House Committee tackles distracted driving

Today I went back to Congress to talk about distracted driving.

Distracted driving poses a serious danger on our roadways. And I have made it my cause to reduce that danger. So, more talk about distracted driving? You bet.

Before I went to the House, I stopped by CSPAN to visit with the viewers and listeners of Washington Journal. The great thing about that program is the interaction it allows; anyone who wants to can call in and respond or pose questions to the host and guest. I was glad to hear from a lot of folks this morning--not all of whom agreed with me. Watch a replay at CSPAN.org.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee wanted information on the dangers of distracted driving, and I was more than willing to talk to them about this epidemic. You can hear what I said on the Committee's website.

Basically, I wanted the Committee and everyone to know that our research shows that nearly 6,000 people died last year in crashes involving a distracted driver.

It's not acceptable to see the horrible results of this deadly practice and not want to do something about it.

So, I welcome the House and the Senate's engagement on this issue. And I welcome the engagement of our State and local governments.

Together, we are going to reduce this threat to roadway safety. Together, we're going to get to the point where driving while distracted just feels wrong–-just as driving without a seat belt or driving while intoxicated feels wrong today.

Comments

[Michael E. Bailey]

This is great that the House and Senate are showing concern about distracted driving. It is more likely that something will happen to deal with it on the state level if not the federal level. It is time to greatly reduce and if possible stop this problem that has lead to at leat 6,000 deaths on U.S. highways last year. There are now breathalizers that install in the car and that if it detects alcohol it won't let the car start up. Maybe something could be fitted into cell phones where if it detects movement at the speed of a car on the road, it won't let the cell phone come on. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[bluenorway.org]

perhaps you should address distracted contracting and distracted policy making next, remember those distracted MARAD ghost ships in IHNC during Gustav, or your distracted contract review board for the same MARAD which so sincerely likes underhanded payoffs for bad contracts in violation of law and policy? Quite distracted I'd say.

[jewelry reviews]

It is time to greatly reduce and if possible stop this problem that has lead to at leat 6,000 deaths on U.S. highways last year. There are now breathalizers that install in the car and that if it detects alcohol it won't let the car start up.