Paul McNamara’s Buzzblog discusses at http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/56449 the recent Department of Transportation announcement regarding texting while driving: it’s now completely illegal for large truck and bus drivers. McNamara wants to know what took so long as the data for text-inducing accidents have been piling up for years. While there may be some legitimate uses for texting while driving (directions, new instructions, or safety alerts), apparently the DOT prefers those come through other mediums. But whether texting, talking, or even looking at a GPS, they can all be equally distracting. The DOT’s Distraction.gov website http://www.distraction.gov/ covers all of the issues, and states that even hands-free devices are “significant enough to degrade a driver’s performance.” Where does this leave the average commuter? Tweet from the road while you can (and by all means, do it safely!), as the bills to ban texting for all drivers are currently before Congress http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9149079/DOT_bans_truck_drivers_from_texting.

Sam Hartman, Feb. 3, 2010

Note: Post not sponsored.