National Ban on Personal Electronic Devices while Driving is Proposed

As if the Federal government was not already more intrusive into the lives of everyday citizens, the national Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now proposing that legislation be passed on a national level that would make the use of any personal electronic device while operating a vehicle illegal.

This recommendation follows an investigation by the NTSB of a fatal accident that occurred as the result of such usage in Missouri during 2010.  The NTSB chairperson, Deborah Hersman stated, “According to [the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration], more than three thousand people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents,” However, she did not mention whether all distractions came from the use of personal electronic devices.

Some would question if such a law would lead to legislation making radio listening, or even personal conversations with passengers illegal in the future.  While Federal agencies continue to move in a more restrictive manner towards the populace, the people at large, as well as many legislators continue to push back on such proposed laws.  Fortunately, the NTSB can only make recommendations for regulations but cannot implement them.

None-the-less, the recommendations of the NTSB are taken seriously by those who do have the power to enact legislation.  Currently, 35 states have bans on texting while driving.  While this may seem like common sense, we do not see laws on the books (in large scale) prohibiting people from eating, drinking, or applying makeup or shaving in most states.

Ray LaHood, the U.S. Transportation Secretary has placed the texting while driving and ‘distracted driving’ issue in the limelight by making it central to his position.  LaHood has gone so far as to say that those operating a moving vehicle should be required to put personal electronic devices, specifically cell phones in their glove compartments prior to engaging in the act of driving.

While everyone would agree with Hersman’s common sense statement, “No call.  No text.  No update.  Is worth a human life.”  Not all people believe that the right thing to do is to pass a law preventing people from making poor choices.