Drivers may not be allowed to use their phones at all while behind the wheel.
/ FOX21: Adam Jukkola
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Putting the brakes on distracted drivers is creating a lot of buzz.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unanimously agreed to ban personal electronic devices while driving.
It would be the first-ever nationwide ban on non-emergency calls, texts and updates behind the wheel.
"I believe that it should be 21 and up on the phone, and texting should be banned," Tanya Weaver, a Colorado Springs driver, said.
The ban also applies to hand-free devices and goes beyond existing state laws.
The recommendation comes after an NTSB Investigation that revealed a Missouri pickup driver sent and received 11 text messages in 11 minutes before hitting a truck-tractor.
Spencer Pace of MasterDrive said a big part of distracted driving comes down to situational awareness. Talking on cell phone and driving leaves the person on the other end in the dark about the extra concentration or dangerous situation that is happening.
Which means hands-free is not risk-free because it's the conversation that's distracting.
"Driving is a very brain intensive activity. It's using all sensory input eyes, ears, auditory, visual, kinesthetics. We're feeling things throughout our body," Pace said.
So anything that limits distractions has the potential to save drivers.
The NTSB doesn't have the power to impose restrictions, but its recommendations carry significant weight with federal regulators and state lawmakers.
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