With U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood declaring drivers who text a “menace to society,” Maryland today inaugurates a new law that makes the activity illegal, punishable by a $500 fine.
Convening a two-day summit to draw attention to the problem of texting while driving, LaHood launched an effort that officials likened to the campaign a generation ago that stigmatized and penalized drunk driving.
‘‘To put it plainly, distracted driving is a menace to society,’’ LaHood said. ‘‘Distracted driving is an epidemic and it seems to be getting worse every year.’’
According to federal highway safety officials, nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driving distraction. Driver distraction was a factor in 16 percent of all fatal crashes in 2008.
Especially disturbing, the problem is concentrated among younger drivers who are more likely to text, and who lack experience behind the wheel. In a recent Zogby International poll, 66 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds said they have driven while text messaging.
The practice can be deadly. Sixteen percent of all under-20 drivers involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving, the government said.
LaHood said he would offer legislative recommendations this week that could lead to new restrictions on using the devices while driving. Congress is watching closely. Legislation introduced in July would require states to ban texting and e-mailing while driving, or lose 25 percent of their annual federal highway funding.
Maryland is already there. A law that takes effect today prohibits a person from writing or sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle in motion or in the travel portion of a roadway.
“Every one of us has a responsibility to drive safely, and taking your eyes off of the road to text is a recipe for disaster,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen
Studies show that texting while driving can have a similar effect on reaction time as driving impaired with a .16 percent Blood Alcohol Content. In July, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that when drivers of heavy trucks texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater.
Those who text and drive place not only themselves and their passengers at risk, but everyone else on the road. We repeat LaHood's refrain: Texting while driving is clearly a menace to society.
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With U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood declaring drivers who text a “menace to society,” Maryland today inaugurates a new law that makes the activity illegal, punishable by a $500 fine.
Convening a two-day summit to draw attention to the problem of texting while driving, LaHood launched an effort that officials likened to the campaign a generation ago that stigmatized and penalized drunk driving.
‘‘To put it plainly, distracted driving is a menace to society,’’ LaHood said. ‘‘Distracted driving is an epidemic and it seems to be getting worse every year.’’
According to federal highway safety officials, nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driving distraction. Driver distraction was a factor in 16 percent of all fatal crashes in 2008.
Especially disturbing, the problem is concentrated among younger drivers who are more likely to text, and who lack experience behind the wheel. In a recent Zogby International poll, 66 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds said they have driven while text messaging.
The practice can be deadly. Sixteen percent of all under-20 drivers involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving, the government said.
LaHood said he would offer legislative recommendations this week that could lead to new restrictions on using the devices while driving. Congress is watching closely. Legislation introduced in July would require states to ban texting and e-mailing while driving, or lose 25 percent of their annual federal highway funding.
Maryland is already there. A law that takes effect today prohibits a person from writing or sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle in motion or in the travel portion of a roadway.
“Every one of us has a responsibility to drive safely, and taking your eyes off of the road to text is a recipe for disaster,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen
Studies show that texting while driving can have a similar effect on reaction time as driving impaired with a .16 percent Blood Alcohol Content. In July, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that when drivers of heavy trucks texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater.
Those who text and drive place not only themselves and their passengers at risk, but everyone else on the road. We repeat LaHood's refrain: Texting while driving is clearly a menace to society.
