ing is no difference in the pattern of collision claims. Nor were any differences apparent when the researchers applied a time-based regression model to claims data for each of the study and comparison jurisdictions.
Lund cited factors that might be eroding the effects of hand-held phone bans on crashes. One is that drivers in jurisdictions with such bans may be switching to hands-free phones because no U.S. state currently bans all drivers from using such phones. In
this case crashes wouldn’t go down because the risk is about the same, regardless of whether the phones are hand-held or hands-free.
Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia do prohibit beginning drivers from using any type of phone, including hands-free, but such laws are difficult to enforce. This was the finding in North Carolina, where teenage drivers didn’t curtail phone use in response to a ban, in part because they didn’t think the law was
“Whatever the reason, the key finding is that crashes aren’t going down where hand-held phone use has been banned,” Lund pointed out. “This finding doesn’t auger well for any safety payoff from all the new laws that ban phone use and texting while driving.”
■
BOSTON — The American Insurance Association (AIA) recently commended the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation for its favorable report of a bill that would ban texting while driving in the Commonwealth.
“Driving requires constant and undivided attention and AIA commends the Committee for taking this important step forward in driver safety,” said John Murphy, AIA Northeast Region vice president.
He added, “AIA supports legislative efforts to ban texting while driving at the federal and state levels of government and believes the measures outlined in this legislation, if enforced and complied with, will reduce crashes, injuries, fatalities and unnecessary economic costs for Massachusetts residents.”
The bill would prohibit texting by all drivers and would also prohibit junior operators (under 18) or those operating vehicles in public transportation from using a mobile telephone, hands free phone or mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
The legislation also would levy fines and penalties for violations of these prohibitions.
Nakeesha Warner at
“This bill would align Massachusetts with of a growing number states that are enacting texting bans and cell phone restrictions. AIA hopes this measure will be supported by the full House when it comes up for a vote later this legislative session,” concluded Murphy.
References:
Archives