Tags : American Medical Association, hand-held devices ban, talking and texting while driving
AMA Urges Legislation Banning Hand-Held Devices While Driving
Chicago, IL (AHN) – The nation’s largest doctors group is urging lawmakers to adopt legislation to ban the use of hand-held devices like cell phones while driving.
The American Medical Association voted this week at its annual meeting in Chicago to support such a law based on studies that show more people are getting into accidents because they are distracted while talking and texting on cell phones.
AMA board member Dr. Edward Langston said in a statement that a recent Harvard study estimates one in 20 traffic accidents involve a driver talking on a cell phone.
The AMA also voted to support discussions about updating its Code of Medical Ethics to include conduct on online social media Web sites.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the AMA also voted to urge the federal government to consider changing marijuana’s designation as a dangerous drug with no accepted medical use. The group changed its policy, it says, so researchers can conduct better clinical trials and develop medicines derived from cannabis.
The LA Times also said the policy shift was adopted so alternative ways to deliver the drug could be studied.
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