The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ALERT DRIVERS ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H10412 on Oct. 1, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ALERT DRIVERS ACT
(Mrs. McCARTHY of New York asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, distracted driving is a serious problem in our Nation. One study conducted by Virginia Tech University found that drivers are 23 times more likely to get into an accident when texting. A recent New York Times/CBS News Poll indicated 90 percent of adults agree that texting while driving should be illegal.
This is an issue that rises above political power. This is why the Department of Transportation has dedicated a 2-day summit here in Washington this week to address the rising concerns of distracted driving on our Nation's highways.
H.R. 3535, the ALERT Drivers Act, which I am proud to introduce along with my colleague, Nita Lowey from New York, would ban anyone from writing, sending, or reading text messages while operating a moving vehicle.
Already endorsed by Ford Motors and the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, I ask that you join me in curbing preventable accidents on our Nation's roadways and cosponsor the ALERT Drivers Act.
Madam Speaker, we see these accidents all the time. We need to do something.
____________________
