Article 15 New hazard: Driving while wired

Lawmakers in a dozen (12 ) states are trying to ban drivers from using video games, computers and fax machines in cars in a new wave of driver-distraction legislation. Since January,states including Texas, New York and Arizona have considered bills that would limit the use of care electronics that go far beyond cells- phones. According to the National conference of State Legislatures. Most bills would require violators to pay fines ranging from $50.00 to $600.00. So far, only one of this year's proposals has been enacted in Tennessee. States also are trying to track how much of a threat electronic gadgets such as ipods and front-seat movie screens pose to safety. Statistics are scarce because it's difficult for police to determine whether an accident was caused by distraction in the car, but legislators say electronics clearly are grabbing drivers attention.