Gov. Martin O'Malley signed an executive order Thursday that will impose a ban on the use of hand-held cell phones by Maryland executive branch employees while driving state-owned vehicles.
O'Malley said he was taking the action as part of a new driver safety program. Cell phone use has been identified in numerous studies as one of the leading distractions drivers face on the roads.
The governor's action follows another legislative session in which the General Assembly rejected curbing cell phone use while driving. The legislature did adopt a bill, since signed by O'Malley, banning text-messaging while driving.
"This legislative session, we passed tough new laws to improve safety on our roadways by cracking down on drunken driving, speeding and texting," O'Malley said. "Today, I want to carry that protection to our dedicated state employees by preventing a major cause of workplace injury: traffic crashes."
The governor's order applies only to those on the state payroll who are driving a state vehicle. The order exempts hands-free cell phone use and allows hand-held cell phone use by law enforcement officers or emergency vehicle drivers.
The order directs the Department of Budget and Management, which oversees personnel issues, to draft a cell phone policy. The policy will go into effect when the rules are completed.
O'Malley's action brings Maryland's personnel policy into line with several large companies in the state that have heeded a call by the Maryland Highway Safety Foundation for employers to adopt such restrictions. The governor indicated earlier this year, after speaking to the group, that he was considering such a move.
Maryland has about 79,000 employees, the vast majority in the executive branch. The governor's office didn't have information on the number of executive branch employees who drive state-owned vehicles.
David Nevins, co-chairman of the foundation, said the state would become the single largest employer to adopt such a rule. He said Howard County and the National Security Agency have also imposed such a rule. Nevins said he is delighted the governor has followed suit.
"The track record is clear: They will have fewer collisions, they will drive more safely and they will ultimately be more efficient in their jobs," he said.
In addition to the cell phone rules, the governor's order urges employees to enroll in driver improvement programs.
