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Oct. 1, 2009

There's been a lot of pressure lately from Congressmen and other law makers for a nationwide ban on texting while driving, and now some wireless carriers are lending a helping hand.

Verizon Wireless is reiterating its long-term support for a texting while driving ban, saying there should be state and federal legislation to completely ban texting and e-mailing while driving any type of vehicle.

The statement was timed to coincide with the start of the Transportation Department’s first-ever Distracted Driving Summit.

"Because using wireless devices while driving can distract drivers, we wholeheartedly support the Department of Transportation and RITA as they delve into this important topic, share best-practices and consider policy options,” said Steven Zipperstein, Verizon Wireless vice president and general counsel, in a statement.

He added "if some think that talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous, just imagine for a minute how reading a small screen and then typing on a tiny keyboard while driving a motor vehicle can be hazardous not just to yourself but to other citizens. The whole thing is simply crazy."

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is a fervent supporter of a texting while driving ban but says more than legislation is needed to address the problem. LaHood proposes the U.S. government takes a coordinated approach that combines both education and enforcement.

The issue of texting while driving is expected to get top billing at the Distracted Driving Summit, which starts today. The summit brings together senior transportation officials, elected officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives, Congressmen, private sector representatives and academics to examine the best way to deal with distracted driving.

A ban on texting while driving was recently proposed by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in the ALERT Act and has gathered widespread industry support from the likes of CTIA and AT&T.

Verizon also has been a long-term supporter of state-wide legislation requiring drivers to use hands-free devices such as a Bluetooth while talking and driving.

The wireless carrier’s own policies require employees to use hands-free devices if they choose to talk on their mobile phones while driving and forbid texting and e-mailing while driving.

In addition, Verizon Wireless has been credited by California State Assemblyman Joe Simitian with helping him enact the nation's first statewide texting ban.

Recently, the Automobile Club of Southern California said street surveys show California's ban on in-vehicle text messaging appears to have influenced driver behavior in a positive way so far this year.

Preliminary results indicate that in-vehicle text messaging has declined significantly in the seven months after the law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009.

The decline clearly indicates that a state-wide texting ban can potentially change driving behavior of motorists, reduce dangerous driving while distracted and greatly improve safety, according to the Auto Club.

California's Auto Club says its study is the first to examine the effects of the state's texting new law and the only study conducted on a texting ban anywhere in the U.S.

Also, the NTSB put a recommendation on its list of most important safety measures. Industry and safety groups had no objections with that.

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Source: Verizon Wireless.