The National Transportation Safety Board announced this week that the inattentive driving of a 19-year-old was responsible for his own death and the death of a student in a school bus. The investigation into the horrific multi-vehicle accident revealed that the 19-year-old, whose vehicle started the deadly chain reaction, had texted 11 times in the 11 minutes before the crash. The crash is one of many this year that the board has linked to cell phone use.

In response, the NTSB issued a statement recommending that states ban the use of cell phones while driving. Texting, talking, emailing and surfing are all too dangerous for someone behind the wheel. The ban should extend to hands-free use, as well, though GPS systems and other devices that enhance safety would be exempt, the agency said.

This isn't the first time the NTSB has addressed cell phones and their role in motor vehicle accidents. In September, the board recommended that cell phone use be prohibited for truckers. The difference between truckers and drivers, of course, is that trucking companies can dictate rules for their drivers -- bans on texting, surfing the web and so on are the discretion of private enterprises.

For citizens, though, the burden of making and enforcing these laws falls on state and local government. While some cities in the state have instituted bans, South Carolina is one of only a handful of states that have no restrictions on cell phone use and driving. Other states have addressed the issue in a variety of ways:

  • 35 states and the District of Columbia prohibit texting while driving.
  • 9 states and the District of Columbia bar the use of all hand-held devices while driving.
  • 30 states prohibit beginning drivers' use of cell phones.

Even with the laws in place, enforcement is a problem. The NTSB recognized this and added a recommendation that states step up enforcement efforts. That may be easier in states where cell phone use while driving is a primary offense -- law enforcement can pull a driver over just for talking on the phone -- but studies have shown that most drivers aren't deterred.

Several proposals are currently in front of the South Carolina General Assembly. The NTSB's recommendation may move one or more forward when the legislature reconvenes in January.

Source: Post & Courier, "NTSB recommends banning all phone use by drivers," Joan Lowy, Dec. 14, 2011