With distractions being such a growing driver safety issue in the country and throughout the world these days, a number of driving organizations are becoming involved in the long term fight to minimize cases. These organizations range from those involved in communications with others that are focused on safety and transportation.
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Influence of Driving Organizations
As more and more driving organizations begin to get involved in the fight against distractions, more potential laws are being influenced for the future. For example, recently the Secretary of the U.S. Transportation Department spoke out about the possibility of a federal law that would ban texting and talking on a cell phone in an automobile, aiming to improve driver safety. Ray LaHood, who has long been a proponent of putting an end to distracted driving, claimed that distracted driving is a “national epidemic” and that federal legislation may be the only way to minimize these cases in the United States.
Of course, plenty of influence on lawmakers has come from some other driving organizations as well. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) used 2012 as an opportunity to being a forum to Washington D.C. that would highlight the importance of driver safety. The organization used the help of celebrities and major political figures to help examine the strategies that could be used in the future to mitigate cases of distracted driving.
Research
Aside from these driving organizations, a number of institutes are also having a profound effect on distracted driving from a national side. The most prominent one has likely been the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), who’s worked endlessly to examine the length to which distractions can end up affecting driver safety. Their research study entitled “Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations” remains one of the primary sources of examples that show the dangers of distracted driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is another driving organization that has played a large role in providing research and safety facts for the masses. Their own research is done in 2018 also worked as a basis for a number of the driver safety laws that have been enacted throughout many states in the past few years. Their work focused on both internal and external distractions, showing that each could have a profound effect on the focus of drivers.
FCC
Texting and driving have reached epidemic proportions on the nation’s roadways. Stopping dangerous practice requires commitment and innovative thinking. The FCC is determined to participate in the campaign against this ever-growing problem.
NHTSA
NHTSA stands for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The organization has been around since its establishment in 1970, as a part of the Highway Safety Act. They were originally created to oversee issues such as accidental death and disability, as well as consumer information programs. Over time, the NHTSA has certainly expanded its responsibilities, however.
NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board is a government agency that’s independent and handles all investigations relating to transportation accidents. Their main duties often require carrying out reports and investigations relating to all kinds of highway accidents, aviation crashes, railroad accidents, and marine incidents.
OSHA
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency that serves as a part of the Department of Labor. The agency was created under the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970 as a source to help ensure safe and healthy working conditions through standards, training, education, and assistance.
VTTI
The VTTI or Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has become known as one of the primary research sources tied to distracted driving. The institute serves as the largest research center at Virginia Tech University. Their work focuses on research tied to all different types and forms of transportation. The goal of the institute is to save lives, money and time in the transportation field over the long term. This is done by continuing efforts such as the use of cutting edge technology, tools, and strategies to analyze transportation issues.