New laws aimed at forbidding motorists from using hand-held cell phones or texting while driving may not be reducing car accidents, The Wall Street Journal reported.
As previously reported by our New York City car accident lawyers, New York passed a law in the fall that makes it illegal for drivers to text message, use e-mail or surf the Internet while driving. Drivers face a $150 fine if caught using a cell phone while committing another traffic infraction.
However, a new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute, a division of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, looked at claims' data in states, both before and after such bans took effect.
In New York, the group found collision claims decreased compared to other states but that the decrease started before the state's cellphone ban began.
The U.S. Department of Transportation criticized the findings in a statement, saying "It is irresponsible to suggest that laws banning cell phone use while driving have zero effect on the number of crashes on our nation's roadways."
A University of Utah study found that using a cell phone while driving can be as dangerous as driving drunk.
The new study by the Insurance Institute does not show whether drivers were using a cell phone at the time of the accident. But the group contents the reduction in cell phone use is substantial in states that have passed laws. Yet, despite distracted driving being a primary cause of car accidents, an anticipated significant reduction in traffic accidents is not yet apparent.
"It doesn't augur well for any safety payoff from all the new laws that ban phone use and texting while driving," said Insurance Institute President. Adrian Lund."The laws aren't reducing crashes, even though we know that such laws have reduced hand-held phone use."
The study by the Virgina Tech Transportation Institute found drivers were several times more likely to be involved in an accident while using a cell phone and up to 23 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident while text messaging.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a traffic accident, call the New York City car accident attorneys at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 866-LifeLaw (866-543-3529).
