The issue of distracted driving, specifically text-messaging while driving, has evoked a number of legal responses from different US states and Canadian provinces. Quite a few legislatures have yet to prioritize this widespread phenomenon, but it’s safe to say that the problem cannot be ignored anywhere for too long. No matter how minor anyone sees the problem, few can dismiss the fact that reading or composing texts behind the wheel increases danger to drivers, passengers, and anyone else on or near the road. Exactly how dangerous is subject to debate. This likely has a lot to do with why, of the states with text-messaging laws, some governments have enacted laws applicable just to younger drivers or those with limited experience, while others have outright bans on handheld cell phone use while driving. Some places have laws with narrow application, like Texas, where texting is banned in school zones and by school bus drivers transporting underage passengers.

No matter what your local legislators think, if you live in the US, the Federal government wants you to know how serious a problem texting behind the wheel is. With this aim, the Transportation Department has partnered with the National Safety Council to launch a campaign, modeled after Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), called FocusDriven. Below is list of resources I think you’ll find helpful in learning more about texting and driving. And, if you still don’t see what the big deal is, maybe this article about the dangers of walking while using cell phones can give you some perspective.

Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving
Transport Canada: Cell Phone Use and Other Driver Distractions
New York Times series: Driven to Distraction
Car and Driver: Texting While Driving: How Dangerous is it? – Feature
Hands-Free Info
Survey: Teens and Distracted Driving
Wikipedia: Texting while driving
Gizmodo: 89% of Americans Want Texting While Driving Outlawed
CNBC: Texting And Driving Worse Than Drinking and Driving
Boston Globe: Conductor in Boston trolley crash was texting his girlfriend