Public employees will not be allowed to text while driving, according to a decree signed Wednesday night by President Obama.The order includes public employees when they use government-provided cars or mobile phones, and when they use their mobile phones and cars to perform government business. Separately, the federal government plans to ban SMS among bus drivers and truckers who travel across state lines, and may also exclude them from using mobile phones while drivin
g except in an emergency. Ray H. LaHood, the transport secretary, announced those and several other measures on Thursday aimed at limiting what he called a deadly epidemic of distracted driving. He made his announcement at a conference in Washington that included 300 academics, law enforcement, regulators, telecom and automotive industry representatives and family members of people killed by motorists who talked on cell phones or text messaging. "This meeting is probably the most important meeting in the history of the Department of Transportation," Mr. LaHood said at the end of the two-day conference. He added that to restrict text messages from public officials behind the wheel "sends a very clear signal to the American public that distracted driving is dangerous and unacceptable." A spokeswoman for the Transportation Department said the order came into force immediately and involved 4.5 million public servants, including military personnel.
For further information on visit: http://www.theledger.com/article/20091002/ZNYT01/910023007/1001/BUSINESS?Title=Texting-While-Driving-Banned-for-Federal-Staff
g except in an emergency. Ray H. LaHood, the transport secretary, announced those and several other measures on Thursday aimed at limiting what he called a deadly epidemic of distracted driving. He made his announcement at a conference in Washington that included 300 academics, law enforcement, regulators, telecom and automotive industry representatives and family members of people killed by motorists who talked on cell phones or text messaging. "This meeting is probably the most important meeting in the history of the Department of Transportation," Mr. LaHood said at the end of the two-day conference. He added that to restrict text messages from public officials behind the wheel "sends a very clear signal to the American public that distracted driving is dangerous and unacceptable." A spokeswoman for the Transportation Department said the order came into force immediately and involved 4.5 million public servants, including military personnel.For further information on visit: http://www.theledger.com/article/20091002/ZNYT01/910023007/1001/BUSINESS?Title=Texting-While-Driving-Banned-for-Federal-Staff
