In an effort to cut down on vehicle crashes, several states have banned texting while driving. Yet a new study shows a different approach might be needed. In states with texting while travelling restrictions, vehicle crashes did not decrease. Traffic incidents, strangely enough, were up in some states with the ban. The Transportation Department called the study misleading as it worked to follow through with a national campaign to stamp out text messaging behind the wheel. Some driving safety experts said results will become evident with better enforcement of the law. Others think the law leads to even more hazardous texting practices by drivers trying to avoid detection.
Texting drivers still cause havoc
Texting when driving increased auto fatalities by more than 16,000 between 2001 and 2007, according to a study published within the American Journal of Public Health. Yet according to ABC News, texting while driving laws have yet for making a difference. Highway Loss Data Institute research shows no drop in car accidents within the time since the restrictions went into effect. Researchers calculated rates of crashes and insurance claims before and after texting when driving was banned in California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington. That crash rates held steady was not the only surprise. In three states, the crashes increased slightly.
Restrictions may boost security threat from texting addicts
The study proves that it’s obvious texting motorists aren’t amazed by laws alone. The Christian Science Monitor reports that in all four states within the study, incidents increased among motorists 25 and under– the age group most associated with texting while driving. The reason accidents increased, according to the researchers, might be the restrictions. Motorists are holding phones in their laps to stay away from getting spotted, which makes the diversion problem worse. The study was panned by DOT secretary Ray Lahood. He released a statement saying research showed that distracted driving laws could reduce crashes. However, Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said trying to enforce a ban on a single practice as a solution leaves out a number of contributing factors that exacerbate the issue.
Considering a different approach from regulations
Texting drivers have not been fascinated by laws alone. Because laws are being ignored, Jared Newman at PC World said technology will make texting drivers safer. He mentions Google Voice for Android that includes text message dictation, and the Dragon Dictation app for Apple’s 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. Promoting engineering innovations, not simply passing laws that cannot be enforce, might do much more to reduce the distraction of texting when driving.
Citations
ABC News
abcnews.go.com
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com
PC World
pcworld.com
