EKB News

The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing this week to discuss the effects of cell phone use on drivers. U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller who represents West Virginia told members of the committee that it's time drivers hang up the phone and drive, saying vehicles with distracted drivers are deadly weapons. As Rockefeller, chairman of the committee, introduced the Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2009, the Senator said distracted drivers are putting their passengers lives, as well as lives of everyone on the road, at risk. He says, "That is not their right." Legislation has been introduced which, if approved, would create a program to provide grants to states that enact a ban on texting while driving and those that require drivers using a cell phone while behind the wheel to use a hands-free device. To qualify for a federal grant, violating limits on cell phone use while driving must be a primary offense, meaning a driver could be pulled over for that reason only. Under the proposal, those under the age of 18 years will not be allowed any cell phone use at all while driving.