Minn. lawmakers study dangers of distracted driving

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota lawmakers aren't ready to ban cell phones in cars outright, but they're gathering information about the dangers of distracted driving. That's what drew safety advocates and wireless industry executives to a joint meeting Wednesday of the House and Senate transportation committees.

"Try taking a cell phone from a 16-year-old and see the reaction you get," Dave Teater of the National Safety Council told legislators, "It's almost like taking a drug away from an addict."

Teater conceded that he was once a heavy "cell phone driver" in his job as a researcher for the automotive industry. That all changed in 2004 when his own son was killed by a distracted driver who ran a red light while talking on a cell phone.

"Witnesses in the bus and the car saw her talking on her phone and looking straight out the windshield. Not looking down, not texting, not dialing, looking straight out the windshield," Teater explained.

"The crash recorder on her vehicle says she never hit the brakes. She hit the blue car at 48 miles an hour.  The resulting crash killed a 12-year-old boy, and that boy was my son Joe."

The Teater family took that grief and turned it into public awarenesss efforts, including the recently launched the Focus Driven organization to promote cell-free driving. Dave Teater has made the transition himself, and he's looking forward to watching what happens to accident statistics if any major city or state bans use of the devices while driving.

"I believe people are going to find out what I found out, that I'm still getting my business done," Teater said, "I'm still staying in touch. I just more focused on my driving."

According to Minnesota's Office of Traffic Safety, between 2006 and 2008, there were 60,000 crashes in Minnesota blamed on driver inattention or distraction.  Those accidents claimed 200 lives.

Teater said it's difficult to accurately track cell phone involvement in accidents because most law enforcement agencies lack the time and resources to subpoena phone records for every single crash they investigate.  When police mark "distracted" or "inattentive" in a form it can cover a variety of behaviors.

The Minnesota State Patrol and AAA Auto Club say those distractions included eating, drinking, reading and interacting with GPS mapping devices.   Gail Weinholzer of the AAA said what's needed more than anything is a shift in values in society to take driving more seriously.

"People believe what they do in their cars on public roadways is their right," Weinholzer said, "Unfortunately what they don't understand is the part of the phrase 'public roadways,' the fact their actions impact the lives and safety of others."

The wireless communications industry has opposed bans on cell phones, arguing that consumer education in far more effective in curbing that risky form of multi-tasking.  The president of A.T.&T. of Minnesota, Bob Bass, advanced that position in Wednesday's hearing.

"AT&T realizes that wireless phones, if used improperly, can be a distraction when driving," Bass said, "However, as we've heard, drivers may engage in a number of other potential other distractions behind the wheel. And we believe improving driving behavior can best be accomplished through education, and enforcement of laws that deter and penalize irresponsible driving regardless of that cause."

Bass also said the communications company plans to launch a series of public service announcements on national television next Monday, using some of the advertising slots A.T.&T. already has secured.

Legislation to punish distracted drivers who cause accidents didn't make it out of committees last year. Minnesota lawmakers in 2008 banned text-messaging, e-mailing and browsing the Internet while driving.

Mike McDermott of Verizon Wireless pointed out the company has supported bans on texting while driving, and restrictions on cell phone use for the youngest drivers on the roads. The cell phone giant is not supportive or a ban on the phones in cars.

"Verizon Wireless believes drivers must make the safe operation of their vehicle their primary focus while behind the wheel," McDermott told legislators, "And if drivers can not safely talk on a hands-free device we urge them not to make the call."

McDermott said the company is distributing brochures to customers reminding them of common sense cell phone safety rules.

"Step one is to know your phone and it's features such as speed dialing , voice recognition dialing and re-dial," McDermott said, quoting from the brochure.

"Step four is to let the person you're talking to know you're driving, and if possible suspend the call in heavy traffic."

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