Study: Crash Rates Unchanged Despite Texting Bans

February 1, 2010

Washington - State laws banning drivers from operating cell phones have not resulted to fewer accidents, according to a study released on Friday by insurance group Highway Loss Data Institute.

The group examined the insurance claims from car crashes before and after the distracted driving bans in Washington, New York, California, and Connecticut. According to the findings, the number of people filing claims from crashes remained the same after the laws were enacted.

In a statement, the group said “the finding did not match the common perception on the risk of using cell phones while driving.”

The group said the “mismatch” could be explained by the increase in use of hands-free devices which are not covered by distracted driving bans even if some safety experts believe that these are as risky as any handheld phones.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in his blog posted on Friday that the new study is “irresponsible” and “misleading as people might think that talking on cell phones while driving is not dangerous.”

LaHood said the study “casts doubt on the reality” of distracted driving, adding that this “should not discourage strong nationwide efforts to ban cell phone use to make the roads safer.”

Currently, six states and the District of Columbia ban the use of handheld devices for all drivers, while 19 states and the District of Columbia ban drivers from texting, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association’s website.