WASHINGTON, D.C. — The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling for a nationwide ban on the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs), including hands-free cell phones, while operating a motor vehicle.

The recommendation calls for the complete ban of PEDs (phones, laptops, tablets, etc.) in non-emergency situations by drivers of vehicles in the 50 US states as well as DC. It is the first recommendation of its kind, the NTSB claims.

“According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents,” said chair Deborah A.P. Hersman. “It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving.”

The NTSB pointed out a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study of commercial drivers found a safety-critical event is 163 times more likely to occur if a driver is texting, e-mailing or surfing the Internet.

“The data is clear; the time to act is now,” Hersman said. “How many more lives will be lost before we, as a society, change our attitudes about the deadliness of distractions.”