President Obama recently signed an executive order banning texting while driving for federal workers.

 
Federal workers may not text while driving government cars or while driving if using a government-provided cell phone.  They may not text while driving using their own phones and cars to conduct government business.  This order takes effect immediately and covers 4.5 million federal workers, including military personnel.

 
United States Transportation Secretary LaHood announced this new law after a two day national conference focusing on distracted driving.  He called distractions such as texting and cell phone use a “menace to society.”  Last year, distracted driving was the major contributing factor to 5,870 road accident fatalities and a factor in 80% of car accidents.

 
Secretary LaHood also announced plans for legislation to ban texting and some non-emergency cell phone use by truck and bus drivers who cross state lines.  However, since truckers use a variety of devices to communicate with dispatchers, it will take some time to clarify exactly what this law means.

 
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced legislation to force states to ban texting while driving or lose federal highway funding.

 
Texting while driving is a safety risk, but there are many ways in which drivers can be distracted.  You can learn more about distracted driving in Georgia here.