NWRA urges Senate to take action on distracted driving

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, recently sent a letter to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee urging action to reduce incidents of distracted driving caused by mobile devices. The NWRA says it hopes federal action will ultimately regulate mobile devices to prevent distracted driving.

“Although our efforts to reduce fatalities, injuries and accidents are making a difference, legislation combating addictive products is what is needed to make a beneficial impact for our workers and America’s drivers,” says Darrell Smith, president and CEO of the NWRA. “Implementing safe driving prevention technology in new cars is the indispensable solution that our industry, many like it and American drivers need to travel roads safely.”

According to a news release from the NWRA, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act mandates new passenger vehicles feature drunk driving/impaired driving prevention technology. The association says the same should be done for distracted driving prevention technology. 

The NWRA says Apple applied for a patent in 2008 and was granted one in 2014 for technology that limits iPhone usage by the individual in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. In Apple’s new operating software, iOS 15, the “Driving Focus” mode silences/limits text messages, calls and other notifications when you turn it on. Social media companies must work with phone developers and car manufacturers to make such technology the default setting for drivers in new cars.