We commend you and the Highways and Transit Subcommittee for scheduling a hearing to bring attention to the importance of driver focus in vehicle operation. Auto crashes are among our nation's most significant causes of death and injury. The recent highly publicized case of model Niki Taylor has appropriately focused attention on the need to use cell phones and other devices in cars responsibly, but should also focus attention on related issues. These include the broad area of wireless emergency communications from vehicles and, more specifically, the new technology of automatic crash notification. If medical professionals can begin treatment within that first hour, the chances for survival and the avoidance of permanent injury are greatly improved.
Minutes can define the difference between life and death.
In this regard, wireless communications devices have had a major, positive impact. Notification times have dropped since the broad introduction of wireless communications. Crashes and other emergencies are being reported more quickly. Your hearing is about making sure wireless devices are used appropriately, but there is no question that the presence of wireless devices in cars and in the hands of pedestrians enhances public safety. This leads to our second point.