Rhode Island becomes 19th to ban texting while driving

Regardless of state laws, GHSA continues to urge drivers to hang up and drive.

The Trucker News Services

11/10/2009

WASHINGTON —Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri signed a law Nov. 9 banning all drivers from text messaging while driving, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The state became the 19th state with this law. In 2009, twelve new states have passed broad texting while driving bans, bringing the total to 19, plus the District of Columbia. As of December 2008, only seven states plus D.C. had enacted similar legislation.

GHSA expects this number to continue to grow quickly. According to GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha, “There's a tremendous amount of interest in addressing distracted driving at both the state and national levels. I expect an additional 20-25 states could pass this legislation within the next year.”

Regardless of state laws, GHSA continues to urge drivers to hang up and drive.

“Texting and conversations on a cell phone have been shown to greatly increase [the] risk of a crash. We need to restore some common sense to driving,” added Harsha.

Current state cell phone and text messaging bans as well as a variety of distracted driving background is posted here.

Barb Kampbell of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at barbkampbell@thetrucker.com.

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