service announcements to discourage the activity.
In August, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood threw his support behind a proposed nationwide ban on texting while driving.
For more:
- see this release
Related Articles:
Transportation Secretary supports ban on texting while driving
Cellular South supports texting while driving ban
Senators seek nationwide ban on texting while driving
Comments
Posted by Anonymous | October 15, 2009 - 9:09am
Are you freaking kidding me? Texting and e-mailing only, I believe that anything not directly connected to driving should be banned. I am a biker and I have to be constantly on the lookout for anybody not primarily focused on driving. You wouldn't believe the things that I have seen going on during my daily commute to work. All I can say is it's a wonder there aren't more accidents that there already are. But, it's hard to enforce the laws when I have seen Law Enforcement Officer's talking on cell phones and driving,too. Multi-tasking and driving, like alcohol doesn't mix well together. That's my .02!
Posted by Danny | October 16, 2009 - 2:46pm
And if the LEOs will have to look for all this 'distracting' behavior, they will themselves be distracted and be dangerous. Use common sense all...
Posted by the dude | October 20, 2009 - 7:54pm
Rep. McCarthy, since teenagers are often distracted by their friends in the backseat, why don't you pass a law require all cars made in the U.S. be retrofitted with a plexiglass sound-proof barrier betwween the front and back seats?
And honestly, something has to be done about standard-transmission cars. I mean, all those new drivers taking one hand off the wheel at an alarmingly frequent rate, especially in city driving!
Posted by Anonymous | November 3, 2009 - 10:55am
Will cell phone companies keep records with times so law enforcement can see if people were texting while driving.
Posted by John Rob | December 27, 2009 - 12:16am
Distracted driving can kill the driver and others on the road. http://www.drivesafe.ly/ mobile application responds to my incoming text messages. When I relax I do not go across the room to read text messages.
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