Summit underway for distracted driving

A summit is underway in the nation's capitol to explore the dangers of distracted driving.

Some people are calling on the feds to ban texting or phone use while driving anywhere in the country.

Kelly Cline will never see her young son again.

A.J. was killed while texting and driving.

The reason his mother begs other drivers not to do it.

"I want to say to these people you have no idea you don't even know what you're doing," said Cline.

Texting while driving and other distractions like emailing have become a serious road hazard.

So much so that a "Distracted Driving Summit" is taking place in the nation's capitol.

6,000 people died in related crashes last year.

500,000 were injured.

Brian Reese tells us distracted drivers are to blame for many of the accidents he's called to in Buffalo.

"A lot of minor accidents a lot of major accidents too. I mean there was a tow truck driver not too long ago who drove into somebody's swimming pool," said Tow Truck Driver Brian Reese.

Some drivers don't even try to hide their distractions behind the wheel anymore.

News 4 asked State Police Captain Michael Nigrelli to watch for distracted drivers outside News 4 studios.

"I would say it's pretty blatant, people out there talking on cell phone. I just saw a girl texting and we're not even trying to hide ourselves," Nigrelli said.

AAA has a representative attending the Federal Summit in DC.

Shaun Seufert tells us the agency is advocating for a texting and driving ban in every country by the year 2013.

"Distracted driving is the second biggest concern of all motorists in New York State, that's only second to drunk driving," said Shaun Seufert of AAA of Western New York.

Cristen Chobol was nearly rear ended by a driver on his cell phone a few days ago.

One of many reasons she supports a federal ban aimed at distracted drivers.

"Intrusive maybe but if it's gonna keep the roads safer, keep school buses safer as my daughter's on one every day, then I'm all for it," said Cristen Chobol.