The federal government crackdown on distracted driving

The federal government is taking a strong stand against what some consider a national epidemic: distracted driving.  Distracted driving includes activities like using a cell phone (with or without a hands-free device), sending or receiving text messages, programming a GPS, looking for songs on a music player and much more.

At a national Distracted Driving Summit this month, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined others in speaking out against this growing phenomenon.  Drivers who text, email, make calls or perform other distracting activities put their own lives and the lives of other motorists at risk.

Secretary LaHood quoted statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showing that distracted driving contributed to about 6,000 deaths on American roads last year and more than 500,000 were injured.

LaHood would like to see a permanent restriction on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by rail, truck, interstate and school bus drivers.  The Department of Transportation is expected to issue a directive calling for these permanent restrictions.

President Obama has taken action to reduce distracted driving among federal employees.  He signed an executive order directing federal employees not to text while driving government vehicles or while driving private vehicles on government business.