Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Secretary LaHood

Senior Dems Release New Distracted Driving Bill as LaHood Testifies

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) today unveiled his plan to take an incentive-based approach to distracted driving as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood testified on the Obama administration's campaign to end the use of electronic devices behind the wheel.

threatlevel_rockefeller_200x_3.jpgSenate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) (Photo: Wired)

Rockefeller's
bill, co-sponsored by three Republicans as well as Sen. Charles Schumer
(D-NY) -- who also backed a more punitive distracted driving bill
introduced in July
-- would set up a grant program for states that pass laws barring
drivers from texting and requiring the use of a hands-free device for
cell phone users.

In order to qualify for grants, states would also have to ban
cell phone use entirely by drivers under age 18. In contrast to
Rockefeller's approach, the July Senate bill would encourage states to
act or risk losing a share of their federal highway funds.

As Rockefeller pointed out at the start of today's hearing, his legislation would not require any new spending:

The new grant programand advertising campaign would be paid for by redirecting unused surpluses fromthe current seat belt safety program.  So: no new costs. We should not have tomourn the tragic loss of any more precious lives needlessly cut short. It istime to bring a new sense of safety and shared responsibility to our roads.

You can check out a PDF summary of Rockefeller's bill right here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

New Metro Subway Railcars Started Service Today

Streetsblog got a special preview ride today. Have you ridden Metro's new "HR4000" heavy rail cars yet?

December 21, 2024

Metro Closes Out Last Round of Outreach on Underwhelming Vermont BRT Proposal

To truly improve conditions on Vermont, much more must be done

December 20, 2024

Cemeteries Push to Bury Forest Lawn Drive Safety Improvements

Forest Lawn and Mount Sinai reps call scaled-back city street improvements a "bad plan" and "permanent traffic disaster"

December 20, 2024
See all posts