Position/Policy Statements
Cell Phone and Text Messaging Restrictions
The National Safety Council believes that it is the primary responsibility of the driver to operate a vehicle safely. Cognitive distraction occurs when a driver is concentrating on tasks other than the driving task. This activity degrades the driver’s performance. Consequently, all drivers should refrain from using cell phones (including hands-free units) and text messaging devices while driving. NSC recommends state laws banning the use of cell phones (including hands-free units) and text messaging devices while driving. NSC further believes that for a ban to be effective, a combination of public education, effective laws and a strong, visible and ongoing enforcement component also must be implemented. Further, NSC recommends that:
- Employers issue written company policies that prohibit all employees from using such devices, with or without hands-free units, while driving on company business, except in emergency situations. All employers should establish written policies supporting the ban on such devices.
- The company policy also should educate employees to the risks associated with driving and utilizing wireless devices. NSC further recommends that all employers re-evaluate their business practices and re-engineer their processes to maximize compliance with the policy.
- NSC calls on the scientific, traffic safety, and law enforcement communities to continue to identify ways to collect relevant data, document, and evaluate the effectiveness of related laws. The NSC recognizes that strong laws, visibly enforced, are the strongest deterrents to unsafe behavior on streets and highways. The NSC is also concerned that some laws (such as hands-free laws) may not reduce crashes or injuries and can be counter-productive if these laws result in an increase in the number of calls motorists engage in while driving. Any increase in cell phone/text messaging use while driving will increase exposure to the hazard of distracted driving and will increase crashes and injuries.
Under 21 Drinking and Driving
In 1984, the Uniform Drinking Age Act was passed mandating all states to adopt 21 as the legal drinking age. By 1988, all states had set 21 as the minimum legal drinking age. This law has been responsible for saving about 900 lives per year and a reduction of alcohol consumption among America's youth. The National Safety Council supports the minimum drinking age of 21 and opposes any attempt to lower this age and reaffirms the need for Federal sanctions for states that violate this provision.
Support of Automated Enforcement
The National Safety Council recognizes that speeding, running red lights, ignoring school and work zones and railroad crossing warnings annually result in more than 15,000 deaths, hundreds of thousands of serious injuries, societal costs of at least $54 billion and immeasurable grief for American families. The National Safety Council supports the use of automated enforcement of red lights and speed limits solely for its safety benefit. Prior to implementing automated enforcement systems, NSC encourages communities and states to adopt best practices for their use, including engineering, maintenance, calibration, yellow light timing, testing, camera placement and use of photos only for traffic safety and pursuit of criminal activity. Communities and states implementing automated enforcement also are encouraged to establish procedures to evaluate and improve effectiveness.
These position statements reflect the opinions of the National Safety Council but not necessarily those of each member organization.