the tabor blog

NTSB recommends that all cell phone use be banned while behind the wheel

This past Tuesday, December 13th, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unanimously recommended that all state governments should prohibit the use of portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, while behind the wheel. Although the NTSB does not make the law, they have a substantial influence on lawmakers across the country.

Their recommendation followed a hearing on a crash that happened on a Missouri highway on August 5th, 2010, which killed two people and injured 38. The chain reaction crash involving four vehicles, including two school busses, resulted from a teen driver texting behind the wheel. In the 11 minutes before the crash, the teen sent 11 different text messages. It was unclear whether the crash was a result of him sending, receiving or viewing a text, but the clear cause of the accident was distracted driving from the use of a cell phone.

The NTSB is now urging all states to ban any use of a hand held phone while behind the wheel. This recommendation is expected to spur debate amongst lawmakers, but the NTSB stands strong. The use of cell phones while driving is becoming increasingly dangerous.

USA Today has also reported that Indiana was one of five states with the highest increase in road fatalities from 2009 to 2010 following a recent NTSB study. In 2009 there were 693 fatalities on our roadways, while in 2010 we had 754. (source: ntsb.gov)

Tabor Law Firm has handled numerous cases involving fatalities on Indiana roadways, and recently represented a Kosciusko County sheriff who was killed when a distracted truck driver crossed the centerline on State Road 14 due to distracted driving. Investigation suggested that the truck driver was using his cell phone just prior to the accident.

Tabor Law Firm knows the dangers of becoming distracted by a cell phone while driving, and has experienced them first hand. We urge you to be carful on the roadways, and hope you will stress the importance of not using a cell phone while driving to your teenagers this holiday season.

We hope you never need us, but if you do, we’re here for you.

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