It is illegal to text when driving in numerous states. Yet a new study shows a different strategy may be needed. In states with text messaging when driving restrictions, vehicle crashes did not decrease. Traffic crashes, strangely enough, were up in some states with the ban. The Transportation Department called the study misleading as it worked to follow via with a national campaign to stamp out text messaging behind the wheel. Figuring out proper enforcement is the key, say insurance industry experts who have faith within the laws. Some who disagree think the regulations contribute further to the problem. To avoid being seen by police, text messaging drivers resort to ever more hazardous practices.
Text messaging on the road an intractable problem
A rise of much more than 16,000 traffic fatalities from 2001 to 2007 was attributed to texting when driving by a study made public by the American Journal of Public Health. 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 HLDI documented crash frequency and insurance claims immediately prior to and directly following the passage of anti-texting regulations in Washington, Minnesota, Louisiana and California. A perceptible boost in accidents emerged in three states.
Anti-texting laws could worsen the issue
The study proves that it’s clear texting drivers aren’t impressed by regulations alone. In specific, the texting generation is impervious to the ban, according to the Christian Science Monitor, which pointed out that in the study accidents increased for motorists 25 and younger in all four states. The reason accidents increased, according to the researchers, might be the restrictions. Drivers are holding phones in their laps to avoid getting spotted, which makes the diversion issue worse. The study was panned by DOT secretary Ray Lahood. In a statement, he said his department had proof that new laws can mitigate the problem of distracted driving. 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 problem.
Using technology to safely satisfy the texting desire
The ineffectualness of distracted travelling laws has shown that people are going to keep on texting regardless. Given that reality, Jared Newman at PC world offers a recommendation. Better technology could increase safety more than merely passing laws. Existing solutions contain text message dictation apps such as Google Voice for Android and Dragon Dictation for the iPhone. You will find also engineering innovations built to the latest automobiles. Newman mentioned MyFord Touch, a hands-free communications technology that minimizes distracted driving. Promoting engineering innovations, not simply passing regulations that cannot be enforce, could do more to lower the diversion of texting while driving.
Information from
ABC News
abcnews.go.com
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com
PC World
pcworld.com
