Ford Backs Cell Phone Ban for Drivers

DETROIT (TheStreet) -- Ford(F) has become the first U.S. automaker to back a nationwide ban on the use of handheld cell phones by drivers.

On Monday, Ford endorsed a proposal by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D., N.Y.) for national legislation. While a majority of the states have imposed limitations on cell phone use by drivers, the federal government has not acted.

"Ford endorses Rep. McCarthy's legislation because it represents a practical, commonsense approach to a national problem," said Pete Lawson, Ford vice president of government affairs. "Distracted driving is an important issue, and that's why Ford became the first automaker to support proposed legislation banning hand-held texting while driving in 2009 and why we are proud to support Rep. McCarthy's legislation that will ban using hand-held devices while driving."

Ford believes that "drawing drivers' eyes away from the road -- whether [by] text messaging, manually dialing a cell phone or reading maps -- substantially increases the risk of an accident or near misses," Lawson said.

In general, U.S. automakers have backed legislative efforts to restrict handheld phone use by drivers, although GM(GM) and Chrysler have not specifically endorsed the McCarthy 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," GM spokesman Greg Martin told The Detroit News Monday. "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.

Introduced in June, McCarthy's Safe Drivers Act of 2011 directs the U.S. Transportation Secretary to establish minimum regulations that ban driver use of hand-held mobile devices on a public road. Voice-operated systems are excluded. The bill also requires the DOT to conduct a study on distracted driving and to recommend appropriate standards and penalties.

"Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common," McCarthy said, in a prepared statement.

-- Written by Ted Reed in Charlotte, N.C.

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