Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) applauded the stance taken today by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, that no one should drive while talking on a cell phone.  Even with a hands-free device, Secretary LaHood said there is still a “cognitive distraction” which can lead to tragedy.  Rep. Engel is the author of the Distracted Driving Prevention Act (HR 3994), which seeks to eliminate the dangerous practices of driving while texting, e-mailing or talking on a non-hands-free cell phone.  Rep. Engel’s legislation is identical to a measure introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV).

“My legislation is an important springboard to being able to accomplish what Secretary LaHood is talking about.  The 5,500 people killed last year due to distracted driving cannot be brought back, nor could the injuries sustained by over half a million people be forgotten, but perhaps we can begin removing these dangers one a time until our roads are safer for everyone,” said Rep. Engel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that in 2008, almost 20 percent of all crashes involved some type of distraction.  “We all use one or more electronic devices as part of our daily lives.  But these devices require our full attention, and clearly remove the focus of a driver from where it should be – on the road.  This not only puts the driver and passengers at risk, but risks the lives of other motorists and pedestrians as well,” added Rep. Engel.

Rep. Engel’s legislation would fund driver education and highway signage, two programs instrumental in reducing driving under the influence (DUI) incidents, and increasing the use of seat belts.   The “click it, or ticket” campaign on seat belt use accomplished a great deal towards providing awareness to the dangers of driving without a seat belt.  My legislation works towards a similar goal.”

Other statistics regarding distracted driving – which can be found, along with other information at www.distraction.gov:

• Inexperienced drivers under 20 years of age have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes
• Drivers using hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves
• Using a cell phone while driving – hand-held or hands-free – delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.

Rep. Engel added, “You think it would be common sense to focus on your driving.  However, we all know that is not the case, and this legislation would simply help save lives.  I urge my colleagues to support it.”

The bill would also create a national advertising campaign, administered by the NHTSA, to educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving.  While texting is the most disturbing method of distracted driving because it requires the driver to be involved visually, manually and cognitively, other potentially dangerous practices include:

• Using a cell phone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a PDA or navigation system
• Watching a video
• Changing the radio station, CD or Mp3 player.

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