Federal Leadership On Reducing Text Messaging While Driving

This executive order prohibits federal employees from text messaging while driving government vehicles, privately-owned vehicles on official business, or when using government-supplied electronic equipment. It also directs federal agencies to encourage contractors and grant recipients to adopt similar bans, and requires agencies to implement compliance measures within 90 days.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 51225

Impact dates

Dec 30, 2009
Agencies implement order, adopt compliance measures with disciplinary actions, notify Secretary of Transportation

Key directives

Federal employees shall not text while driving GOV or POV on official business
Federal employees shall not text while using government-supplied electronic equipment while driving
Agencies must take implementation measures within 90 days
Agencies must adopt compliance measures including disciplinary actions within 90 days
Agencies must notify Secretary of Transportation of measures within 90 days
Agencies shall encourage contractors/subcontractors/recipients to ban texting while driving in new contracts/grants
Agency heads may exempt protective/law enforcement/national security/emergency personnel
Secretary of Transportation to provide leadership and guidance to agencies

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Federal employees prohibited from texting while driving GOV or POV on official business
Federal employees prohibited from texting while using government-supplied electronic equipment while driving

Near term (90d)

Agencies must implement order, adopt compliance measures with disciplinary actions, and notify Secretary of Transportation
Agencies to consider new rules, reevaluate existing programs, and conduct education/outreach

Long term

Contractor/grantee policy encouragement applies to new procurements and agreements entered after order date
Ongoing agency education and voluntary compliance encouragement for off-duty behavior

Risks & tensions

Enforcement relies on agency discretion and existing disciplinary frameworks; no uniform penalty structure specified
Contractor provisions are hortatory ('encourage') rather than mandatory for existing contracts; only applies to new contracts/grants post-signing
Exemption authority for national security/law enforcement may create inconsistent application
Definition of 'texting' is broad (includes navigation, email, instant messaging) but enforcement practicality unclear
No dedicated funding mechanism; implementation 'subject to availability of appropriations'