On Tuesday, June 15, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) issued a new report on states' efforts to prevent distracted driving, "Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs".  According to a GHSA press release, the report surveyed highway safety agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam and surfaced seven key findings:

1. Distracted driving has emerged as a priority for state highway safety agencies
2. States have improved data collection efforts
3. States are educating new drivers about distraction
4. States have been passing a variety of distracted driving laws
5. States are emphasizing public education
6. Public/private partnerships are increasing
7. States are using new technology to educate motorists

Despite evidence that states are stepping up their efforts, GHSA acknowledges that the fight is far from over. In the release, GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey, Jr. called for states to continue their efforts to create a comprehensive solution to the probelm of distracted driving. Betkey said, "We know from our experiences with drunk driving and seat belt use that there is no magic bullet, and the same holds true with distracted driving."

This is an important acknowledgement.  Distracted driving is a complicated behavioral issue which demands an equally complex solution.  Large-scale behavioral modification will not come through the implementation of legislation alone.  A holistic approach combining legislation with education and technology will more effectively alter people's opinions and subsequently their driving habits.  In 2008, for example, NHTSA joined two messaging platforms in an effort to reduce drunk driving during the Fourth of July holiday.  The first, "Buzzed driving is drunk driving," focused on social norming and the second, "Over the limit, under arrest," focused on enforcement.  The former made clear that as a society, there are behaviors we simply will not tolerate, while the second emphasized that committing such taboo behavior will result in punishment.

The third leg of social norming/education and legislation/enforcement is technology.  GHSA's release made clear that states are exhibiting a "growing reliance on new media" to spread the message.  Where in 2008, safety organizations aired television PSAs, now those videos are earning hits on YouTube. 

Likewise, many state DOTs are following Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's example (@RayLaHood) and signing up for their own Twitter accounts to better communicate with the public.