Lobbyists Target Safe Driving Laws

Ever wonder what chilling plans Washington lobbyists come up with? Until last week, a few K Streeters were looking to recruit members of the auto, insurance, and electronics manufactures to campaign against safety regulations banning certain uses of cell phones while driving. According to this memo leaked last week: “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE...Auto, tech, and insurance industries, among others, have become collateral damage in this transportation battle.” The transportation battle being referenced is efforts by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and stars like Oprah to ban the use of cell phones while driving.

You have to marvel at the complete lack of morals here, because you literally have a group of guys on K Street wondering where their next pay check is coming from, and they come up with the idea to get corporations to oppose common-sense safety regulations that save lives. As Mother Jones reported last week, “In 2008, according to federal estimates, 5,870 people were killed and 515,000 injured by distracted driving...” while “The National Safety Council has estimated that 28 percent of all vehicle crashes are attributable to cell-phone use.” The data on cell phones and accidents shows not only how tragic accidents caused by cell phones are, but how only tough laws can prevent them.

Luckily, the plan died before it got off the ground last week after LaHood denounced it a press conference. "The simple fact is that texting and talking behind the wheel is a deadly epidemic," LaHood said, "We're keeping the pedal to the metal in spite of a new effort to rile up the electronics industry and derail our coalition." And thus the effort ended - at least for now.

As for the cell and technology companies named in the memo, it is unclear if they had agreed to take on this effort. But this is the kind of story that makes me afraid when the Supreme Court lifts restrictions on campaign spending; imagine a scenario in which Verizon gives to a candidate if he promises to kill a driver-safety bill. Moreover, when we talk of the tyranny of government and inefficiency of regulation, let’s just remember what government is doing here. You can debate the best policy or regulation on various topics, but when it comes to saving lives through transportation safety, the free market isn't going to help.

Pema Levy is a staff writer for Campus Progress.