In an effort to cut down on car crashes, a number of states have banned texting while driving. Yet a new study shows a different approach may be needed. In states with text messaging when driving restrictions, auto accidents did not decrease. In some states the number of crashes really increased. A major initiative against texting when driving is being implemented by the DOT. It is no wonder the head of the agency called the study misleading. Traffic safety experts have said that whether or not the laws are effective depend on adequate enforcement. Some who disagree think the regulations contribute further to the problem. To avoid being seen by police, text messaging motorists make use of ever much more hazardous practices.
Text messaging driving remains
Traffic deaths connected to texting drivers, as a study released by the American Journal of Public Health found, jumped by 16,000 within the years 2001-’07. But ABC News reports that researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute found no reduction in auto accidents after texting while driving laws were enacted. The conclusions were drawn by comparing the rate of accidents and claims on insurance in California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington prior to and following the passage of texting when driving bans. A perceptible increase in crashes emerged in three states.
Driving restriction may motivate more risky text messaging
Most would believe that texting behind the wheel is irresponsible. But declaring bans alone will not make the streets safer, as the study indicates. The Christian Science Monitor reports that in all four states within the study, crashes increased among motorists 25 and under– the age group most associated with texting when driving. The researchers suggested the law compels texting drivers to hold their phones lower to stay away from being seen, which significantly increases the level of diversion. Ray Lahood, secretary of the Transportation Department, criticized the study. He released a statement saying research showed that distracted driving laws could reduce crashes. A ban on text messaging alone does nothing to cut back accidents, according to Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, who points out that numerous other factors contribute to distracted driving.
Alternative solutions to simply passing laws
Law or no law, Americans are going to text while driving. Jared Newman at PC World thinks technology is a better solution than laws that are ignored. Existing options consist of text message dictation apps for instance Google Voice for Android and Dragon Dictation for the iPhone. Automobile innovations like MyFord Touch, he writes, let drivers keep their eyes and also the road and their hands on the wheel as they use their phones. Helping make the public more aware of these technology options could do much more to reduce collisions, rather than passing laws that are largely ignored.
Information from
ABC News
abcnews.go.com
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com
PC World
pcworld.com
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