Study: Texting Bans Don't Reduce Crashes
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It's illegal to text and drive in Philadelphia. The same holds true for the state of Delaware and New Jersey if they soon follow suit. But a new study shows the law may not be effective.
A new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute now claims texting bans don't reduce crashes. The findings were released at the annual meeting of the Governors Highway Safety Association.
"Texting bans haven't reduced crashes at all," said President of HLDI Adrian Lund. "In a perverse twist, crashes increased in three of the four states we studied after bans were enacted."
"It probably is ineffective, but still a good idea," said one Philadelphia man who asked to remain anonymous.
The study points out that some people who lower their phones when texting, to avoid police, actually increase the risk of getting into an accident.
Councilman Bill Green, who introduced the city's ban on cell phone use while driving, doesn't agree with these recent findings.
"It's illegal to text or talk on the phone in the city of Philadelphia and it's dangerous and people shouldn't do it," said Green.
Local AAA spokesman Rick Remington says last year more than 5,500 people died in the U.S. because of distracted driving.
"If you're using a cell phone, texting, eating, that also can result in fatalities and injuries," said Remington. "There should be a stigma attached to that."
For more information go to http://www.iihs.org/
Reported By: Jericka Duncan, CBS 3
