Today, I issued the following statement in response to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller's (D-WV) introduction of “Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2009” (S. 1938):

"CTIA welcomes introduction of Chairman Rockefeller’s legislation, and we look forward to working with the Chairman and his colleagues to enact a solution to the problem of distracted driving.

“We are particularly pleased that the legislation includes a significant educational component since, as Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood has noted, legislative prohibitions alone are unlikely to solve this problem. We have partnered with the National Safety Council to co-brand a public service announcement (PSA) and Web site (onroadoffphone.org) focused on educating consumers about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving. Having the DOT echo this message can only help as we continue to seek to inform and educate the driving public.” 

There was a lot of attention in the media about distracted driving this week. 
 
CTIA and the National Safety Council released our teen-focused TV PSA that simply tells them, "On the Road, Off the Phone." We also unveiled our joint Web site which provides parents with tips on how to talk to their teens about the dangers of distracted driving.
 
Steve Largent, our President and CEO, participated in the Department of Transportation's Distracted Driving Summit panel called “Technology and Distracted Driving” on September 30th. 
 
Then yesterday, at the conclusion of the Distracted Driving Summit, the White House issued an Executive Order and Secretary LaHood made several announcements. We concurred with their conclusion that distracted driving legislation should be developed and enforced by state and local governments.
 
But throughout this week (and for many years), we've stressed that while state and local legislation is a part of the solution, education is key to trying to end distracted driving.
 
We also agree with Secretary LaHood that personal responsibility is important and every single person needs to be aware about the serious dangers and possible consequences of texting and driving. 
 
So if you remember nothing else from this week, remember this: please don't text and drive. Tell your kids, your parents, your family, your friends -- anyone and everyone. It's a simple message and one we hope more people follow.
 

Today, I issued the following statement in response to the closing remarks by the White House and Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on distracted driving:

"The wireless industry remains committed to educating all drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.  We support state and local legislation that would ban texting for all drivers and place wireless use restrictions on teens and novice drivers.  We agree with Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's recommendation that distracted driving legislation should be developed and enforced by state and local governments.  While state and local legislation is a part of the solution, education is key to trying to end distracted driving.  We also agree with Secretary LaHood that personal responsibility is important and every single person needs to be aware about the serious dangers and possible consequences of texting and driving. 

"Since we unveiled our public service announcement (PSA) on Tuesday, September 29th with the National Safety Council, we have received several inquiries from TV stations that have requested to run our PSA and we hope to receive many more. Focused on teens, the PSA tells them to simply remember, ‘On the Road, Off the Phone.'

"We also strongly encourage parents to talk to their kids about these dangers and invite them to visit our Web site at onroadoffphone.org for more information. 

"We look forward to continuing to work with the National Safety Council as well as other participants from the Summit to combat distracted driving."

This morning I issued the following statement in advance of my afternoon panel discussion called “Technology and Distracted Driving” at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Distracted Driving Summit:

“On behalf of the wireless industry, I am pleased to be a part of this inaugural discussion with experts and leaders from various industries, academia, policymakers and other influentials who gathered to learn and discuss the dangers of distracted driving. 

“I am confident that the one thing all of us agree on is that education is essential to trying to end distracted driving. 

“That’s why we were proud to announce our partnership with the National Safety Council and our teen-focused campaign, ‘On the Road, Off the Phone’ on Tuesday, September 29th. We encourage parents and teens to visit our Web site for more information and to view our television public service announcement (PSA).

“CTIA and our members look forward to continued discussions based on the Summit. In addition, the industry remains committed to educating adults and novice drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.”

For more information on Safe Driving, click here.

Very early this morning, the National Safety Council (NSC) and CTIA revealed their "On the Road, Off the Phone" campaign that is targeting teens and novice drivers to educate them on the dangers of distracted driving.
 
As part of the campaign, we've developed a television public service announcement (PSA) and a website that provides parents and teens with information to learn more about distracted driving. 
 

  
Teens and novice drivers are the most inexperienced drivers, and statistics show that they are most likely to be involved in vehicle crashes caused by distracted driving. This is also a group that relies on their wireless devices to talk and text. We believe educating them on responsible driving will make them better drivers now – and as they continue into adulthood.
 
We are proud to continue our relationship with NSC on this very important issue and we hope you find it useful. Tell your teens – "On the Road, Off the Phone." 

As you know, CTIA WIRELESS IT & E 2009 show is October 7-9 in San Diego, CA (register here).

New this year is “CTIA Fund Fest," which will help shine the spotlight on the brightest, most innovative and promising companies in wireless.  

If you have a cool wireless idea, submit your nomination by September 23rd. The review team from MobiTechFest (our partner in Fund Fest) will pick six of the "Most Promising Innovations" to appear live at our show stage for a keynote on October 9th in front of 2000+ audience.  

While on stage, you will have 5 minutes to present your idea and persuade the audience and an investor panel of judges why your idea is best.   

After the presentations, one of the six innovations will win "Best of Show.” Besides winning bragging rights and media exposure, this winner will also win a complimentary marketing and exhibiting package from CTIA and MobiTechFest with a combined value of $25,700. The package includes: 10x20 booth, 5 VIP Smart Pass Registrations, Pre-show mailing list and two email blasts to CTIA lists, Full Page Ad in the Official Show Guide and Listing in the CTIA Wireless Industry Directory. 

For more information and rules on CTIA Fund Fest, please click here.  

Good luck and I look forward to seeing you at our show!

I issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Hearing on “The Health Effects of Cell Phone Use:”

“CTIA and the wireless industry are deeply committed to safety and to providing timely, accurate information to consumers about wireless phones. When it comes to the facts about cell phones and health-related effects, the industry relies on the conclusions of impartial groups such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Cancer Society, and the National Institute of Health, which have all concluded that the scientific evidence to date does not demonstrate any adverse health effects associated with the use of wireless phones. 

“In July 2009, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) released a statement  addressing the current scientific evidence concerning exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF), including frequencies used for modern wireless communications. It said the scientific literature ‘provided no evidence of any adverse effects below the basic restrictions and does not necessitate an immediate revision of its guidance on limiting exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields.’

“There has been significant research conducted on the issue of whether there is a link between wireless phone use and health effects.  Much has been completed and more continues today. CTIA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently examined scientific questions about radiofrequency (RF) energy pursuant to a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The FDA, not industry, was responsible for the research performed under the CRADA.

“All wireless devices must adhere to strict emissions guidelines in the United States, which have been developed under a thorough and rigorous review process. All wireless base station antennas and phones must meet the science-based, RF emission guidelines of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has established very conservative limits to ensure that the health of all citizens is protected. The FCC maintains a database that provides the SAR value for cellular phones sold in the United States.”

For more information on mobile phone health, please visit:

• American Cancer Society:  cellular phones and cellular phone towers
• EMF Explained
• GSMA 
• International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation 
• National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements 
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Federal Communications Commission
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
• U.S. National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Today we issued a release commending National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for designating September 14-20th as "National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week."  
 
These organizations, along with our members, are focused on increasing attention and participation in Lifeline and Linkup programs which provide low-income consumers with financial assistance for telecom services. 
 
Funded through the Universal Service Fund (USF), the programs offer financial assistance for basic telephone service (Lifeline) and initial telephone installation (Link-Up). Lifeline assistance provides eligible customers with discounts up to $10 per month, depending on their state. Link-up pays half (up to a maximum $30) of the initial installation fee for traditional wireline service or the activation fee for a wireless telephone for a primary residence.
 
For more information about “National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week,” click here.  To learn more about the Lifeline and Link-up programs, click here.