American auto manufacturers have set guidelines for designing cellular phones, navigation systems and other devices in cars, the Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition on Feb. 5. The guidelines, drafted by the trade group Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM), are to avoid government regulation, according to the Journal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a report last summer urging drivers not to use cellular phones while driving, describing the practice as a safety hazard. NHTSA is currently involved in a driver distraction study which could conceivably result in federal regulations on such devices. The AAM could be moving to preempt such legislation, according to some industry analysts. The Journal said NHTSA would not comment on the guidelines until the new Bush administration could look them over. The agency has said it could regulate cellular phones if these were built into dashboards, according to the Journal. "What we're trying to do is make sure that as new technology comes into vehicles, it's as safe as possible," the paper quoted Glora Bergquist, a spokeswoman for AAM, as saying. The traditional "Big Three" -- General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company and DaimlerChrysler AG -- are all members of AAM.