HOUSE PANEL SEES LITTLE NEED FOR CURBS ON DRIVER CELLPHONES

Several lawmakers and panelists raised questions about effectiveness of hands-free cellphone use on reducing distractions, saying cognitive demands of using phone while driving still could divert attention from road. While several lawmakers asked what shape national legislation could take, they generally cited problems with enforcement on driver restrictions, particularly because most states already have reckless driving statutes. One “proactive” alternative, said Rep. Simmons (R- Conn.), might be to look for technology fixes from automotive manufacturers, which develop in-vehicle telematics systems, and cellphone manufacturers. “Certainly the speech recognition technology is there,” he said.

Hearing covered distractions ranging from cellphones and telematics systems to applying makeup and playing musical instruments while at wheel. Shelton said not enough data had been collected on effect of using electronic devices while driving for NHTSA to make legislative recommendations. NHTSA survey set for release this summer will show 54% of U.S. drivers usually have mobile phone in their vehicles or carry one with them when they drive, he said. Study found nearly 80% of drivers leave phones on while driving and 73% report having talked on phone while driving. While he demurred from making legislative recommendations, Shelton conceded it would be helpful if lawmakers could find way to urge more states to collect data on driver distractions as part of crash report forms. Only about 20 states now collect such information and only handful provide such detail as whether driver was using a wireless phone, he said. “We're pushing it hard and it wouldn’t hurt to have some push from Congress as well,” Shelton said.

Among research projects that NHTSA has been conducting, he said, are: (1) Recently completed pilot to develop test track protocol for assessing “trade-offs” drivers make between driving and other secondary tasks such as changing CDs or dialing phone. (2) Study expected to be complete in fall that’s examining cellphone use under “real world” driving conditions, including comparison of hand-held vs. hands-free devices. (3) Test track study on effects of voice technology on driving performance being conducted with Transport Canada examining distraction potential of manual vs. voice-activated versions of activities such as dialing phone or tuning radio.

While Subcommittee didn’t develop consensus on need for national legislation, several panelists raised questions about challenges of federal mandates. Free speech implications of limiting cellphone use in cars are among “questions that ought to be examined,” said ranking Committee Democrat Oberstar (Minn.): “Maybe every few years we should require drivers to go back for education.” Committee Chmn. Young (R-Alaska), who has been known to have people who violate his cellphone ban evicted from his hearing room, said that “as disturbing as they are, they do serve a useful purpose… If we were to pass a law federally, who would enforce it? We already have so many laws on the books.” Rep. Pascrell (D-N.J.) was by far most critical of wireless industry: “I don’t think there is public sentiment in Congress to ban [wireless phones in cars]. But what are we going to do about it?” He held up newspaper ad for wireless carrier that included CTIA’s slogan “Safety: Your Most Important Call.” Pascrell said print was so small “you would have to have almost a magnifying glass to read it.” Wireless industry has to take a stronger role in addressing safety, he said. Rep. Tauscher (D-Cal.) said that because “the federal government role is clear, we should do everything we can to get more than 20 states to collect and certify better data.”

CTIA Pres. Thomas Wheeler hailed extent to which wireless phone use in cars had contributed to increase in “good Samaritan” 911 calls and industry’s national education campaign for safe cellular phone use. Many studies provide data indicating extent to which distractions while driving are issue “and a serious issue,” Wheeler said. “No call is worth a life or an injury.” He pointed to drive-time radio spots CTIA has been airing to promote safe wireless phone use while driving. “The reality of the situation from the current crash data available is that wireless phones aren’t contributing to a significant number of crashes,” Wheeler testified.

Benefits of hands-free devices over hand-held wireless phones in cars aren’t clear, because hands-free versions of phones can still steal drivers’ attention, said American Automobile Assn. (AAA) Managing Dir.-Traffic Safety Mark Edwards. Study results indicate “cell phones are not a large problem yet -- I emphasize yet,” he said. “We don’t know what the future will bring. Things could get worse. It’s important to act now.” Edwards said group is recommending that subcommittee: (1) Encourage manufacturers to “design the least distracting telematics devices possible.” (2) Stimulate govt./industry effort to provide public education information. (3) “Encourage” Dept. of Transportation to better document impact of driver distraction on safety.

Study funded by AAA and conducted by U. of N.C. Highway Safety Research Center identified attention status of driver and events that caused distraction involved in traffic crashes. Study found 29.4% of drivers were distracted by outside person or event, 11.4% by adjusting radio, 10.9% by another passenger. Cell phone use ranked 8th, although U. of N.C. Mgr.-Epidemiological Studies Jane Stutts said “our analysis was not intended to provide definitive answers as to which distractions pose the greatest risks.” More data is needed to answer this question, including information on how frequently and under what conditions drivers perform different actions, Stutts testified. There were 8 recorded crashes involving cell phone use in 1995, compared to 6 in 1999, despite increase in wireless subscribers, she said. “It may be that as more attention has been drawn to the potential role of cellular phones in unsafe driving and crashes, drivers have become less willing to reveal this information when involved in a crash,” Stutts said, noting better data is needed to quantify overall driver distraction problem.

Hearing was cut short when Rayburn Office Bldg. was evacuated because of fire. Burning rags in trash can in restroom of Rep. Hastings (D-Fla.) reportedly were cause of fire, which resulted in building’s being cleared for about 30 min.