NU Online News Service, June 10, 4:00 p.m.EDT

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committeeapproved legislation that would offer grants to states that enactlaws prohibiting texting and using a handheld device whiledriving.

The legislation, S. 1938, sponsored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., stipulatesthat 50 percent of the grant money a state receives must be usedfor education about the dangers of texting and using a cell phonewhile driving, for traffic signs about the state distracted drivinglaw, and for enforcement of the law.

The bill also directs the administrator of the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration to establish a Distracted DrivingNational Education Program, and directs the secretary ofTransportation to establish a research program to study distracteddriving by passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.

The Federal Communications Commission would also have to submita report to the Senate committee on distracted driving.

Insurer associations said they supported the bill.

Ben McKay, senior vice president of federal government relationsfor the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, said,"We applaud the committee's passage of Sen. Rockefeller's importantlegislation to save lives and protect drivers. Insurers arededicated to working with lawmakers to promote traffic safety."

David Snyder, vice president and associate general counsel forthe American Insurance Association (AIA), said, "This legislationis important because it will serve as the anchor for all relatedefforts to modify unsafe driving behavior, including publiceducation and technology."

Kathy Mitchell, federal affairs director for the NationalAssociation of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), said, "Byencouraging states to take action against the use of phones andtexting while driving, this bill will help save lives."

NAMIC noted that an amendment added by the committee would alsobar auto manufacturers from installing entertainment device screenswithin view of the driver.

AIA said the bill stipulates that the secretary ofTransportation prescribe regulations on the use of electronic orwireless devices by operators of commercial motor vehicles andschool buses, prohibiting their use in circumstances where itinterferes with safe operation of the vehicles.