Distracted+Driving

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CURRENT NEWS ABOUT YOUR TOPIC
rss url="http://news.google.com/news?pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=distracted+driving+laws&cf=all&output=rss" link="true" number="10"

INTEREST GROUPS
//Groups that oppose restrictions against cell phones/texting while driving:// __Consumer Electronics Association__ - http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=7458 __Mywireless.org__ - http://www.mywireless.org/issues/view/safe-driving __New Lobbying Group Formed and then Dismantled__ - http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/lobbyists-try-to-reframe-distracted-driving-issue/ and http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/lobbyists-scrap-plans-for-distracted-driving-coalition/
 * You are welcome to look for other groups - this list may help you get started. **

//Neutral: Who can argue with safe driving habits?// __CTIA__ - http://www.ctia.org/advocacy/policy_topics/topic.cfm/TID/17 Joint project - CTIA and National Safety Council - public service announcement video - http://info.howcast.com/onroadoffphone

//Groups that support restrictions against cell phones/texting while driving:// __National Safety Council__ - http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/Distracted_Driving/Pages/distracted_driving.aspx __Focus Driven__ - http://www.focusdriven.org/index.aspx

HELPFUL INFORMATION
These New York Times articles talk about ways to use technology to stop distracted driving: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/technology/personaltech/29pogue.html?_r=1 and http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/technology/22distracted.html http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/technology/series/driven_to_distraction/index.html Senate bill: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1938/show and http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3994/actions http://www.focusdriven.org/index.aspx http://www.zerofatalities.com/ http://www.oprah.com/showinfo/Americas-New-Deadly-Obsession http://www.distraction.gov/stats-and-facts


 * COMPARISON TO FOOTBALL FIELD**: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2009/07/2009-571.html (scroll to 2nd paragraph of "Explanation of Findings" heading)

New federal pilot program: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/distracted-driving-federal-enforcement-pilot-program-begins/story?id=10377741&page=2

Comparing distracted driving to drunk driving: http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062206-1 Don't make more laws - really difficult to enforce: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/distracted-driving-summit-distracts-from-real-problems

MAINE SIMULATORS - http://www.wcsh6.com/driveforsafety/article/174622/142/Simulators-show-consequences-of-distracted-driving?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|t

New PSA ads aimed at teens: http://distraction.gov/teens/psa.html

STATISTICS/OPINION POLLS
[|October 2009 New York Times/CBS poll] on distracted driving - and another link http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/23/opinion/polls/main5415766.shtml [|PBS - Interactive map] + interesting story about challenges with enforcing laws [|PBS - better map of distracted driving laws] - plus story about meeting of state safety officials - "Should Drivers Hang Up?" http://www.gallup.com/poll/4669/Public-Favors-Ban-Use-Cellular-Phones-While-Driving.aspx

Let's talk about how to approach this assignment, since this topic is so new! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/04/san-francisco-cell-phone-lawsuit_n_994491.html
 * JUDICIAL BRANCH**

Really helpful overview: http://public.findlaw.com/traffic-ticket-violation-law/traffic-ticket-a-z/distracted-driving%281%29.html

LEGISLATION
IMPORTANT! - PROPOSED FEDERAL LEGISLATION • [|Listen/read interview] with Ray LaHood (Pres. Obama's Transportation Secretary) about a proposed new **federal** law on distracted driving. September 2010.
 * • Here is a summary of the bill introduced by Sen. Shumer of New York:** Known as the Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act (“ALERT Drivers” Act)—would require states to bar the sending of text or email messages while operating a car or truck or light rail, or else risk losing federal highway funds. Within six months of the bill’s passage, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will establish minimum penalties that must be contained within the state law. States then have two years to pass compliant bans or else risk losing 25% of their annual federal highway finding per year that they fail to comply with the law. States that comply after the two-year deadline can retroactively recover lost highway funds. Source: http://schumer.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=318484&

http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=108672 and texting law: http://www.wmtw.com/news/28006106/detail.html and http://www.mpbn.net/News/MPBNNews/tabid/1159/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3762/ItemId/18206/Default.aspx
 * Maine Law:**

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2009/12/20/nh_texting_while_driving_ban_takes_effect_jan_1/
 * New Hampshire Law:**

National Institute for Highway Safety if you scroll down to the bottom, it has really good maps of different bans [|Governors Highway Safety Association] - cell phone and texting laws and overall [|laws by state]
 * State laws:**