Feds urge states to ban driver use of cell phones, electronic devices except in emergencies

Christina Mora, WPTV, contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal accident investigators recommended states ban the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by all drivers except in emergencies.

Florida remains one of 15 states that does not ban texting and driving. While there have been a number of efforts and bills by Florida lawmakers, none have passed.

The National Transportation Safety Board's recommendation Tuesday followed a finding by the board that the initial collision in a deadly highway pileup in Missouri last year was caused by the inattention of a 19 year-old-pickup driver who sent or received 11 texts in the 11 minutes immediately before the accident.

The pickup driver and a 15-year-old student on one of the school buses were killed. Thirty-eight other people were injured.

The NTSB's recommendation makes an exception for use of phones and other devices in emergency situations.

The board doesn't have the power to impose regulations, but its recommendations carry significant weight with lawmakers.