As advancements in technology bring more options inside motor vehicles, state legislators are seeking to balance the benefits to drivers with safety concerns. The National Conference of State Legislatures announced March 19 it has entered into a partnership with interested stakeholders to help provide state legislators and their senior staff with policy options as they examine safety issues related to telecommunications technology in motor vehicles. The "Telematics Project" will focus on wireless technologies used in motor vehicles, including cell phones, fax machines, navigation systems, computers and emergency response systems. "Experts predict that by 2010, the global market for telematics technology will be as high as $50 billion," said NCSL Executive Director William Pound. "With this type of financial impact, state legislators will need to understand the policy, safety and technology issues at stake in order to make informed decisions." Many states already have considered bills to regulate the use of telecommunications technology in motor vehicles. Matt Sundeen, NCSL project director, said there are approximately 100 bills in 38 states this year alone, compared with 27 states in 2000 and 15 in 1999. Since 1995, 45 states have considered legislation, he said. Three states, California, Florida and Massachusetts, impose minor restrictions on cell phones and driving. As part of this new partnership, NCSL will convene forums to discuss policy options to assist state legislators as they weigh the benefits of telematics technology against driver distractions. The forum will include legislators, legislative staff, and representatives from the telecommunications industry, motor vehicle manufacturers, insurance companies, government regulators, law enforcement officials and traffic safety advocates. NCSL will establish a database to track state legislation on the subject and issue a report on the project's findings when the partnership's work is completed. Partners in the project to date include U.S. Sprint, Cingular Wireless, General Motors Corporation, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures. The first policy forum will be held June 12-13 in Kansas City. For more information about the project, contact Matt Sundeen at 303-830-2200.