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Feds call summit on texting, other distractions while driving

Aug. 4, 2009 | 4:46 pm No comments

Associated Press reports that the Obama administration will convene a summit of experts to figure out what to do about the problem of texting while driving, a practice studies and a growing number of accidents show can be deadly.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will announce his decision to gather senior transportation officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives, members of Congress and academics who study distracted driving at a news conference Tuesday. The summit will take place next month.

If it were up to him, he would ban texting while driving, LaHood said in prepared remarks released by his office.

However, past safety initiatives like seat belts have shown that a simple ban often isn’t enough to get drivers to change their habits unless it’s accompanied by education and enforcement, he said.

“When we are done, I expect to have a list of concrete steps to announce,” LaHood said.

Read the full story here.

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