Cell Phone Ban While Driving to go Nationwide?

Ray LaHood U.S. Transportation Secretary called on Thursday for a federal law to ban talking on a cell phone or texting while driving any type of vehicle on anywhere in the country.

Tough federal legislation is the only way to deal with what he called a "national epidemic," he said something that has been a law here in New York State for some time.

LaHood said it is important for the police to have "the opportunity to write tickets when people are foolishly thinking they can drive safely or use a cell phone and text and drive."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 3,000 fatal traffic accidents nationwide were the result of distracted driving last year.

LaHood said "It used to be that if an officer pulled you over for drunk driving, he would pat you on the back, maybe call you a cab or take you home, but he wouldn't arrest you," LaHood said. "Now that has changed, and the same enforcement can work for people who talk on cell phones while driving."

(From MSN)