Should NTSB Consider Banning All Cell Phone Use While Driving?

The National Transportation Safety Board is urging states to ban drivers from all cell phone use behind the wheel of a car, including the use of wireless and hands-free calling devices.

In a New York Times story Wednesday, the federal agency said the increasing number of accidents due to "electronic distraction" contributed to the decision to recommend the ban.

According to the Times, nine states now ban the use of hand-held phones, and 35 states ban texting by drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state traffic agencies. New Hampshire bans texting while driving but not cell phone use. Charges related to cell phone use can be levied against a driver under the state's blanket distracted driving law.

The ban is non-binding, meaning states are not required to adopt it, and  Democratic State Sen. Joe Simitian, of California, told the Times he thought it was unlikely a law banning complete use of cell phones in cars would happen in his lifetime.