NHTSA 30-16
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Contact: 202-366-9550, Public.Affairs@dot.gov
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released proposed guidelines today to help address driver distraction caused by mobile and other electronic devices in vehicles. Today’s announcement covers the second phase of voluntary guidelines to address driver distraction on U.S. roads. The first phase focused on devices or systems built into the vehicle at the time of manufacture.
- "As millions of Americans take to the roads for Thanksgiving gatherings, far too many are put at risk by drivers who are distracted by their cellphones," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx."These commonsense guidelines, grounded in the best research available, will help designers of mobile devices build products that cut down on distraction on the road."
- "NHTSA has long encouraged drivers to put down their phones and other devices, and just drive," said NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind. "With driver distraction one of the factors behind the rise of traffic fatalities, we are committed to working with the industry to ensure that mobile devices are designed to keep drivers’ eyes where they belong — on the road."
NHTSA continues to urge the driving public to take the following safety precautions to minimize distraction while driving:
- Be a safe, distraction-free driver, put your cell phone down and focus on the road;
- When using electronic devices for directions, set the destination prior to driving;
- Speak up when you're a passenger and your driver uses an electronic device while driving. Offer to call or text for the driver, so his or her full attention stays on the driving task; and
- Always wear your seat belt. Seat belts are the best defense against other unsafe drivers