Resources Safety Related Articles States Voice Support of Federal Anti-Texting Bill
States Voice Support of Federal Anti-Texting Bill PDF Print E-mail
Written by Staff   
Friday, 14 August 2009 00:00
The association representing state student transportation directors said in a letter to senators this week that the new federal legislation they sponsored that seeks to outlaw texting while driving is critical for overall highway safety.

The Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act of 2009, or the ALERT Drivers Act, was introduced on July 30 and was recently published in the Federal Register. If passed by Congress and signed by President Obama, it would prohibit all drivers, including those of school buses, from texting via cell phones or other electronic devices amid recent high-profile crashes involving commuter trains caused by the distracting behavior.

The National Transportation Safety Board for years has moved for cell phone usage bans by motorcoach and school bus drivers except in emergencies.

“Many of our members’ states have adopted legislation prohibiting the practice,” wrote NASDPTS. “We believe it is important to limit distractions to any motorist, especially inattention arising from the use of cell phones and texting devices. These devices must not be used while actively operating motor vehicles.”

NASDPTS added that the ALERT Act reinforces existing training, laws and compliance governing the school transportation industry regarding distracted driving, and it added that a law would increase the safety of teens who drive themselves and other students to and from school in private vehicles.
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