There could soon be a ban on texting while driving going through to the states from the national government. If the states do not impose the ban, then they may lose highway funds.

Of course, the ban is directed at reducing the number of accidents and driver distraction as a result of texting while driving. The proposal was introduced after a series of tests showed the dangers of drivers who text while drive and take their eyes off the road to do so. One study that was released earlier this week found that when drivers of 18 wheelers texted while driving their collision risk was 23 times higher than when they were focused on the road. Reaching for a cell phone or dialing when driving increased their risk 6 times. The study, conducted by Virginia Tech, said that the results applied to all drivers and not just truckers.

So far, 14 states and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving.

“The federal government ought to pass a law banning this dangerous and growing practice to protect the millions of Americans on our nation’s roads. It is a matter of public safety,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who was to unveil the legislation Wednesday along with Democrats Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Kay Hagan of North Carolina.

If the legislation were to pass, it would require states to ban texting or emailing while they were driving or the state could face losing 25% of their annual federal highway funding.

The ban would be fashioned after Congress’s required drunken driving ban.

States that have not already gone through and banned texting while driving will have two years to ban it following the passing of the legislation. It would ban drivers from texting while the car was moving and would not be enforced while the car was stopped.

There could soon be a ban on texting while driving going through to the states from the national government. If the states do not impose the ban, then they may lose highway funds.

Of course, the ban is directed at reducing the number of accidents and driver distraction as a result of texting while driving. The proposal was introduced after a series of tests showed the dangers of drivers who text while drive and take their eyes off the road to do so. One study that was released earlier this week found that when drivers of 18 wheelers texted while driving their collision risk was 23 times higher than when they were focused on the road. Reaching for a cell phone or dialing when driving increased their risk 6 times. The study, conducted by Virginia Tech, said that the results applied to all drivers and not just truckers.

So far, 14 states and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving.

“The federal government ought to pass a law banning this dangerous and growing practice to protect the millions of Americans on our nation’s roads. It is a matter of public safety,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who was to unveil the legislation Wednesday along with Democrats Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Kay Hagan of North Carolina.

If the legislation were to pass, it would require states to ban texting or emailing while they were driving or the state could face losing 25% of their annual federal highway funding.

The ban would be fashioned after Congress’s required drunken driving ban.

States that have not already gone through and banned texting while driving will have two years to ban it following the passing of the legislation. It would ban drivers from texting while the car was moving and would not be enforced while the car was stopped.