Ford Motor Company is one of the first auto-maker to back a ban on using mobile phones when driving in the USA.
Ford have said they are endorsing a bill introduced last month by U.S Rep Carolyn McCarthy. Pete Lawson, Ford's Vice President of government affairs, said the company is backing the bill "because it represents a practical, common-sense approach to a national problem."
Ford has been eager to protect drivers from distractions that could cause accidents such as using a mobile phone while driving. Sync and MyFord Touch are technologies developed by Ford that allow drivers to make hands-free calls and receive or send text messages orally, rather than using a hand-held mobile phone.
Although nine states and the district of Colombia have introduced a mobile phone ban whilst driving, there are still a substantial amount of states that still have not banned their use. According to The Governors Highway Safety Association, this is because they want to postpone any bans until further research has been completed.
Ford has been eager to protect drivers from distractions that could cause accidents such as using a mobile phone while driving. Sync and MyFord Touch are technologies developed by Ford that allow drivers to make hands-free calls and receive or send text messages orally, rather than using a hand-held mobile phone.
Although nine states and the district of Colombia have introduced a mobile phone ban whilst driving, there are still a substantial amount of states that still have not banned their use. According to The Governors Highway Safety Association, this is because they want to postpone any bans until further research has been completed.
"Research conducted in labs and on roads shows that activity drawing drivers' eyes away from the road — whether text messaging, manually dialing a cellphone or reading maps — substantially increases the risk of an accident or near misses,"Lawson said.
"Ford believes hands-free, voice-activated technology significantly reduces that risk by allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road," Lawson said.
Telecommuncations giant Verizon also has endorsed the bill.
McCarthy said "Ford is demonstrating great leadership and being a good corporate citizen" by supporting her legislation.
"GM has been way out in front for years, among our employees, states and consumers, with a simple message of put the phone down and drive," said General Motors spokesman Greg Martin.
"We're still doing our part, but we're not certain what meaningful effect a federal ban would have at this time as these issues typically reside with state and local enforcement," he said.
GM bars employees driving company cars from using a hand-held cellphone behind the wheel.
States that refuse to comply within two years could lose 25 percent of their federal highway money.
Source: Detroit News.
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