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.’ “

Highway Work Zone Safety Needs Improvement
The New York Times reported today that there needs to be increased safety in highway work areas. Approximately 160 people are killed and 11,000 injured each year from unsafe conditions, just from pavement edge drop-offs alone. The steeper the drop off the more dangerous the condition becomes.