The proposed ban on cell phone and electronic device usage is a hot-button issue lately.

The National Transportation and Safety Administration Board estimates that about 3,000 people were killed in 2010 due to distraction crashes.

You can check out what local officials have to say about the ban in a story on the Messenger site, today. I asked the Alabama Department of Public Safety what their take on the ban was, and although they couldn’t comment in favor or against the ban, the director did send the statement below. It’s his take on distracted driving as a whole.

“Col. Hugh B. McCall, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, urges drivers of all ages to focus at all times on driving tasks, their surroundings and other motorists. Another highway safety key is to avoid distractions, which include texting, talking on cell phones, changing CDs or radio stations, eating, drinking and conversing with passengers.  It also is important to obey traffic laws and to make sure everyone in the vehicle is using a seat belt or is secured properly in a child safety seat.”