Jun 24, 2011, 8:00am ET

Feds move to make holding cell phone while driving illegal nationwide

States and local municipalities are apparently not moving fast enough for one Congresswoman who recently introduced a bill that would enact a national ban.

Although many states and local municipalities have already enacted laws to prohibit drivers using phones without a hands-free device, there are still many states without any such laws and at least one Congresswoman is looking to change that.



A bill known as the Safe Drivers Act of 2011, introduced by House of Representatives member Carolyn McCarthy, a Democrat from New York, would create a national standard regarding the use of cellular phones while operating a motor vehicle, according to the Detroit Free Press.



So far the bill has only been introduced in the House, but if it continues on to the Senate it would specifically disallow drivers from holding a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, with only a few very select exceptions that would involve emergencies.



"Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common," said McCarthy. "With some basic common-sense rules that are already in place in some parts of the country, we can reduce injuries and save lives in America."



Just two years ago, nearly 5,500 people in the U.S. died due to distracted driving, said McCarthy, a number that the representative hopes to change with her new bill. The bill would also lay groundwork for a new two-year study aimed at determining the effects of all cell phone use while driving - including hands-free use with Bluetooth devices.



Once the findings are released, Congress could then make further determinations regarding additional usage bans.





References

1.'U.S. House bill...' view





