Nanny Feds Want to Ban All Use of Phones in Cars

The nanny state is after your cellphone:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he believes motorists are distracted by any use of mobile phones while driving, including hands-free calls, as his department begins research that may lead him to push for a ban.

LaHood, whose campaign against texting and making calls while driving has led to restrictions in 30 states, says his concerns extend to vehicle information and entertainment systems such as Ford Motor Co.’s Sync and General Motors Co.’s OnStar.

“I don’t want people talking on phones, having them up to their ear or texting while they’re driving,” LaHood said in an interview this week. “We need a lot better research on other distractions,” including Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calls and the in-car systems, he said.

If we're going to eliminate everything that poses a potential distraction for drivers, here some of the other things that the feds will have to ban:

• Car radios or stereo systems
• Speedometers and engine instruments
• Passengers
• Children
• Make-up
• All printed material
• The outside world

Each driver can be issued blinders which restrict his vision to the road ahead and special earphones that play Ray LaHood's soothing words of wisdom to help them focus on their driving.