Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In

Ray LaHood will announce today that his Department of Transportation plans to convene a summit next month for safety officials, lawmakers, academics, and law enforcement representatives to examine the risks of texting while driving.

texting_while_driving.jpg(Photo: GT Channel)

The summit comes on the heels of a new congressional proposal to prod states into bans on texting behind the wheel -- a bill inspired by researchers' recent finding that drivers are 23 tims more likely to crash while using messaging devices.

In a preview of his remarks to the AP, LaHood said that he would prefer to ban texting while driving right away, but that the nation's experience with seat belt laws shows a broad approach involving education and proper penalties needs to be part of the mix.

"When we are done" with the summit, LaHood said, "I expect to have a list of concrete steps to announce."

Verizon, the nation's largest wireless provider, is already backing the Senate bill to encourage state-level bans, though other carriers have stopped short of an endorsement.

The Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state road safety officials, remains opposed to broad bans on texting while driving, citing "the difficulty of enforcing such laws."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Monday’s Headlines Are Dragging Their Feet

The Trump administration claims the Biden administration left them with a backlog — but they've actually been far slower at getting transportation money to states than their predecessors, a new analysis finds.

July 14, 2025

These U.S. Communities’ So-Called ‘Complete Streets’ Policies Don’t Even Deserve the Name

Any city can call itself a "Complete Streets" champion. But not all of them are walking the walk — and if they don't, a top organization says they'll no longer give them a platform on its esteemed "best of" ranking.

July 14, 2025

Communities Rally To Reclaim Streets From ICE Terror

"This is an attack on Los Angeles. This is an attack on California. On all of us."

July 11, 2025

Friday Video: The London Neighborhood Where Bikes Outnumber Cars

...and how they got to that impressive milestone.

July 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Battle Galactus

Like the Marvel supervillain, U.S. interstate highway system seems to eat up everything in his path. A new book explores how to stop it.

July 11, 2025

New Report Shows Pedestrian Fatalities Drop — But Experts Say Not Enough

The Governors Highway Safety Association report showed a 4 percent drop in the number of pedestrian deaths last year, putting a slow on a dangerous trend — but advocates say the drop isn't nearly big enough.

July 11, 2025
See all posts