A recent survey of 1,133 registered voters by Poll Position indicates about 49 percent favor a ban on the use of personal electronic devices while behind the wheel, while 44 percent oppose such a measure.

The ban proposal came from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), based on its analysis of the danger distracting electronics use can pose. The NTSB ban would cover the use of most devices, including hands-free cellphones and PDAs, although the NTSB did indicate exceptions might be made for emergency use and for GPS, since it is designed to assist in driving rather than serving as an unrelated activity.

Support for the ban was strongest among elderly respondents. About 60 percent of them favored it, compared to one-third who opposed the ban. The measure would be a sweeping one compared to current state laws. Virginia state laws penalize text messaging and, in some cases, cell phone use. Some other states have similar laws, but none has an outright ban on the use of most or all personal electronic devices while behind the wheel. Many states treat noncompliance with such bans as a secondary, rather than primary, offense, thereby limiting penalties.

According to the NTSB, distracted driving accidents caused more than 3,000 fatalities in 2010. Distracted driving causes an unknown number of non-fatal accidents as well, causing injuries and property damage. It likely contributes to higher auto insurance rates across the nation.