The dangers of distracted driving are irrefutable, but drivers are not changing their behavior. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood yesterday announced that distracted driving-related crashes claimed nearly 5500 lives in 2009. Secretary LaHood calls the current state of texting while driving an epidemic. A recent Orange County Auto Club study found that 2.7% of motorists were observed texting at any time – twice as many as when the statewide law banning texting behind the wheel went into effect in January of 2009. The penalty for texting behind the wheel in California is $20, with no points assessed to the driver’s record. Does the law need to be strengthened in order to change people’s habits? What are your texting habits while driving?
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U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood