California Bns Txtng While Driving

Texting while driving found to be deadliest distraction

(NEWSER) - A first-of-its-kind study has found that sending and receiving text messages is the deadliest distraction for drivers by far, the New York Times reports. The study, which involved cameras in the cabs of long-haul trucks, found that texting raised a driver's risk of collision a whopping 23 times, putting it "in its own universe of risk," according to the chief researcher. More»

Executive order is part of larger push against distracted driving

(NEWSER) - Federal employees are now forbidden from sending text messages while driving on government business or operating government vehicles. The new executive order, signed by President Obama last night, also encourages executive agencies to adopt texting bans for contractors, reports ABC. "To put it plainly, distracted driving is a menace to society," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at a summit on the issue. More»

Woman who slammed into victim at 70 mph said phone wasn't involved

(NEWSER) - A UK woman who sent more than 20 text messages while driving before crashing into a stopped car and killing another motorist has been sentenced to 21 months in jail, the Times reports. Philippa Curtis, 21, said she was not using the phone when she plowed into Victoria McBryde at 70 mph in 2007 and was able to text while keeping her eyes on the road. More»

(NEWSER) - California is beefing up its distracted-driving laws, DailyTech reports, with a ban on adults texting while at the wheel going into effect Jan. 1. The state instituted a hands-free law in July, at the same time prohibiting teen drivers from texting and driving; the new law extends to adults, and allows police to cite drivers they believe to be reading or writing texts, with a minimum fine of $20. More»

Docs see danger while driving—or walking

(NEWSER) - The steep rise in text-messaging is being matched by a steep rise in people not paying enough attention to what they're doing, the New York Times reports. Fatal accidents involving distracted texters are on the rise and a group of emergency room doctors has issued a stern warning against attempting to send texts while performing other activities. More»