Federal Regulators Work With Auto Industry To Curb Distracted Driving

By David Madden

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Federal regulators are trying to come up with ways to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel and they're working with the auto industry to pull that off.

The emphasis is on the dashboard; to get rid of conveniences like manual texting, web browsing and video phoning.

You'd think dealers might balk at the idea seeing as they want to sell cars, and give buyers what they want.

Kevin Mazzacola with the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia says it'll be difficult to make everyone happy.

"The genie's out of the bottle and the consumers are demanding connectivity. Yet there has to be a safety aspect involved in that discussion," says Mazzacola.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has come up with a list of voluntary guidelines for automakers to follow.

Among them, a limit of six screen touches in 12 seconds to do anything from answering a hands free phone to changing the radio station.

The major automakers hope to phase in any changes over the next three model years.