Federal employees are now prohibited from text messaging or “texting” while driving on government business according to a presidential executive order issued October 1, 2009. This order is meant to improve safety and save lives, as well as set an example to state and local governments, and private employers

The order prohibits texting or reading from any electronic device while driving, stopped in traffic, a traffic light, or stop sign. Federal employees are allowed to text if they pull off to the side of the road – as long as they are at a location where they may remain safely stationary (with or without the motor running).

This order applies to Federal employees as well as contractors who are performing services for the government, but exempts certain employees, communication devices, and vehicles “that are engaged in or used for protective, law enforcement or national security responsibilities or on the basis of other emergency conditions.”

Agency heads have 90 days to take necessary actions to implement the order by reevaluating existing programs, enacting new rules, and providing education to employees about the safety risks associated with texting while driving both on- and off-duty.