Ted Deutch Ramps Up Efforts Against Distracted Driving

At the start of the month, U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., teamed up with U.S. Reps. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., to introduce the Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2015 which gives states incentives to crack down on texting or emailing when driving. On Friday, Deutch showcased his efforts and praised a similar push in Tallahassee from Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, and Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Delray Beach.

Enough is enough, Deutch insisted on Friday. We all know that texting, searching the Web, or posting on social media while driving, puts you, your passengers, and others around you in serious danger. Yet people still do it every day. I am saddened that in 2013 more than 3,000 people were killed and more than 400,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers. And Im frustrated that many states, including Florida, have failed to pass laws strong enough to stop distracted driving.

Evidence increasingly suggests that states that enact and enforce tough distracted driving laws help to prevent more of these needless tragedies, Deutch added. It's time to take a stand. I have just introduced the Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2015. This legislation creates new incentives for states to enact more enforceable and more effective laws against distracted driving. My federal effort works in tandem with the terrific state-level proposals by my friends, Florida leaders Rep. Irv Slosberg and Senator Maria Sachs. Together we can save lives.