Feds: Ignore that post about banning driver cell phone use

Briefly Monday, it looked like the federal government was going to push all 50 states to ban the use of cell phones and other wireless devices while people are driving.

But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration now says it was all a mistake.

The agency posted non-binding guidelines on distracted driving for states on a federal website Monday morning. The guidelines recommended that states prohibit use of hands-free as well as hand-held devices. State laws control use of phones by drivers.

But the agency says the guidelines were not fully reviewed before being posted and would be withdrawn. The agency says it has no plans to recommend a cell phone ban.

The documents were posted on a website that previews actions to be published in the Federal Register.