Senate Transportation Committee Hearing in Albany on the National Transportation Safety Board's Report on Distracted Driving.

The Senate Transportation Committee held a hearing on February 13, 2012 to review the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) recent report on distracted driving and examine what steps New York State can take to make roads safer and protect people from distracted driving crashes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 5,400 people were killed and an estimated 448,000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving distracted driving in 2009.  In December 2011 the NTSB issued a report on actions states should take to further prevent distracted driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities.  The Committee reviewed the NTSB's report and examined what steps New York State can take to make roads safer and protect people from distracted driving crashes.

Discussions included how enforcement of distracted driving laws can be enhanced; how New York State can better educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving; and how current driver education requirements can be enhanced so that young driviers learn about the dangers of distracted driving at an early age.