In an effort to promote safe driving, President Obama has signed an Executive Order directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging while driving government-owned vehicles; when using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving; or while driving privately owned vehicles when they're on official government business. The order also encourages federal contractors and others doing business with the government to adopt and enforce their own policies banning texting while driving on the job. 

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood echoed the call for safer driving, saying “This order sends a very clear signal to the American public that distracted driving is dangerous and unacceptable. It shows that the federal government is leading by example. I fully expect that all 58,000 DOT employees and contractors will take this order seriously. Let's show our friends and families that we can resist the temptation to answer the phone, send a message, or allow some other distraction to interfere with our driving.”

Secretary LaHood pledged to work with Congress to ensure that the issue of distracted driving is appropriately addressed.  He also announced a number of immediate actions the Department is taking to combat distracted driving, including the Department's plan to create three separate rulemakings that would consider:

• Making permanent restrictions on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices in rail operations.

• Banning text messaging altogether, and restrict the use of cell phones by truck and interstate bus operators.

• Disqualifying school bus drivers convicted of texting while driving, from maintaining their commercial driver's licenses.

“Keeping Americans safe is without question the federal government's highest priority – and that includes safety on the road, as well as on mass transit and rail,” said Secretary LaHood.  “I'm greatly encouraged by the work accomplished at this summit. Working together, we're going to make sure that traveling in America is as safe as it can possibly be and I strongly encourage the public to take personal responsibility for their behavior and show a healthy respect for the rules of the road.” 

More Resources on Safe Driving from the Cell Phone Laws & Policies Center

News Articles

• State Comparison Chart on Restrictions on Cell Phone Use While Driving
• Washington Bans Cell Phone Use While Driving
• California Passes Cell Phone Law
• Former Lawyer Ordered to Pay $2M in Cell-Phone Case

Sample Policies

• Cellular Telephone Policy I
• Cellular Telephone Policy II

Training Meeting

• Driving with Cell Phones (Word)