Support for Continued Development of Technology to Reduce Distracted Driving

Submitted by: Highway Safety Committee

HSC.011.t2017

WHEREAS, in 2015, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 3,477 people were killed, and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers; and

WHEREAS, many States currently have laws against text messaging, talking on a cell phone, and other distractions while driving, yet the number of distracted driving related fatalities and injuries continues to increase; and

WHEREAS, technology now exists to prevent the use of a driver's cell phone while a vehicle is in motion; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recognizes the need to reduce distracted driving and its associated fatalities and injuries to first responders, the motoring public, pedestrians, and bicyclists; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the IACP calls upon law enforcement officials and transportation officials, including State highway safety offices and highway safety advocacy groups, to strongly support and work in partnership with technology companies to continue both the development and adoption of technologies that reduce a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle while distracted by cell phones and other portable electronic devices.