Official: It's Smart Phones, Not Coffee, Distracting Drivers
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Federal highway officials told New Jersey lawmakers smartphones, not coffee, primarily lead to distracted driving.
National Transportation Safety Board director of highway safety Robert Molloy says hands-free and handheld devices both pose dangers.
The testimony came Thursday as part of a hearing on legislation targeting distracted driving.
The measure made headlines last month when news reports focused on coffee as a possible banned item under the bill. But the sponsor says that wasn't his intention, and the measure doesn't name the beverage specifically.
Current law already prohibits texting or talking without a hands-free device. The new legislation is broader and would bar "any activity unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle."
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