According to a state-by-state chart obtained from the American Automobile Association, Maryland has some of the most relaxed distracted driving laws in the country. In Maryland, only teens are restricted by law from talking on their cell phones while driving.
Based on the number of accidents covered in the news- both locally and across the region, perhaps lawmakers need to revise laws to make the roadways safer for drivers who pay attention.
Of the fifty states in the AAA study, only 18 states, excluding Maryland, have laws against school bus drivers using cell phones, while 22 states have laws that prohibit teens from using cell phones while driving.
Only 11 states have bans on text messaging while driving and six states have bans on any handheld cell phone usage while driving. Twenty-five states, including Maryland, state that they have collected data about the situation and only nine states, excluding Maryland admit to doing a study of the problem.
Given the recent national news stories about public transit workers being distracted by cell phones and text messaging, perhaps Maryland along with the rest of the country should consider tightening up distracted driving laws.
Considering the number of school bus accidents carried by TheBAYNET.com during the last school year, perhaps laws should be created to address the safety of Southern Maryland’s school children.