Transportation Agency Bans Employees from Using Cell Phone While Driving
September 8, 2009
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently banned all its employees from texting and chatting on cell phones while driving during their working hours or while doing a government business. Even in off-duty period, NTSB employees, including board of members, cannot use their government-issued wireless devices if they are behind the wheel.
In a conference held on Tuesday, NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman said the agency should adopt the same policy regarding on the cell phone use so that it will be able to set an example to the public.
While Hersman admitted that she relies on electronic devices like Blackberry, she said that using these put drivers at a great risk of accidents.
In 2006, the agency recommended to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prohibit school bus drivers and motor coach operators from using any electronic communication devices such as cell phones and PDAs.
In July, researchers from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) conducted a study to determine the correlation between texting behind the wheel and the rate of accident.
According to the result, drivers who are texting are 20 times more likely to crash compared to people who are not distracted by any electronic device.