Federal Funds Tied to Distracted Driving Laws

(Washington, DC -- Todd Zwillich, Transportation Nation)  Lawmakers in Washington are moving to withhold federal highway funds to states that don't crack down on distracted driving.

A new bill introduced today would dock 25% of annual federal aid from states that don't enact or enforce distracted driving laws. The bill goes by the catchy handle, "The Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act", or ALERT Act.

The bill orders the Department of Transportation to withhold the money from any state that doesn't prohibit an operator of a motor vehicle from writing, sending, or reading a text message or using a hand-held mobile telephone except in an emergency. It excludes vehicle-integrated, voice-activated devices that can be operated hands-free. States would also have to require the imposition of certain minimum penalties for distracted driving rule-breakers.

"There is no reason for any life to be lost due to distracted driving. We are a smart nation and the technology is available, we just need to put it to work to save lives,” Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), the bill's chief sponsor, said in a release.

Thirty-one states currently ban texting while driving, according to AAA. Thirty-two outlaw teens from using cell phones while driving, while far fewer ban all hand-held cell phone use.

The bill comes just days before DOT is set to convene its second "Distracted Driving Summit" next Tuesday. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood has made distracted driving a top priority, saying all states should move to curb it. Several months ago LaHood publicly embarrassed a pair of lobbying firms when they tried to rally cell service carriers and other companies in a campaign to undermine distracted driving awareness campaigns at DOT.