Distracted Driving Federal Government Head Scratcher
Tim Esterdahl | May 18, 2012 | Comments 6
In yet another Federal Government head scratcher, there seems to be some confusion as to who in the Federal Government can enforce any new distracted driving laws.
Who is supposed to enforce Federal distracted driving laws? Nobody knows.
This hasn’t stopped the NHTSA from holding meetings and developing recommendations. They have even tried to convince automakers to alter their car designs to deter distracted driving. All of this work has been done without a clear mandate to do so or clarity on the agency’s role in overseeing distracted driving.
While NHTSA Administrator David Strickland can hope that Congress adds this issue to his agency responsibilities, it might be for not. Currently there are 37 states and the district of Columbia that have distracted driving laws . And unlike the NHTSA’a recommendations, these laws actually have fines and possible jail time. However, anyone driving these days has seen the lack of enforcement on these laws.
Strickland hasn’t backed down from this issue and he has testified to Congress on addressing what he calls “a legislative donut hole.”
Also caught up in this issue is U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. He has made it a signature effort of his department to crack down on distracted driving by appearing on TV and at several high profile speaking engagements. Simply put, his department doesn’t have the authority to impose any federal restrictions.
The big question is why do we have a fight between three agencies to enforce federal laws and does it even matter with individual states passing laws that aren’t enforced. Sounds like more government posturing and red tape.
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Filed Under: Auto News
Can’t say whether the young 20 year old female that hit me from behind was doing anything like that. I was too busy with back spasms caused by her jolt. Never got out of the truck till emt’s were there. She hit mostly on the driver’s side rear since she tried to avoid hitting me at the last second. Her 2007 Honda Accord was DOA though.
Wow – that sounds like a bad accident. It seems likely she was distracted, though, doesn’t it? How else do you run into someone?
Only $3255.89 damage but it’s open ended since I found a couple of things that weren’t fixed. Minor in cost but needs to be perfect as far as I’m concerned. I got the wow you have alot of miles so it may not be worth going all out to fix it till they seen how I keep it showroom clean. They couldn’t believe the paint was in great shape for 5 years old and with 134,815 miles on it. What I can tell you as I went through the intersection the light turned yellow so the 5 or 6 cars behind me were coming and I was in the right lane slowing down to allow a Ford Explorer turn onto I-95 north. I was heading to the cloverleaf to I-95 south when I was hit. Roughly a 30mph difference between my speed and hers.
Anyone who tells you that your truck ‘has a lot of miles and might not be worth keeping’ is an idiot – that thing is spotless! 🙂
Hope they fix it right.
The Toyota dealership’s bodyshop did a great job. I can’t see where they fix the fender from underneath. They repainted my whole tailgate getting rid of 3 big scratches. I can tel you they did put it on some type of traction thing to hold the truck still while they pulled out the dent. Markings in 4 places on the frame give it away.
Mickey – Cool – glad it’s been fixed and looks good.