State Highway Safety Officials: Hang Up and Drive

Statement for Attribution to Vernon F. Betkey, Jr., Chairman of the Governors
Highway Safety Association (GHSA)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Governors Highway Safety
Association applauds the National Safety Council (NSC) for taking a strong
stand against cell phone use while driving. The NSC has a long history of
safety advocacy, and GHSA looks forward to working with the NSC to educate
drivers on the dangers of distracted driving.

While the effectiveness of banning cell phone use is subject to debate, what
is not debatable is that using ANY type of cell phone is distracting to
drivers. Numerous studies have concluded that hands-free phone use does not
mitigate crash risk. In a study released last year by Carnegie Mellon
University, researcher Marcel Just stated that listening to a cell phone while
driving can reduce by 37 percent the amount of brain activity associated with
driving. This can cause drivers to weave out of their lane, based on the
performance of subjects using a driving simulator. Just last month, another
study from the University of Utah reaffirmed that hands-free phones are as
distracting as handheld models.

While GHSA does not support a legislative ban on all cell phone use for all
drivers, the Association continues to support a "no-use" message when it comes
to cell phones and driving. GHSA specifically recommends that:

-- States ban all non-emergency cell phone use/text messaging for new
drivers as well as school bus drivers. Presently, only 17 state states
and the District of Columbia have enacted these laws.
-- States include a category for cell phone/electronic equipment
distraction on crash investigation forms. Currently, 29 states collect
this information.
-- The federal government funds a media campaign to alert the public to
the
dangers of distracted driving. The federal government also should
continue funding research about distracted driving and examine the
effectiveness of laws and other countermeasures. The Association
appreciates the federal leadership on this issue.
-- The private sector takes a leadership role. As such, employers should
prohibit text messaging and the use of cell phones and other
electronic
devices when driving except in emergency situations.

A detailed chart listing state-by-state cell phone laws is located online at
http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html.

GHSA's policy position on distracted driving is located online at
http://ghsa.org/html/issues/dist.driv.policy.html.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association
representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for
the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national
policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their
Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement
state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit
www.ghsa.org.

SOURCE Governors Highway Safety Association

Kara Macek of Governors Highway Safety Association, +1-202-789-0942, ext. 14,
cell: +1-202-669-9746, kmacek@ghsa.org