Verizon Wireless Supports Efforts To Ban Texting And E-Mailing While Driving

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — On the eve of the first-ever Distracted Driving Summit, hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., Verizon Wireless today reiterated its industry-leading position on using handheld wireless devices while driving.

The company supports state and federal legislation to ban texting and e-mailing while driving and has been the only wireless service provider to support state-wide legislation requiring drivers to use hands-free devices while talking, starting in 2001 in Illinois. Verizon Wireless has been credited by California State Assemblyman Joe Simitian with helping him enact the nation’s first state-wide texting ban.

Steven E. Zipperstein, Verizon Wireless vice president and general counsel, noted “Because using wireless devices while driving can distract drivers, we wholeheartedly support the Department of Transportation and RITA as they delve into this important topic, share best-practices and consider policy options. We take this issue seriously, and are proud to be far ahead of our wireless competitors in advocating policies that help drivers keep their hands off their phones and on their steering wheels.”

Verizon Wireless has supported both federal and state legislation banning both texting and e-mailing while driving, including the ALERT Act, introduced by U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Kay Hagan (D-NC) in July 2009.

Verizon Wireless’ own policies require employees to use hands-free devices if they choose to talk on their mobile phones while driving and forbid texting and e-mailing while driving.

For more information on Verizon Wireless’ responsible driving practices, please visit www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/overview.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

####