Krishnamoorthi Seeks co-Sponsors for Anti-Distracted Driving Bill

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., is seeking co-sponsors for his States Afforded Funding Extensions to Oppose Driving Recklessly in Vehicular Engagements (Safe to Drive) Act. HR-2416, which Krishnamoorthi sponsored with Reps. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., would create two supplemental grants for distracted driving prevention programs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers grants but has stringent guidelines that last year four states qualified of the 30 that sought funding, Krishnamoorthi wrote colleagues. One of the supplemental grants would be awarded to states that pass anti-distracted driving laws that define “texting” as including almost every form of electronic data communication. The other grant would go to states that ban all non-navigational viewing of electronics while driving. Each of the two grants would draw on 25 percent of the money already allocated for the NHTSA funding. “Many states may never enact all the requirements to qualify for the current NHTSA grants, but they should still be able to receive funds to educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and enforce common-sense laws,” Krishnamoorthi said.