Auditor General Jack Wagner today ordered his employees not to text-message while driving state vehicles or personal vehicles for work-related activities.

Mr. Wagner said he was taking action because of concerns about the safety risks posed by distracted drivers. A federal study found that texting while driving significantly increases the risk of causing a crash or near crash, even more so than driving while intoxicated.

"As a safety engineer by training, I've spent my life looking for ways to keep people safer. There is no doubt in my mind that texting while driving increases the risk of vehicle accidents, and I will do all in my power to keep our roads safe,"Mr. Wagner said.

Legislation is pending in Congress and the state Legislature to ban texting while driving. President Barack Obama issued an order last month prohibiting texting while driving for federal employees.

First Published: October 14, 2009, 9:00 p.m.