The AJJ reported today that Los Angeles Times (10/2, Geiger) reported that ” ‘In an effort to curb accidents caused by distracted driving, the Obama administration has banned federal employees from text messaging while driving and said it would consider new restrictions on cellphone use by rail, truck and bus drivers.’ President Obama ‘signed an executive order Wednesday night telling federal employees not to send text messages while driving on the job or in a government-owned vehicle.’ And ‘also Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on state and local governments to pass laws to discourage distracted driving.’ “

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration called “ill-equipped” to detect problems
The National Highway Safety Administration has “troubling” shortcomings in its ability to detect problems with high-tech electronics in today’s cars, according to a 139 page study by the National Research Council.