Although several states have adopted laws limiting or banning the use of cell phones by drivers, this is the first time a national safety board has recommended a nationwide ban. Opponents of this recommendation say it would be too hard to enforce and impedes on the rights of drivers. Proponents of the ban say safety of all people on the road should be the priority. It is unclear whether or not the federal government will take the NTSB recommendation to heart and try to issue a nationwide ban.
Regardless if a nationwide ban is enacted, or Missouri alone changes their laws regarding cell phone use while driving, many fellow students of the young woman who lost her life in the accident (some who survived the accident themselves) have already pledged not to use their cell phones while driving.