Texting when driving is prohibited by law in a number of states. Even so, vehicle incidents did not go down in states that have banned texting behind the wheel. After the bans went into effect in some states, auto incidents became even much more frequent. A major initiative against text messaging while driving is being implemented by the Department of Transportation. 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. Others think the law leads to even more hazardous texting practices by drivers trying to keep away from detection.
Texting while driving proceeds to kill
Traffic deaths connected to text messaging motorists, 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. That crash rates held steady was not the only surprise. In three states, the accidents increased slightly.
Driving restriction might encourage much more dangerous text messaging
The study proves that it is clear texting drivers aren’t amazed by regulations alone. In specific, the texting generation is impervious to the restriction, as outlined by the Christian Science Monitor, which pointed out that within the study collisions increased for drivers 25 and younger in all four states. The reason collisions increased, as outlined by the researchers, may be the restrictions. Drivers are holding phones in their laps to avoid getting spotted, which makes the distraction issue worse. Ray Lahood, secretary of the Transportation Department, criticized the study. In a statement, he said his department had proof that new laws can mitigate the problem of distracted driving. But Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said laws focusing on a single aspect of distracted driving ignore the entire scope of distractions and rely on a ban to solve the whole problem.
A engineering answer when laws fall short
Law or no law, Americans will text when driving. Jared Newman at PC World thinks technology is a better solution than laws that are ignored. Existing options contain text message dictation apps for instance Google Voice for Android and Dragon Dictation for the iPhone. He wrote that cutting edge car engineering such as MyFord Touch allow drivers to communicate while they pay attention to their travelling. Instead of passing unenforceable laws, perhaps the government could promote collaboration between automakers and technology businesses, also as boost public awareness that such possibilities are accessible.
Information from
ABC News
abcnews.go.com
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com
PC World
pcworld.com
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