Editorial: Focus on the road

A presidential order banning federal workers from sending text messages while driving sends a powerful message to distracted drivers everywhere.

Last year, 5,870 people died and 515,000 were injured nationally in crashes linked to distracted driving - often due to the increasing number of drivers who juggle cell phones, BlackBerries, and other gadgets.

Drivers who talk on cell phones are four times as likely to crash, regardless of whether they're using a hands-free device, studies show. In fact, a yakking driver is just as much a road hazard as one who is legally drunk. Texting poses even greater risks, since motorists have to take their eyes off the road.

While New Jersey and a handful of other states have banned driving and texting, President Obama's directive last week represents the first national ban, as it applies to the federal government's 4.5 million workers, including military personnel.

The president's directive must be the first step in a nationwide push to assure that every motorist's attention is on the road - not the next text message he or she receives. By convening a two-day Washington conference of stakeholders last week, the Obama administration raised the profile of the issue of distracted driving detailed in recent media reports.

A good next step would be to implement the proposal being developed by Transportation Secretary Ray H. LaHood, which would restrict gadget use by long-haul bus drivers and truckers, and train drivers subject to federal regulation. To cover other drivers, state legislation most likely will be needed - with likely prodding from the federal government.

When Pennsylvania lawmakers finally get around to finishing the state budget, they need to make up for lost time on combating distracted driving.

Merely banning text messaging, however, won't end the dangers. Far more drivers pose a highway risk with their phone conversations behind the wheel. Getting those drivers off the phone, period, should be the goal of public policy.